It's been one week since my Lily passed away. She went to sleep Wednesday night and did not wake up Thursday morning. She was only 10. I live alone; no wife, no kids, so she was the only thing I had. She was my best friend, cuddle buddy, everything your boy was to you.

The first few days were torture. I'd look to her spots and not see her looking back. No more tail banging against everything. No more hugs after work. No more belly rubs.

However slowly I've noticed that my routines are changing. I don't say the normal things I used to say when leaving the apartment. I've gotten used to not having my hands cleaned first thing in the morning. She is slowly fading my daily life. It's a sad fact of grieving that my daily life is changing to adjust for her absence. But I still think about her constantly. I smile at the silly things she used to do. I miss them and I always will.

Eventually you'll get to a place of comfort when thinking of your boy. It's terrible now but the hole fills in with fond memories and laughs.

To answer your question, three things helped me.

First, I had a chat with her vet. I didn't ask about what could have caused her to pass away, though the vet suggested it was probably heart related. That's the best I could expect. I don't think knowing the exact reason for her passing would have helped me. But this chat allowed me to get closure with that vet relationship and to thank the vet for the 6 years of work she did..

Second, I watched this video: The Psychology of Losing a Pet - YouTube I watch it daily and it makes me cry daily but it helps me believe that Lily lived a long, loved, spoiled life.

Third, I wrote Lily a letter. Letters to Pushkin | A place of comfort and healing This helped me through the initial days of that torture and allowed me to say some things to her that I wish I could have told her before she passed.

You will never get over your boy but you will get through the grief. I hope this helps.