Sorry for your loss, man. I've lost several best friends and it never gets easier. They are just like kids. Just remember the great times I'm sure you had.
Times like this I feel like a cruel heartless person. Still farm, born and raised on a farm, and while pets are loveable, they serve a purpose, and they won't live more than 10-15 years for a dog, so I just accept that death is part of life, and move on. While I do miss them, I get another puppy and start the training process over again.
It's tough and I feel your pain... I lost my "Duke" almost 2 years ago after nearly 16 awesome years of companionship! The good news is he's sitting just a few feet from me in the brown felt bag I brought him home in.. I had him cremated and I never put him in anything different.. not yet I guess... I need to when we get moved into the new place.
It's funny, but at times I hear him bark and other times I see a dog with similar markings, etc..It's hard to not feel some sadness even now... they become very close to us!!
He used to freak out when I returned home. You know, kind of like he really missed me. He really just knew that hev was gonna get some treats. *sniffle*