John; Can I sympathise with you at having to part with Winnie? There is no shame in admitting your tears. To say that men don't cry is quite simply rubbish - they do, and should. You'll still see her though it won't be the same. I know it'll take time to get over this, but you WILL get over it. I don't know how you feel exactly. You see, we had a dog when I was young, but, when my dad died when I was four, the dog started biting everything in sight - including me. She had to be destroyed. What mum should have done was get another dog, but she didn't, and that created a total terror of dogs in me which took many years to overcome. Not easy if you live in the blind world, is it? I'm still not comfortable near dogs - I cannot touch them - but I recognise the bond between dog and owner, and my heart goes out to you now. Jim PTL! <><