My pet of choice are cats, but any of us who love our animals can empathize with your loss; sorry to hear it! Hardest one for me, ever, was a cat I had for over 23 years, from the time I was a teenager until I was a married woman with children--I even took a day off work because I just couldn't even talk without bursting into tears.
But, just as with our other loved ones, once the worst of the grief begins to subside, there are the wonderful memories to cherish. Hope you'll find and hold onto those memories in the coming days.