Hi Staci,
The grieving process/recovery process is the same with cat owners. We lost our beloved Valentine three years ago, and it did take us a year to grieve and finally decide we wanted to have another cat. Well, it turned out that we got four cats!!! I know most people want to rescue pets from a shelter or pick them up from the "want ads" and that's a good thing, no question. However, I urge people to be open about getting a purebred animal. Our four babies came to us from three different breeders. All came with papers, and the best thing about it is that all of them came with perfect manners and behavior. These were cats that were kept in a cattery (like a kennel, large place w/separate rooms for cats) and had some human contact but not a lot. The breeders were absolutely delighted to find a home for these cats so they could have a lot more human interaction. I didn't care whether or not I got purebred cats or which color or which sex, all I wanted was cats to love and hug and spoil, and that's exactly what I got. In addition to some lovely and very well-behaved pets, I got three very good sources of advice and help with cat illnesses, food choices, etc. because breeders keep in touch with those who adopt their cats and they are wonderful sources of information, even at 10 PM when your cat is throwing up or has diarrhea .
One of the four cats now lives with my Mom in Virginia; the only male cat couldn't get along with the dominant female so the breeder took him back and he now has a wonderful home in NJ; that left us with Bo and Abby, and Abby got sick last June and is now at the rainbow bridge. Bo is here with us and she is such a spoiled priss, but every bit a lady and probably the best pet I've ever owned. (excuse me, she owns me I think!) I've been able to find cats for other friends through the cat breeder network, and if I ever wanted another cat or cats, all it would take would be one E-mail and I'd have multiple offers of adult "retired friends" as they are called in the business.
You've done the right thing and I know the puppy will have a wonderful home