That was so sweet and it was wonderful that they let them have that wake.

Yes, animals do grieve and have feelings. My Mama's little poodle and her baby "Kitty Boo" knew she was dying and stayed with her till the end and we had to pick them up off of her after she died. They understood she was gone and letting them stay, helped with their grief, they stayed with her several hours until they came to take Mama out of the house. Holly, the poodle has since gone on to be with Mama but my sister still has Kitty Boo.