Lonely, Quiet House

Warning-LONG post ahead!
As I type this, it still doesn't feel real, like I'm reading about someone else's pain. In July, 2010, my husband and I lost our first (of 3) dogs, Bugsy. He was 8 yrs. old, a boxer, with a very progressive heart murmur. He passed away in my arms and didn't seem to suffer as he didn't show any signs of being in pain at all. We got Bugsy after my brother passed away in 2004 and his wife decided she could no longer care for him. He was such a happy, loving dog. He even made our other two dogs (both lab mixes, 12 yrs. old) seem more youthful being around him. He brought smiles wherever he went. To say we were heartbroken when he passed so suddenly would be an understatement.
Fast forward to September, 2011, when Linus (our male lab mix and brother to Lucy, our female lab mix) was diagnosed with lymphoma. We decided to do whatever we could to extend his life for as long as possible as long as his quality of life was good. Because he was 14 at he time and our finances were limited, this meant putting him on prednisone and converting his food to a raw food diet-which he absolutely loved! We were fortunate enough to have 4 more months with him before his quality of life declined to he point where we felt like we were being selfish by keeping him here. We called our vets office and because they know all of our pets so well and they know that we will always do what's best for them, they came to our house to put him down. It was very peaceful and we were all right there with him when he went, so there was no fear at all. That was January 7th.
A week ago yesterday, February 18th, we had to put our girl Lucy down. Lucy had had health problems from the day we brought her home from the humane society. Whether it was ear infections, liver problems, heart murmur, you name it, the poor dog always had something going on. Back in November, we noticed a lump growing on her back right next to her spine. When we took her in to have them look at it, the X-rays revealed what appeared to be cancer. At the same time, they found a couple of masses in her chest that they were a lot more concerned about, but because she was 14, they wouldn't operate on her because they were afraid of losing her during the operation. She had started getting a cough about 4 weeks ago that made her sound like she had smoked for 20 years,the vet said it was probably related to the masses in her chest. Last Saturday, she started coughing up saliva mixed with blood. By the time we got her to the vet, it was all blood. At that point, we felt to was best to put her down because there really wasn't anything the vet could do for her, without being able to operate.
We got Lucy and Linus from the humane society when we went in looking for ONE dog. They were in the kennel together and we were told they were brother and sister. We didn't want to separate them but because we were living with my husbands parents at the time, we were only able to take one, so we took Linus because he was shaking and absolutely terrified to be there. We made a promise to Lucy that we would find her a home. Two weeks went by and we couldn't find anyone who wanted her, so when I called that afternoon to see if anyone else had adopted her, they told me no and that "today is her day", meaning they would put her down. I told them I would be down after work to get her. We went to get her and promised my in-laws that we would find a home for her. We got our own house 6 months later.
When I say our lives are empty without our dogs, it is not exaggeration. We don't have kids, so our dogs were our "kids". Our house feels empty, quiet, lonely, and so big without them. We built so much of our lives around them. I know now how empty nesters must feel when the kids go away to college, only I can't call and ask when they're coming home to do laundry or have dinner! We are really lost right now. It feels like our house is haunted. Everywhere I turn I see memories. I don't even want to go in the backyard.
We also have guilt for wanting to travel and have a little time to ourselves.
We are VERY blessed to have friends and family who understand what they all meant to us and have offered sympathies, friendship, etc.
Sometimes I feel lie I'm going crazy or losing my mind, other times, I feel like I can't breathe. Then, I have moments when I am able to block it all out and focus on other things going on in our lives.
Thanks in advance for reading my post. I really want other furry kid owners who have lost a pet, I know what you're going through and you're never alone!