Aubrey -- I am not as good with words as I would like but found some that are: "
As with any loss, you don’t really get over it. You get through it and assimilate the experience, so that the life and death of the one you love becomes part of your life story—part of what makes you uniquely you." This is a quote from a site that might provide some comfort:
http://www.explorefaith.org/lifelines/pet.html Several thoughts there spoke to my heart and may be they will yours too. This one helped too: "
Since I believe that animals who die move into God’s care, I encourage people feeling guilt to simply offer that to God as their confession and ask for forgiveness. From the heavenly perspective, both God and the animal can see our hearts and understand where we are coming from. They are no longer in pain, and they don’t want us in pain either. St. Paul says that love never ends, and I believe that is true. Our animals love us after death, even as we love them. They are at peace, and we are forgiven."