I had a GSD like that, my dad was afraid to discipline me, not that I ever did anything that I needed to be disciplined for...This is true. I have had one cat that is just irreplaceable. He was an alpha male & I was totally his person. He was so protective of me the man said he feared for his life.Sudden blood clot & we couldn't save him. It was devastating. I am always astounded by the trust animals give us. My present boys were dumped in the trash before they were even weaned. I have never understood it. They have wonderful personalities & are very, very loving.
I've been pretty depressed after the loss of especially a couple of my pets...didn't think I would ever want another one! Right now we don't have any dogs or cats and we don't have any plans to get anymore, but sometimes I would love to have a new pup and kitten...sometimes!
Not really a surprise & I didn't say anything because it is such a downer when someone loses a bird. She was one of my older girls [though not ancient by any means] with a nasty personality so the flock as a whole was more relieved than anything else. Mhari was different. 
She's since had quite a personality change becoming very assertive & loud, even flying up @ the gate when I go to let them out. She has always buddied up with the BRs & @ night the bantams but even so seems to be really missing her sister. She also seems to have asserted her position in the pecking order, almost as if she's taken on some of her sister's less desirable characteristics.
I only get that sort of behaviour when the girls first arrive but I will point out, the rest of us commenting are female. I have no idea why that would make a difference but I suspect it might.
