[bulletbob]

The vast majority of us have stood in your shoes, you really aren't alone... We understand the awful feeling and extreme sadness you are dealing with.
It will pass in time..
I am 59, and have buried beloved pets way too many times... It got to the point that about about 9 or so years ago, I swore off having dogs anymore.. just could not deal with the grief when they had to be put down... I said ,we'll just stick with our cats.. However, although they do live longer than dogs, they inevitably get old and die, or get so sick and feeble they must be put down.. I went through it again in May.. Had to put down 2 of our beloved kitties, a mother and daughter that have been with us for about 17 years, cuddling with us, sleeping in the same bed at times, etc.. I placed them together in a sheet and buried them snuggled close together.. They went into eternity they way they went through life.. Mother and daughter cuddled up close together.. It didn't matter 1 bit that they were "only cats", I was just as heartbroken as I was with the dogs, maybe more..
As you can see, pets are pets.. We love them while they are here with us, and are heartbroken and devsatated when we must say goodbye.

You sound like you have a heart for God's creatures and thats a good thing.

You can do like I did, swear off dogs to try and never experience the hurt again, but you probably will anyway even if you "substitute" one pet for another... Its your heart that gets broken, because it has that soft spot for pets.. In time, you may want to give another animal a great home, like you gave the beloved friend that just left your wonderful home and went on to the Rainbow Bridge.
Our 4 legged pals NEED men like you to care for them.


Meantime ,please take some small comfort in that fact that we all really do understand, as we have lived through exactly what you have just lived through and its unpleasant to say the least.. You'll be ok before too long.....
I wish you and those you love all the best...bob