What a wonderful post, about a wonderful love. I'm so happy you had this animal in your life, and am sorry she is gone. I've held several dogs as they left me, and a cat or two too. That is the best way indeed. Thank you for doing it. I know she felt the love.
I was spending a lot of my time over the last few months crying, especially in the past week as I watched her condition worsen. But her personality and energy never went away. Even on the last day.
I knew that when the time came, I had to hold her as I usually would, and that I could not cry, only talk to her and share my appreciation for her being by my side for so long, for all those great times spent together.
The deepest love, for me, is preceded and followed by immeasurable grief. You'll remember her very fondly forever, a blessing,