Sort of catching up with thread. JustMe, when my old dog died, I cried for three weeks. When my dad died, I had something in my eye on the day of his funeral. My current dog is now showing his age, and I don't even like to think about how sad I'll be when he goes. I've always felt I've got more positives out of my relationships with my dogs than out of the ones with my parents.
Crem, well done on surviving thus far without braining your dm with a heavy object. Reminds me: I last shared a bed with my mother in France in about 1972. She kicked me out of bed and on to the floor and made me sleep there, as my fidgeting was annoying her. That was her take on co-sleeping 
BD, sorry you didn't get the job - but it sounds as though you weren't convinced it was for you. Hope something else a bit closer comes up soon.
Hatty, sorry to hear dd2 is huffing and puffing about her lecturers. Hope she finds her equilibrium soon.
Beachy, I kept ds filled with what was happening with dd. Which lead to him having relaxed chats with his schoolfriends and then coming home and saying things like, "Well, at least we don't have to have family therapy like A's family." Or "B's big brother needs anger management and her mum is Really Stressed. Like you." He dealt with everything a lot better once he was properly in the loop and given licence to talk about his own feelings on the matter.
Rose, I'm so glad the play reading was such a great success. Well done!!