I lost my beloved Toby, a 19 year old orange tabby, last summer and I know I am still not "over it". I can't talk about him without crying, but it is slowly getting better.
I understand your boyfriends hesitation, I can't think about getting another animal right now. One day I think I will, but I'm not ready yet.
What seems odd to me is that you have one pet already, why is adding one more so hard?
I don't have the answers, but wanted to share that we each grieve in our own way and one day your bf will be ready again.
Hugs