Oh, this thread is so heartwrenching.
Gaige and SnackTime, I am very sorry for both of your losses and for how raw things must feel right now.
I lost my beloved pet rabbit two years ago in April and he really was like a best friend. He was there in times when no one else was, and was too smart for his own good. He drove me freakin' batty trying to chew my apartment down, but he was also incredibly loving. He always knew when I was upset and would sit on my pillow and lick my tears.
I still miss him and still have times of intense pain. It catches me by surprise, actually. He died in a fire when I was moving into a new apartment. I moved him in the day before we would be moving the large furniture because I was trying to protect him from being in the way and possibly getting hurt. Unfortunately, my new apartment burned down that night. I have horrific guilt about that and even though I logically know it's not my fault I still question myself over what if I had done something differently he would still be alive and wouldn't have had to die like that alone and scared in a new place. God, I hate it so much.
I think people who don't own pets can never understand just how real that connection of love and friendship is. Big, big hugs to everyone in this thread.
