I know that this topic is about living pets, but at some time they will die because animals don't live as long as people.
I used to have a cat called Sadie, and she was my best friend. The Blue Cross helped me a lot in coming to terms with why I had her "put to sleep".
Here is their website, as it may help other people when the time comes:
Pet Bereavement Support Service
It is better to be prepared because believe me; when she died it was as if half of me had also died.
_________________
We, the people on the Autistic Spectrum have a choice.
We can either try to "fit in" with the rest of society, or we can be so egocentric that we can't be bothered.
I choose the actor. I observe NT's. I listen to their socializing. I practice it, so in social situations I can just emulate/mimic what is expected.
It isn't natural for me, but it enables me to "fit in".
It is VERY tiring and draining, but at least we can appear like them even though it is an act. Like being on the stage.
They can't see it is emulation, and so we are accepted.