My sympathies on the loss of your long-time companion. You can't understand the pain and emptiness until you suffer that sort of loss yourself.
My husband lost his 21 year old just two years ago and we were both absolutley devestated. His white-with-grey Oscar the Grouch was one of a kind and he's missed every day. Our sons both know that when it comes time to bury their
father, Oscar's ashes are to be buried with him.