I'm so sorry! Pets are indeed members of the family, and losing them is tough. Our "fur baby" is not in great health, and we don't know how much longer we'll have with him. It gets harder and harder to leave him when we go on vacation. Fortunately we have a fantastic kennel that spoils him rotten. He's heading there in a couple of hours (we are off to WDW!!!) and he's currently lounging in his favorite easy chair giving me the stink eye because he spotted the suitcases.
Hang in there! I know it's hard.