Mr. Don, I've been there way too many times myself over my short 69 years of having and loving those critters. No need to try and tell you that she won't leave a hole in your heart now that she' gone but that hole can be filled with the good memories that you have of her while she was enriching your lives. Here's part of a poem I wrote after my old dog named Snowtoes died. I thought I would share a few verses with you.

I lost a friend today
and I am hurting more than you know
you say she was just an animal
so why not let it go?

Just an animal? are you crazy
she was a friend of mine
a loving and loyal companion
that filled a space in time

Altho my heart is aching
and feels like it will break
I'd do it all again, my friend
because knowing her was great