It devastated me the very first time when one of my dad's hunting dogs passed away when I was a child, and also when I lost the most recent one, earlier this year...
If you truly love another being, the missing of them is something which can lessen, but I think you never truly get over it. When you are reminded of the person, pet, etc., you are freshly aware of the loss.
It is especially so for losing a being dependent upon you: a child, a pet, etc.
Thank you for sharing this very personal pain. I hope you see that othets care for your loss, and also have had their own such experiences.
