R.I.P. Brian Griffin :'(

In a horrific twist, the creators of family guy, killed off a beloved character in the latest episode. Brian Griffin is just a cartoon dog, I know, but his death left me aghast and deeply upset. The episode itself was so heartbreaking and had me in tears.
In the beginning of the episode, Stewie destroys his time machine after he's almost killed during one of his travels and decides that enough is enough.
Along with his best friend Brian, they decide to get a new lease on life by doing something "normal" like playing hockey outside. Huge mistake!
While Stewie goes inside to get something, Brian is run over by a car. The poor dog didn't stand a chance.
I have to say here that the car did see awfully familiar. I don't know why, but the whole thing seemed suspicious. Maybe it will be revisited in a future episode, I guess.
Anyway, just when I thought that there would be a miracle, a deus ex machina on bringing Brian back, he dies! The monitor flat-lines, there's a burial and a month has passed by since his death.
To top it all, the family buys another dog, cementing the fact that Brian is indeed dead.
Stewie can't rebuild his time machine because of missing parts and he can't find another way to bring back Brian?
It's Brian! Bring him back!

I have to admit I never particularly liked Brian except for his interactions with Stewie. Stewie and Brian are the best and their episodes are hilarious and eagerly awaited for. It didn't hit me how much I would miss him until I saw him die on that table. He had only one thing to say, that he loved them all. The tears not only flowed from the cartoon family, but from mine as well and I was shocked by how much Brian had made a place in my heart.

Everyone says that it's just a cartoon and Brian would be back. There are some future episodes titled after him, so I am still holding out hope. However, if he were never to come back, I don't think I could watch my favorite show in the same way again. No one, and I mean no one, can take Brian Griffin's place.