Thanks again for the sentiments guys.
Fieldarchy - Aw, cute dog. I can just imagine his character (dogs really do have breed-specific characters imho. I remember walking my little friend along the beach once and 2 passing girls couldn\'t stop laughing - shewould sit and refuse to move, no matter how far away I got. Only when I returned to within 10 metres would she bolt towards me and run past. They said that their Westie pulled the same trick all the time).
Dragonsreach - sorry to hear about your dog\'s problems. I think the key word there though is \"content\". My chum was going blind and deaf, and had some skin problems for a number of years. She had to be put on a daily course of steroids. This caused her to eventually lose the ability to control her hind legs after a while (it kicked in a week before she died). I pretty much knew then that it was borrowed time for her. The drugs also caused her to develop cysts/lesions/something like that, at the top of her lungs, so she was always breathless. We could have stopped the steroids but it would have caused the skin to flair up again. We could have kept her on the drugs and got through the bouts of paralysis, but it was distressing and confusing for her, and combined with the other problems there wasn\'t really any other kind option.
Vike - thanks for your kind words in the message you sent. I feel I know this place anyway as I have been visiting since broadband made pic browsing a less frustrating prospect, but it was a thoughtful welcome.
I think I will get over it quite well, but there have been times today that I\'ve really missed her, like when I didn\'t have to leave a little taste of my evening meal, as was our long-standing tradition. I suppose it will be a bit like giving up cigarettes. Even months afterwards there are times when you think \"Good time for a smoke\", and then feel crest-fallen when you realise that you don\'t smoke anymore. This will probably be harder, but I\'ll be ok.
Thanks again to all.