I lost my beloved Bassett Hound in Feb 1994. Had to take a week off work and a trip to Alaska just happened to fall in place at the same time. Made me wonder if someone higher up was watching over me. I said no more pets. That didn't work out well as I've had two cats since that I've had to put down and then I said absolutely no more pets. Period! Well now I have 6 cats plus some strays. I worry that I'll go first and they'll be without there pa. It works both ways. Dang things, they adopted me, I had no choice.