I recently read this little story and thought of you:

"And after He created woman, the Lord felt that she and the man should not be alone. He thus called forth one among the beasts of the field and spoke to it, saying:
"From hence forth shall you be drawn to follow the man and the woman, to to follow their children throughtout all generations. You shall be companion and slave, playfellow and comrade. For to save your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of the children of man. For to save your courage, you shall not be able to foresee the time or manner of your death. For to sharpen your understanding, you shall be without the power of speech or language; thus shall neither hard words or lies come between you and them, or between the man and hiswife, or between their children. You shall be given the gift of truth to be shared in your eyes your ears and your tail.
You shall leave your own kind and cleave to them, you will be willing to give all, yea unto death for them, yet ask nothing more in return than food, shelter, and love."
And the dog heard, and was content.""

They are God's gift. Surely it is right to remember themand mourn their passing. Huggs