Jan, please try to banish the guilt even though it is natural. In fact about a month before we lost Phoenix, one of her colorado vets who had herself just lost a pet, warned us that guilt was natural, but don't go there. Notwithstanding that advice, felt guilty too, but when I really looked at it, it was guilt caused by the fact that I couldn't make Phoenix better. We tried everything we could think of, acupuncture and cold lazer therapy (which worked well early on) rugs over every wood or tile surface she could slip on ramps made to go up the steps from the bedrooms to the den and down the back porch steps, and a great harness that last month that we could use to comfortably use to pick her up and get her on her feet. To be honest, rationally I know that we probably should have done it earlier, but we thought we could keep her comfortable and there were some things (especially treats) that made her happy. I really think that last day, she told us it was time, because my husband and I reached the decision separately and when we called our housekeeper (a/k/a the dogs' Aunt Mary) she told us that she knew it was time the afternoon before and urged us to go ahead and do it that day. The vet could do it late that afternoon, so Mary came over and gave her some treats and a lot of love, then I left work early to spurn some time with her and pretty some DH came home. Phoenix was already in heaven with all her people around her feeding her her favorite food, but she still had a body that was worn out. At the appointed time we get in to the car. To make the trip to the vetss we got in the car (Phoenix loved to ride in the car especially when I was feeding her ham and cheese the whole way. She even got a lots of compliments on how pretty she was at the vests and she liked that too. So she did have a great final trip we even took her bed so she could be comfortable. The vet explained the process, that she would first get a shot that would just put her into a deep comfortable sleep and then he would come back to administer the fatal shot. It was the first shot that did it for me. She continued eating ham and cheese as her eyes grew heavier and heavier until she was in a deep and comfortable sleep. It was then when I looked at her sleeping so much more comfortably than she had in months, with all the tension in her muscles melted away, I knew we were doing the right thing. I didn't want for her to have to wake up from that peace. Letting her go was the only humane thing we could do.

Hi everyone, Thank you for your kind words and expressions of sympathy. It really helps. I've been working at home today and keep expecting to step on the lump of gray fur who always chooses the most inconvenient spot for her naps. Alas. It's very hard and lonely. My son is being married in late May and I think after the wedding, when I will be working from home for two months, I'll go to the APL and adopt maybe two kitties so that they will each other to play with. I would love to get a dog, but living alone, I don't think I have the stamina to take care of one. And I have such a small yard. I keep imagining the winter, with the walk covered with you know what. Gibby3000: I'm sorry for your losses, too. I am really glad I could stay home today because I've been a weepy mess. My eyes are swollen and the least thing sets me off. Your so lucky to have three cats -- Catluvr: I'm sorry too, for your loss. My dog died the day I came home from a 10 day trip. She failed within an hour of my picking her up at the kennel and I am certain she was just hanging on to see me. The guilt was ferocious. I understand how awful it is. It still makes me cry. (Well, anything makes me cry right now). Flyleft: thanks, too, for your sympathies. I really do still feel her around, but I actually hope that she's reuniting with my dog, who was her lifelong friend. I just hope my mother isn't there poking both of them with her cane. Uxorial: How lovely to have a Lucy. I was telling my son today that if I get another cat I want to name her Lucy-two. He thinks I'm nuts. But how can anyone not love a Lucy? I hope yours stays well for a good long time. Pecan: Good luck with your pug. 19 years is pretty miraculous. I hope you'll know what to do. I'm very glad I persevered with Lucy. She actually started using the litter box almost exclusively in the last couple of months, and so I'm glad I hung in there with her. Thank you all for your sympathies and e-hugs and understanding. It means a great deal. Molly

Kelly, I have loads of photos; however I'm not computer savy enough to be able to post them without the help of my computer guru-son. Try looking at the Polish Lowland Sheepdog club official site.(APONC) There are some delightful pictures there. Basically I'd guess you'd say they look like a smaller bearded collie without the tail or beard. The hair on their heads is long and hangs over their eyes and the comment I get is, of course, "Can he see?" Funny thing is, even though he can see, that hasn't stopped him from walking into things, like the side of the house, or the coffee table. My 11 year old pal is a bit smaller than usual, weighing in at about 35 pounds. His worst habit: Stealing things. From the time he was a puppy, whenever I would be in the bathroom, either in the shower or otherwise occupied, he would stick that big black nose on the counter top looking to see what there was that he could swipe and would stretch out that front paw as far as he could to hook something. Needless to say, whenever company comes, I have to warn them about leaving things in the bathroom, or on the floor in their rooms. My son was visiting once and Max swiped his jockies from his suitcase and ran out the dog door into the backyard. I don't know what was funnier; The standoff,Max with the underwear in his mouth, or my 6'2" son (in my pink flowered robe) trying to retrieve them.

My oldest cats first meeting of a dog ever went as so "Big old pitbull boxer walks in, snaps his leash off and chases kitty" This goes on everytime kitty braves the danger. He never hurt her, I don't know if that was because he couldn't catch her, or he just wanted to chase. And then we got a beagle, who loves to chase the cats. God old hunting drive. She still chases the cats. But she does not hurt or attack them, when she catches up to them she submits, onto her back. And if she ever gets too rough the cats chase her off. Big guy doesn't even notice the cats, they walk right up to him and sniff him and he doesn't even bat an eye. Except for when the crazy, furry black thing rolls around on him meowing and purring. That confuses him slightly. We achieved this with both animals by saying "No, leave the kitty" Of course after training "Leave it" and if they didn't, they were removed from the room, either to their crate in the beagles case, or the garage in the big guys case. They quickly learned if they didn't "Leave the kitty" They weren't allowed to be in the same room, and from that they effectively learned to leave the cats alone all together. I'm pretty sure the beagle would leave the cats alone, if they didn't like her so much. Especially our little black one, she loves both the dogs, and she LOVES playing with the beagle. And the calico pretends to hate her, but if she doesn't play with her for a day or two, she harasses her. She pretends to hate everyone and everything though, til it ignores her. However, we do still have gates in place where our banisters are, so that if ever the cats feel threatened (or annoyed, mostly) they can escape without fearing the dogs chasing them. Just because they're reliable, doesn't mean they will always be 100% reliable, and I think reconizing that is almost more important than the actual training. You hear too many stories of "Oh my fox killing dog would never hurt a fly, I dont know what happened!!" instinct!