Bidding farewell to an old and faithful friend can be incredibly hard, but there are ways to help you cope.
Vale
When your pet - who can sometimes be your best friend - dies, even close friends may not know how to help you or what to say. Those who don't own pets often find it hard to comprehend the loss of the relationship you enjoyed so much.
Time, of course, is the great healer. Creating a memorial can help, like holding a small remembrance service in your garden or planting a tree or plant.
Talking to someone who has been through a similar experience is also a great comfort. If you don't personally know anyone, you may be able to find people or organisations on the Internet. Although not based in New Zealand, somewhere like www.petloss.com may be a good place to start.
It may also help to talk to, or read books written by those who have experienced a loss or who have professional training in this area.