People caring is good but i will say i have never cared as much for a creature than my first dog.
I can totally relate. Dogs are better than most people. What kid of dog was it?
He was a Dachshund lived til he was 18. I miss him still. 
I'm sorry. Dogs take a piece of our hearts when they go. 18 years is a very long life for a dog, I bet you had a lot of great times together!