I'm so sorry to hear that sir krazzytrukker. It's pure torture when they pass away. I believe they are one of God's special gifts to us.
In fact..I probably shouldn't mention this because you'll think I'm crazy but what the hey... I've read so many accounts of people who have died and gone to heaven but it wasn't their time to go so they were sent back.
Many very credible accounts with proof that they were gone from their bodies. But anyway, many of them reported that their pets that had died were in heaven and would be reunited with them when they got there.
I remember the one account where the man who had died was being escorted by an angel and he said to the angel that it couldn't be real when his dog ran up to him because dogs don't have spirits.
The angel told him that dogs DO have spirits, they are just a different type of spirit than man's.
To me, it's just another way that God shows His love for us. Oh, cats too. Owners have seen both their cats and dogs in heaven. I don't know about any other kind of pet.
I just say all of this to say that it is not necessarily the end for them, just like it isn't the end for human spirits.
Thanx Jonboy, that helps.