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I would add the following: don't deny your feelings of grief over the loss of your beloved pet. And don't allow anyone to undermine that grief with commments like: "it's only an animal" or with advice to immediately get another pet as "replacement." Grief experienced over the loss of a pet is no different from grief experienced over loss of a human loved one. Allow yourself to experience the various stages of grief; in doing so you will be able to come to terms with the loss of your dear companion.