Got your attention, didn't it.... Here I sit at 3 am, watching over TJ who is not feeling well. Catching up with 929 emails....WOW, this is a new record..... Everyday past my dogs 10th birthday is a cause of celebration for me. I watch their every change, their weight, anything that could make them uncomfortable. TJ vomited yesterday and today, and even thou the vet is SURE nothing is wrong, I disagree. So I will keep an eye on him until he gets sick of me. Dexter, of course, being all about Dexter, he thinks is way too cool we are up when he should be in bed. He is in love with his new toy, a big bone in a rope that has become his obsession. With one ear up and one still down, this little guy think he is hot stuff. He lays next to TJ, showing off his new possession. TJ pretends to be amused. He has my pillow, that's the real prize. One is 11 years, the other one is 11 weeks......what a range, and yes, I am in love all over again. My hubby has been up a couple of times to check on us, and he just shakes his head and smiles......what a guy!! At 11, TJ is getting up there but, he is not there yet. When I had my battle with cancer a few years back, I called Bobby and asked her if she would take TJ if things got real bad. There was not a moment of hesitation on her answer. I had other dogs, and I knew the breeders wouldn't hesitate to help either. Glad it never came to that, they were my motivation to get out of bed every morning. You have to get up or clean the mess.......easy choice, eh? LOL But to know, without a doubt, that there were people to look after MY guys, that was such a relieve. With my kids in college and my husband traveling all the time, you have no idea what a blessing that knowledge was. Thru the last 20 years I have lost my share of dogs, as have we all. To be able to reach out to our friends, who understand the pain we feel, it is like a balsam. Some hit harder than others, I will never forget Buster or Tess. Some didn't live long enough, even at 14. Von, Capi and Rigger, I hoped you had lived to 20, but even then it would've been too soon. At moments like this, when you worry about these guys making it another day, you think of your friends. We can ask for vet advice, and you will find things to share with your vet that will amaze the AVA. A knowledgeable and open minded veterinarian is a blessing, trust me. This is something the likes of Hunte and the puppy millers don't understand. They never will. Our dogs are not just a number. They are our buddies. My dogs, they are my love affair. Ileana <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================