My wife and I went to St. Louis today with our son and his family. They just got a new puppy from Love at First Sight. He's a Boxer mix. They think the other part is bloodhound. He's only about six weeks old, and he went with us to St. Louis. Between Grandpa (me) with weak hips and legs and puppy with his small bladder, we made several stops both directions. I bought a book at Barnes & Noble that I would highly recommend to all dog lovers. It's written by Dean Koontz (yes, the horror novelist). It's a true story about their dog Trixie. It's called A Big Little Life: a memoir of a joyful dog named Trixie. I can't wait to finish it, although I know it's going to summon tears on more than one page. When we got home the house was so dark and quiet. We always left the tv playing and some lights on for Stinky Wink. Tonight there was no light and no tv and no Stinky Wink trotting to the kitchen as we came in the back door. I'm crying less but missing him more. Koontz dedicates the book to his wife Gerda, "who shared the wonder and the loss, who knows that the pain was so great because the joy before it was even greater...." Anyone who has ever loved and lost a fur-friend knows exactly what he means. I love you Winker, my besses puppo!