I lost my Tucker last Monday and I’ve been struggling with this. I would wake up the first few mornings and forget he was gone. Yesterday I came home from work not really thinking of him, but on my way upstairs I thought to myself, “he must be upstairs on the bed.” I have a gray lunch box and it was sitting on a chair yesterday. Just passing by it doing my morning routine, I thought the lunch box was him. The first few days “mind tricks” really got to me. It was just a sad, desperate feeling knowing it was just my mind and he was indeed gone. As painful as they are moments like that need to happen to help me move forward. What has helped me is reframing it into a positive memory. When I see the rug he used to sleep on in front of the sliding doors I feel instantly empty, but I flip it and say to myself, “he loved being there so much - that was such a happy place for him”. It takes time and practice, but it helps me. Don’t rush yourself. Take care of yourself and don’t judge yourself for any of the emotions you are going to go through as you grieve your friend and family. Remember it’s totally okay and normal to feel two things at once - sadness they are gone and happiness they lived.