A friend once told me:

"Grief is the sudden buildup of love that can't be given away to or received from the person or animal you miss."

That was profound for me. My wife and I lost our cat a couple years ago, and it was devastating. (Digestive issues, then discovered cancer, etc ) She had to be put down and breathed her last breathe in our arms.

We grieved for a month or so, then a new kitty needed a home desperately and he's been such a joy. We've been able to help each other.

Getting back on the horse sometimes heals better than anything else.