How to deal with the death of your dog?

Asked by kayyyyleigh (404) December 8th, 2009 from iPhone

she hasn’t died yet… but I know it’s going to happen, and probably sometime in the next year.
she’s a small dog, a pug, and she is my dog, I’ve taken care of her, named her, she sleeps in my bed as close to me as she can, she fallows me everwhere, and has separation anxiety from me. I got her six years ago, but being a pug she is small (she’s also the runt) and has breathing problems. a few months ago she got really hurt on my bed, and now has neck problems. we have never been able to pick her up by her stomach because they messed up her stiches when she got fixed. she also has severe skin agitation and ear problems. so I know that she will be gone soon, and probably will suffer first.
but she was MY first dog and I know it’s going to hit hard when she is gone.
have you ever lost a loved pet? if so is there something you would have done, or thought about, differently before to help you deal with it?
thanks so much:)