Its tough losing a dog (thats why I'll never have another one).  You are in my thoughts.   Keep your chin up.

Thanks so much once again.

Charlotte, you are right that right now it feels like it will never get better.  I am sitting here in tears for the hundredth time today/tonight, and the crazy thing is that I haven't really slept in 3 days (3 hours 1 night and 45 minutes or so last night), so I should be zonked out, but I just feel too sad/upset to even sleep.  I wish more than anything in the world that I could go back and have more time with him, relive some of those good times.  Hug him one more time.  I don't think I'll ever forget the look in his eyes as he died today.  My mom said she doesn't think he was scared or that he knew.  I sure hope not.  We just kept talking to him. 

Ah I feel like I am losing it.  I'm sure it will get easier over time, but it sure doesn't feel like it will right now.  It's worse than any physical pain I have ever suffered by a long shot.  And there is no chance in the world that I can ever fix it.   

Thanks again.  I know it's always worse at night, especially in the beginning.  I kept thinking I was hearing him in the kitchen today.  When I think about the reality that he is gone for good, that he will never be in this house again, that we can never touch him again, I start to really lose it.

I guess somehow we get through it.  I've faced a lot of loss of loved ones in my life, and many of them have been extremely difficult.  Losing Jake is truly a huge blow.  I guess it's because he was so happy, so good, and loved us unconditionally and trusted us completely.  He was happy until the moment he died and so full of love.  I guess that God can only spare such a wonderful creature for a short time on this earth before calling him home.

Love,
Carrie 

Carrie, I know what you mean when you said it is worse than any physical pain, we have been through it with four of our beloved cats over the years.
Yes, time heals, but it seems like for the first few days that there is no way we can live without them, but somehow we do survive and move on.
I have all our cats (past and present) in a picture frame on our wall and every once in a while I will stop and look at them and even to this day I tell the one's that have left us how much they meant to us and how it still hurts when I think about them.
I pray you will heal from the loss of Jake, but it does take time and he had the best home a pet could ever ask for.
My deepest sympathy's Carrie for your loss.

 Barry