Does this ever get any easier?

Someone once told me having a dog was training for dealing with life and loss, because we take them into our heart knowing we will (hopefully) outlive them.
As the caretaker of a 14(?) year old chow-retriever mix, who is hands-down the smartest, sweetest soul I have ever seen with fur, I feel your pain.
You have to take comfort in the quality of life you give them, and they to you.
It hurts, but in enough time all the memories will make you smile without sadness.