Dear Astrid, I am so sorry this happened. Sophie was a sweet girl and lived a lovely life with you. This helped build so many happy memories for you.

A family member can leave after lingering awhile, or can leave suddenly. This is true no matter if the family member is a human or a furkid. My Mum passed in less than 3 minutes, my Dad is coping with dementia, a long slow decline. My pets, well, I've dealt with both sudden and slow with my furkids as well. The sudden, fast illness is easiest on the departing member, hardest on those of us left behind. We have no warning, no time to prepare, just a whirlwind of activity in a very short time and then the bottom seems to drop out from under us.

There is shock and grief, and in time we learn to adapt to the change. Go easy and take care of yourself. We are all here for you.