Stinky Wink was a gift from our older son. He and his wife had two Corgi boys from the same litter, and PawPaw took care of them during the day, since I had a job then, where I could mostly work from home. When they got a divorce and she moved to another state, she took the boys with her. I was devastated. In addition, we had just lost our 17-year-old Cocker mix, who died in his sleep. One day, here came Adam with Stinky Wink. Although there had been three other dogs in my life, Wink was the first one that was really mine. The day I carried him home and laid him on the couch while I prepared his final bed, I swore to my wife that I would never go through this again. I had all the right reasons. I'm too old. The pain is too much. etc etc. Now, as the sharp pain is becoming a dull ache--an ache that is going to stay with me and never go away, like the arthritis in my knees--I'm realizing that I need another fur baby. I think that at first I almost thought it would be an insult to Wink. But someone on here recommended Jon Katz's book, Going Home. I got it and read it in one day. Anyone who has lost a dear pet should read this book. He deals with so many issues surrounding pet loss, and one of them is the idea that it is not demeaning to the memory of your lost pet. Wink trotted to the door to meet my wife every day when she came home. When she came in yesterday, she said, "Geez, I miss Winker. We need another dog." I had been thinking about it off and on and had pretty well decided the same thing. I had already checked with a local breeder who will have a litter this month, with babies available mid-May. I put in an official request. Wink can never be "replaced." Nor would I want to. But love is not like grief. When grief is shared, it lessens; when love is shared, it grows. Wink's part of my heart is secured. There will never be anyone or anything there but him. There are, however, some parts that need filling. My besses puppo, you are always in my heart and my thoughts, and always will be. You are my Stinky Wink forever!