Between your post, Karen, and that beautiful poem Pat sent, I now am sharing a good cry with you. All of us who share our lives with fur babies know exactly what you are feeling, and the empathy is palpable. I am very proud that you found the strength to give Sassy a last gift of love, and she certainly felt huge thanks to you. It takes a long while to not 'see' our lost ones, but, each time we do see them in our minds, we need to remember the good times and the play and the laughs. I love the idea of your sharing ashes with Sassy----I never thought of that, actually, but I think it's a wonderful and sentimental idea that I will keep in mind.
Big hugs to you from me and soothing licks from Molly.