Article on the death of a dog (or any pet)
"Many times, I’ve had friends guiltily confide to me that they grieved more over the loss of a dog than over the loss of friends or relatives. Research has confirmed that for most people, the loss of a dog is, in almost every way, comparable to the loss of a human loved one. Unfortunately, there’s little in our cultural playbook – no grief rituals, no obituary in the local newspaper, no religious service – to help us get through the loss of a pet, which can make us feel more than a bit embarrassed to show too much public grief over our dead dogs.
Perhaps if people realized just how strong and intense the bond is between people and their dogs, such grief would become more widely accepted. This would greatly help dog owners to integrate the death into their lives and help them move forward.
......
Psychologist Julie Axelrod has pointed out that the loss of a dog is so painful because owners aren’t just losing the pet. It could mean the loss of a source of unconditional love, a primary companion who provides security and comfort, and maybe even a protégé that’s been mentored like a child.
https://theconversation.com/why-losing-a-dog-can-be-harder-than-losing-a-relative-or-friend-68207
= new reply since forum marked as read
In many ways more painful, because so many humans don't understand it, don't respect it, and fully discount it.
"it hurts deep." 
so ban me for posting pic to GD,, this is the pic of Tess and Ethyl
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I think it may be harder even than family members because the love and devotion offered is so pure and unconditional. My little girl (not that little--40-ish lbs) turned into a lap dog at the end. I'd put my feet up and she would sleep on my chest, with her head under my chin, or at night curled up next to my shoulder. I'm crying as I think about it. The saving grace--the last gift she gave us--was that she chose her time. She was doing OK, eating, going for walks, even occasionally chasing the ball she could barely see...and then one day she just stopped. Too weary to do any more, she just lay down. We knew she would not get up again, so the vet came and the shaman, and we helped her on her way.
Sixteen years of having a little "trailer" at my heels--when I wanted to mess with her I would walk in circles around the dining room table--and then suddenly so quiet.
it's so hard to get over the death of a beloved animal companion, they're a member of the family.
