Dogs in mourning

Question
I purchases a brother and sister from the same litter about 18 months ago and they have been inseparable, they have never been apart or had to be alone.  Quite suddenly, yesterday, our little girl was hit by a car and died. Naturally we are all devastated and I am quite worried about her brother.  I don't even want to leave the house as he has never had to be alone. My question is how long should we wait or do we wait at all to get him a friend, and if you do recommend to wait how do we help him adjust to being alone.  He seems to be okay, and he is still eating but he must be feeling her absence, I'm grateful for any insight that you might have on the subject.

Answer
Hi Donna-

I'm so sorry for your loss. The best thing to do for your boy right now is to just keep an eye on him. I am sure that he realizes she is gone, but it may take as long as a week for it to really sink in and at that point he may become depressed or a little despondent. Yes, another dog may help him, he will still look for his sister but he will be distracted by a new dog. If your dog is just fine with other dogs, you do not need to wait at all to bring in another, it would be whenever YOU are ready, but don't feel it necessary to rush into getting a new pet when you have just lost your little girl.

Good luck, and again, I'm very sorry for your loss.