I am sorry for your loss, i have lost meny dog's and cat's also. I also lost my mother two year's ago. I understand what you are going through right now, i have got used to it, by now. I love GSD's.
Yes it was hard to let them go. I cried!! but I do have their pic on my fridge. Its hard to watch the GSD shows on Animal Planet and I get all choked up when they show that "Best In Show" commercial that has a GS in it, also on Animal Planet. Maybe in time I'll get another one