Re: putting a dog down just might be the worst feeling in life.

I would like to offer my sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved pet.  Absolutely, the pain of losing a pet is a different type of grieving, entirely.

In the past 3 years, I lost 4 pets.  In processing this grief, I came to a realization that pets provide human beings with agape - unconditional love.  Love without constraints.  Something that we human beings can only aspire to.  And, perhaps, that is the reason that we typically outlive our pets.  They love us regardless of whether or not we're physically beautiful, fit, emotionally healthy, or do the right/wrong thing.  They simply love, and we don't even come close to that, as a species.

Remember, in your heart and mind, the ancient legend of the Rainbow Bridge, where all good animals and pets await the souls of their beloved human beings at the bottom of the rainbow.  They wait for us, patiently, to escort us into Heaven, or the Great Beyond, and always remain our trusted and loving companions. 

Most sincere blessings of comfort to you.