I a firm believer in the after life .
I have seen some amazing sights during my childhood and realised that some of the people i have talked to on a regular basis had passed over. My dad visits often to chat and watch. One of my old friends has been asigned to me as a head guide.
I get visits from all sorts of people looking to pass on messages. or just a hug .
Occasionly i get animals.
Cheers Pete

Thank you for sharing.  Yes, it is very painful and much different from loss thru death. I have a blind friend.  Since I have known her she has had 2 different guide dogs.  She is now at a point where she needs a new dog.  Her current dog is incredible.  He is devoted to her and does his best, he is just getting older.  Now older for that dog is fairly young.  He plays, he is probably about 50 in people age.  He just isn't as fast, as strong as he used to be, so he is putting her at risk.  She loves her partner dog.  He is with her always.  They are a team. She hates these transitions.  She ultimately will need to give up the current dog to another family so she can give the attention to the new dog.  It is only fair to both dogs.  It rips her apart.  
My heart goes out to you and your family.  I am happy your son is well.  I am happy you found a good family for the pet family member.  
Thank you for sharing.  Yes, my dog who died years ago, comes and visits me and greats me and I am blessed that he does.  My dog growing up comes and visits when my grandfather comes to be with me.  I am blessed they do and that I know they are there.  It is comforting for me to feel their energies and be able to play with them and talk with them.

It looks like tourbi and I have alot in common. (nice to meet you tourbi)

In answer to the original question, yes most certainy your pets cross over into the Light and you will most certainly be greeted by them when you arrive. Like tourbi said, energy is energy and it does not cease to be when it leaves the body.

I have been to the other side a few times in my life, both by NDEs and deliberate astral projection trips. I like to take those trips to the other side for my "mini vacations" as I call them. The place I go the most is where the wild animals are. Over there they do not eat each other and live in peace. Lion and lamb sleep together. (a metaphor but you get my drift)  There is nothing as wonderful as petting a lion who has no intent to bite you.

I am also a wildlife rehabilitator as well as a "crazy cat lady" and have had many animals make their transition while I was holding them and allowing them to move on. As sad as it seems it is a real gift to be allowed that insight into what they feel when they leave their bodies. It's a simple release of what no longer serves them.

we have alot to learn from our furry brothers and sisters

I also have several spirit cats that live with me. They are not cats that were once my living pets. Those do visit me on ocassion. But the spirit cats I have now seem to be strays..lol

In Islamic teachings there is a concept of life after death.According to its teachings ,when the person dies ,his spirit  moves to another, region known as AAlamai Barzakh.their they will remain until the final day of judgement ,where they would return,back into their original bodies.This Aalam is not on another planet but is arond us,.Those whose third eye is opened can see them and converse with them.Some of the Sufis who have left this world hundrds of years ago  have the power to come ain their physical bodies and meet their devotees. I have the honour of meeting one while I was sitting on his grave in his tomb,doing a Sufic exercise to get his blessings.He came to me sat beside me and asked me to raise my hands for prayer, then he prayed with me and then shook hands and left.A friend of mine who at the same time was entering the tomb and walking towards me did not see him at all.Later on my guide told me that he was the same Sufi on whose tomb I was sitting.