I really struggled dealing with the loss of my last cat (had 5 over the years, and the grief each time seemed harder to cope with rather than easier). I actually rang the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Line, and that helped me - they were so understanding. He was not "just a pet" just an animal" he was my companion and friend. Two years on and I still cry about him sometimes (well for all of them), but the pain lessens gradually. Harder in a way with a dog, since your life is structured around their needs for exercise, etc., whereas cats just "do their thing" and you fit in around them!