The loss of an animal is awful..i still think about all my cats in Nottm all those years ago.
And the loss of two golden labs here in Eire.
They were Husband and Wife...when Bounty passed away..lucy sat on his grave for 2 weeks and lost her woof...she didn't bark for over 3 years!
How terribly sad, we had lots of cats and when 'Raffles' the elder died at only 7, the other two would never sit on his chair and mourned until the end of their days. They knew where he was buried, as did his great companion our little terrier. Sometimes if he went missing we'd go to his grave at the bottom of the garden and there he was lying quietly by the small gravestone. Animals don't understand death, but realise where it's consequences are located and at times of sadness pay their respects too I feel?