Kate I'm so sorry for your loss. It never gets easier. I had my first real experience with this last year when I had to put my baby to sleep. I was so depressed we had to get another dog within a week. Cruelty free....I don't want to sound like a fruit either. But after we put my baby to sleep I could have sworn several times that I heard her paws clicking on the floor. Hubby heard it too one night. I like thinking she is still near.

hmm.. I'll do a little research. I remember elderberries from growing up in the UK, but don't know about figs. Thanks for the suggestion:) Hazel

Capone: (I gave him these) Caponimator (Caponinator just didn't sound right), Hoss, Scavenger, 'Pone, SugarBear, m'Love, Stooge, D.A. (short for dumba$$, when he's being especially silly), GoofBall.. (S.O. gave him these :])Tit, Tittybaby, Crybaby, Mama's Boy, Boobie-Bogartin' S.O.B. (he nuzzles in my boobs - I think he's got a Mommy complex or something), Teether (when we rough-play, he won't bite - just barely nibbles the skin with his front teeth - HURTS! :P)and.... *ahem* 'boy-part'-blocker. (We don't actually say 'boy-part', but it's quite crude, so I didn't spell it out... use your imagination.)He got that one because he's the only one that's supposed to get Mommy's affection. Period. If Mommy and Daddy are less than two feet away from eachother, he squeezes in the middle. Jealousy, anyone? Wow. A lot of nicknames.... I'm suprised he comes to 'Capone' anymore :) Disclaimer: all name-calling is in fun, and the only time the dog gets his feelings hurt is when he's called gruffly to get him away from a chew-toy that's started to deteriorate.

Kate I am so sorry for your loss. I do not have pets, but I have in the past and I know how they are part of the family. My daughter has a 'zoo' and they have a small party business. When they moved the pink corn snake that belonged to my granddaughter got sick and died. My granddaughter was so sad amd some of her friends made fun of her but you do get attached to your pets regardless of the type. Rosa