They aren't pets....they are family! I had to have my greyhound put down about eighteen months ago and it still hurts. His arthritis had gotten the best of him that he could no longer even get up. I took the day off work and just spent it with him knowing my friends time had come.
Look up the Rainbow Bridge and read it....read it a couple of times It helped me through it and pulled up some great memories I had with my big guy.