Aye. We say that to ourselves: "oh look how old they got" but it doesn't change the hurt. Two years or twenty years: same size hole.

I often "complained" about the design fault of cats & dogs going before we do. And then we got Oscar. Parrots have the opposite problem: they often outlive us. So you have to prepare a solution for your little buddy for when you are gone (and they will miss you, very much, they will mourn, as you were their partner). That's almost even worse.

(sorry MrsD for going off-topic, I'll have a better on-topic post tomorrow! )