Has anyone lost their best friend?

I had to say goodbye to my Cocker Spaniel last October. He was 15 and a great friend. I still miss him very much.
My sympathy for your loss.

We can never be ready for death of a friend no matter how much we don't remind ourselves of their value. But that is how we grow to treasure more all of our friends while they are with us. I used to well up after they died, now I can do it just thinking about it.

My heart goes out to you for your loss.

I feel your loss. I still miss and mourn the loss of my dog, Buffy, a lab/shepherd mix, who died 4 years ago. She was a good spirit, and I miss her dearly.

Peace.

My most sincere sympathies. I have lost 3 best friends over the last 15 years, and each passing seemed to hurt more than the preceding one. We adopted our German Shepherd ( the third dog that we lost) when she was 4 years old; and 3 weeks after my wife of almost 48 years underwent successful surgery for colon cancer, Quanda was diagnosed with spleen and liver cancer and had to be put to sleep on January 1, 2007. She was only with us for 4 years. As a tribute to all that she gave us, within a month we adopted another dog from a rescue agency: Peach, a female terrier mix who is a total (thoroughly and deservedly spoiled) joy and loves sitting with me in my listening room. This Friday, May 2, Peach will have been a part of the family for 15 months.

Likewise we have experienced a similar loss. It was as if I lost one of my children - that was 7 years ago and I still get tears! It is my belief that they will all be waiting for us on the other-side when our turn comes!! Ours stuck around the house for a week or so after the passing - we could hear her footsteps in the kitchen and an occasional bark at the back door. A house visitor heard it as well.

I share your loss!