Oh I too can relate to what you are saying Kirsten, when My Sooti died it was unbearable, I was so attached to him, it really did take a long time for me to get over losing him, Lexie did help me with my loss, but she never replaced him as such.

Now I look at her and my Ash and think how unbearable it will be when their time comes, I can only hope they live long lives and that they are with me for a long time, but yes it hurts just even thinking about it, I for one am glad I can feel this emotion to an animal, I just cannot understand those who donot and boy are they missing out bigtime.

Sooti was young and he should not have died, and that made it even harder, if our pets have long happy lives, it is all we can ask for, and it does make their passing a little less sad, but still the longer you have them , the more attached you become, oh heck just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

I am not ashamed of how much I feel for my kitties, they are my day companions, and they bring such joy to my life, even the pain of losing them is worth the joy of having them if you all know what I mean. hope that makes some kinda sense.