Ya know, I do think losing pets (MUCH better when it happens at a ripe old age..for the pet!) is kind of good for kids, in a really sad way.
In our culture we tend to be so unnaturally isolated from death, and so phobic about it, I think it helps to be in touch with reality.
I, and my friends, had so many animals as a kid that funerals (always enormously dramatic events!) were very common.
That being said, the pain really sucks...and poor little bumwarmer should have lived a long life.
I think the revenge thing IS natural.
Sadly, some folk never grow out of it. Not that I think Duckie won't. He has you.
