I'm with Aly on the emotional support. When I feel down Jeffrey always senses my feelings and comes to me so hyper and full of love, I can't help but get up and play with him or go for a nice long walk. Bandit loves to snuggle and gives me so much love just by being there to hold.

On another note: Our family dog Lucky (1963-1979) saved my father's life. My father is hard of hearing. One day he went for a walk in the woods near our home. He said Lucky started barking and acting strange. Everytime he tried to walk down the path Lucky would jump in front of him and bark. He tried to go around but Lucky grabbed his pant leg. He realized something was wrong and looked around closely. On the path ahead was a rattlesnake, coiled and ready to strike. My father didn't hear the warning rattles. He had his rifle with him and was able to kill the rattlesnake before he was bitten. If anyone knows anything about rattlesnakes you can appreciated this: the snake was 6'1/2" with 18 rattles and a button. From the tracks he left on the path our neighbors recognized it as the same snake that had been killing their rabbits and chickens. Lucky, although gone, is still my hero!

[This message has been edited by Genia (edited May 21, 2001).]