I haven't commented to either of the other entries, because I couldn't think of anything to say, since "I'm sorry" has always struck me as terribly cliche and ultimately quite useless in these sorts of situations. But I am. There simply isn't any other way to say it. Losing a pet is one of the hardest things in the world.

I'm sure you know this, and I'm sure a bunch of people say it all the time -- but you're really a wonderful writer.