Oh my god, my heart is breaking for you. Please do not hesitate to PM me if you need to talk, I know how sad you are feeling right now.((((((((hugs))))))

Rest in Peace Echo.

Also, I found this story on a pit bull board I go to. I've read it probably 50 times by now and it has helped me make sense of things a little bit. I'll post it her for you.

Hugs,
Stephanie, Brian, and Guinness

WHY DOGS DON'T LIVE AS LONG AS PEOPLE

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish
Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their
little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for
a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there
were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia
procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and
Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to
observe the procedure. They felt Shane could learn something from the
experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family
surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last
time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few
minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept
Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the
sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had
been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to
him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me - I'd never heard a more
comforting explanation.

He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life -
like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued,
"Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."