Dear Smokey's mom,
First, I am so very sorry that you have physically lost the love of your life. As moon_beam so aptly put it, this is a loss like no other ever was or ever will be. Smokey was a huge part of your life here on earth and that can never be replaced. He sounds like an absolutely wonderful boy and I, for one and I'm sure I speak for many of us on Lightning-Strike, would love to hear more about him and you. I know there are hundreds, even thousands of memories that flood your heart every minute. That is one thing about this site: every single one of us is here to listen to your heart, to affirm your love-bond with Smokey and to support you on this most hellacious journey.
Try to hold onto the good times and not dwell so much on the should have's or would have's, etc. I know that is foremost in your mind right now, but soon you will get past them and onto the precious, loving and warm memories of you and Smokey. (BTW, I love his name.)
Also, I firmly believe that the human-companion bond is not severed by physical separation. Smokey is still very much alive, but in a different form. He is in your heart, right next to you when you lie in bed or watch television, drive the car, shop or do anything else. Smokey is now your Spirit Dog, able to shower you with more love than you can imagine. Soak it all up, grieve as you must, but Smokey can only send you what I call, "love rays". HE knows how much you love him, how much you miss him and wish with all your might that you two could be together again. That day will also come, when you two are together again, in another plane, never to be separated again.
Smokey has now met my Trevor, my Rudy, my Jasper, my Kelly, my Birney and my Crocker in the glorious place I call Heaven. Yes, Smokey's mom, I know that all my boys are together, along with millions of other animals companions, making new friends every day and stopping at nothing to brag about you and all the love you gave him. That goes on for hours and the critters never tire of it. Smokey is happy, except for one thing and that is that his mom is so sad right now and it will take TIME for him to help you on this grief journey.
But, again, moon_beam is right when she says that the gift of time, and it truly is a gift, will gently allow you to start thinking of Smokey as you remember him in the good times. Slowly, ever so slowly, a slight smile or sigh may touch your lips. That is OK because Smokey is right there to share that with you. Please know that in no way sharing the good memories and delighting in them means that you are "forgetting" or being disloyal to Smokey. That can never happen.
So, please, Smokey's mom, let this new family of Lightning-Strike members learn about the magnificent Smokey and the love you two shared. I have been writing on this site for over 2 years and still have so much more to say. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, 24/7, 365 ! And THANK YOU FOR LOVING YOUR SMOKEY AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO!
Peace be with you tonight and for all nights to come. I will be telling my boys to watch out for Smokey and give him a welcome that only Cocker Spaniels can. See, all my boys were Cocker Spaniels. Right now I share my heart with two more: Dreamer and Kelley.
Would you mind if I end this with what I say to not only my boys, but all the wonderful animals I have come to know here.
I LOVE YOU, SMOKEY!
Bobbie