Oh, Pepper, I am so sorry for your loss. I'm sorry I'm replying late, but I honestly could not muster the courage to write sooner. Believe it or not, I don't express myself well at times like this cause it's so devasting for me to even think about. I pray I have your selflessness and courage to do the right thing when the time comes. There can be no better expression of true, unrelenting, total love.
I was off from work a few days last week, and saw on TV, John Edward, a medium who speaks for the departed..Anyway, all the people he spoke to in the audience were so shocked BUT he asked one lady if there was a dog with a "liquor" name. The woman thought, said no, then totally jumped up and said it was her dad's poodle "Brandy". He then said her father and Brandy were side by side.
Well, it sounds freaky, but I found it very comforting to know that our pets go to heaven and that we will meet again. That's heaven to me. So I hope that helps relieve the pain a wee bit.
My thoughts and prayers are with you!!