Trust me...it's worse than being lost. It's like losing a pet...
"It's like losing a pet..."
I know exactly what you mean.
I always owned dogs, my favorites pets. Last year my cockatiel died in my hands and felt as if a loved one had died, not exactly, but you know what I mean. I had him for 12 years was very attached to him. I now have 2 parakeets that I'm trying to hatch and my father wants me to let them loose out the window.
Never been fond of cats though. We used to own a cat, but she was wild and would scratch. This experience maybe be the reason I don't own a cat. I got enough room here in the basement and in the yard for a domestic zoo and am looking to buy a beagle, but they're very expensive though.
PS: sorry for the delay in responding.