I still have trouble when the phone rings because of waiting for "the call" about my Dad (so when I moved I got a phone that I could program the ring tone to be different from what I was use to). Can you write something about your aunt that might help you? I had an aunt who died and I wrote a piece (about me :-) starting from my first memory of her and up through the years, how she had influenced me and what "lived on" in me because of her. It gave me a little more comfortable feeling of closure and/or connection to her. I have an item or two from other aunts, either things they've given me or that I asked for, simple things (a couple interesting glasses from her kitchen in one case) that remind me of them when I look at/use the objects.

I'm glad you're going to ask your family to have your dog checked out. I had a boss ask me to accompany her with her family's pet to the vet and I didn't quite get it (we worked out of her basement, just the two of us) but now I understand how important it is to have others help us with the experience if possible.