Could Dante be 'the next dog'?  I got this from a wonderful book by Pam Houston, "Sight Hounds". In this book, the story was told in segments by people and dogs. For example, one heading was, 'Dante #1",  then came something like "Gary #3", etc. Dante wasn't doing so well and Rose, or the little Rose Beast, as she sometimes called herself, knew that she would have to step it up like the teammates of an injured superstar athlete. She was 'the next dog'.

I don't want to say too much because I'd lost out on three shelter dogs that I'd had my heart set on and it broke my heart into a million pieces. His name's not really Dante (yet) but I hate his current name. Am I cruel? Our dear Arie isn't doing well. He's got this HUGE, horrible skin tumor..I'll spare the details of the horrible mess/smell. He's not a surgical candidate. He's thin and shaky looking. I'm kind of afraid of him. He doesn't seem to enjoy being petted much. He's 2.5 weeks from his 15th birthday. His appetite is wonderful and he gets around pretty well; often being able to jump on the couch or bed.

I never thought I'd be like this. I always thought I'd try to prolong life fervently unless there was suffering. I just know that dogs have so many years, and if you're lucky, they'll reach the top numbers. Nothing you can really do after that. When the end comes, I certainly cry as much as anybody else, even though I've picked out the next one. There will be another one to love and it will delight me to no end.  Am I throwing my best friend away to replace him? I'm not going to get rid of him or have him put to sleep just because he's incontinent or because I am looking forward to getting a new dog as long as he's eating and not in extreme pain. Still..maybe I shouldn't be so eager to replace him. Giving stray dogs a loving home isn't bad. .After all, Arie hasn't really been Arie in a long time.