It's good to remember them, even if it hurts. It won't hurt so much in time and you find the memories bring mostly smiles.
I had the weirdest dream with my first dog in it a few nights ago. Teddy has been gone for 45 years but there he was, full of life. Just as in life he was trying to escape our yard and I was running after him. It was great though, because there he was in full colour, his glorious coat of brown, black and white shining. Most of my photos of him are black and white, as they are of everything back then. I have no idea what brought that dream about but I was glad to see him.