Lee, I am so sorry for your loss and the hurt. As an adult I have lost 2 Bichons, a dog I had growing up as a child (I told everyone he followed me home - pretty sure I coaxed him
) that continued to live with my parents and just 14 mths ago my 18 yr old Siamese male -- it is so agonizing, and it is so hard for others around you to understand the pain you're in unless they have loved like that.
I hope stories like the one on the Today Show help bring to light how difficult it is, so those without pets can understand