I lost my dog best friend of 13 years today.

[MissKat]

51. Of course this hurts!

Nike wasn't just a pet, he was your buddy. He could be trusted and his love was faithful.

You are allowed to grieve. Let those tears fall.

Then, when you're ready, do something in his memory. When my 22-year old cat, Otto, passed-- I sent a donation to "Hope for Paws" in his memory. Find a favorite photo and have it frames with some of the hair you clipped. On the back of the photo write out a short bio of his life.

Pets can add such joy to life.

It's why it hurts when they go over the rainbow bridge. My favorite Twilight Zone is the one where an elderly man and his dog have an accident and the man and dog find themselves on a road. The man comes to an amazing estate, but is told that his dog can't go in. The man says thanks for the invite, but I won't go if my dog can't. He keeps going down the road and St. Pete welcomes him with open arms and tells him his dog is welcome, too.

Because that's my idea of heaven, someplace where my good buddies will be waiting.