How did you get through the death of a beloved pet?

I have learned this week that my beloved dog may have cancer and although we don’t have the final word, my grief has been powerful the last few days.
I grew up in a household with multiple pets since I was born (my mother’s cat slept next to me in my crib) and so I have lost many pets in my lifetime, but none have ever felt this intense. I have dreaded this day for years but now that it is upon us I don’t know how I am going to get through it. I would like to hear about the pets that meant the world to you and how you overcame your grief and, if applicable, how you memorialized their life.