When I was a child I had a dog that I dearly loved...
My Mother was mentally-ill and hospitalized off and on all my years growing up.... If it had not been for my wonderful "Lady" (my dog) I may have ended up like her...I realize now as an adult how much a pet can take up the slack, so to speak, for vital things you don't get from family members.
I'll try to keep this short.
When I was in the fourth grade, my Mother once again was institutionalized & my Father gave my precious Lady to one of his Buddies and left me and my two older sister with his parents (our Grandparents), that lived on a farm in the country. Now I had no-one. I stopped going places and if not at school I sat in front of the tv. This lasted for 2 yrs. during this time, my Grandfather told me if I wanted to see Lady he would take me. I was so excited, I jumped up and went. When I got there she was not the dog I had known. She was the center of this family that had several children and a swimming pool. She live in the house with them and was adored. She didn't even act as if she knew who I was. I think that day is the day I decided I was totally unworthy..something was so bad about me that no one could possibly ever want me.
I never ever considered having another dog for years. Never even got my son a pet while he grew up. It just never occurred to me. I realized why about a year ago, when I knew inside I should get a dog for myself for companionship... I was afraid to love another dog the way I had Lady.
I got a little dog, his name is peanut, and I'm his mum.... I love him and he takes up a lot of the slack.. just like Lady did.
I told you this story so you might consider getting yourself a dog or cat maybe. No.. a pet cannot take the place of a spouse or children or friends.. But there is nothing like it and I don't know how to describe the feeling. I just love him and know how much more lonely than I am now, I would be, without him.
Maybe you could try again and love another dog.. Take a chance.