MB, I too had two Dogs put to sleep, one was our first, pet we got shortly after Viv and I got married, a Chawawa (spelling?)they are not supose to live longer than 12 yrs well, Schmitty lived a long 17 wonderfull yrs, and I cried as i was holding him at the end, though I was Tough, them we replace him with one from the animal shelter, we saved a puppy that was to be put to sleep soon, no one wanted him, well he lived a wonderfull 12 yrs before getting to sick for the vet to save (Cancer). now we have a dog our daughter was going to put down cause it a show dog and he was a runt and could not sell or show. we now have him 6 yrs. what I trying to say is, if the right dog comes across your path don't be afraid to take it in, cause it will need a loving home and I know you will give it one, as we have. P.S. our last dog TITO was lost for about a week and half when we put down FRITZ, as we had both dogs for about a year when we put FRITZ down..(sorry for the book)... Paul sr