I remember I thought I would die of grief when my little dogs died. They are like our children. I called my brother. He had just lost a dog the year before, and I asked him what to do, because the loss hurt so badly. He told me to go out and buy a puppy. I did. That actually did help me to get over the terrible grief I still feel today, missing them. It keeps your mind occupied with a new "baby".
I am not saying to do what I did. I just wanted to let you know that there is a way to blunt the pain if you need it.