First of all, don't panic. It doesn't help to get worked up because otherwise it's harder to solve the problem. When you're ready, think really hard about when you last saw it and the places you might have been in when it got lost. Try looking in those places. If you lost it at school, try looking in the lost and found. If you think you may have lost it walking around somewhere in public, there might not be much you can do. If you look in numerous places and can't find it, I'm sure there are ways to earn money. Maybe offer to do extra chores around the house; that's always a good place to start. Don't despair. Nothing's impossible.
As for it not being on pause, if you do find it, you may witness a Tama death. But it's not the end of the world. My last two Tama's have died, and while I'm frustrated, I know I can always hatch a new one. Keep your chin up. Good luck.