Wow, What some harsh things being said.

I know what your going through Catnapper. I had my RB Tasha.. for 13 yrs. She was 14 when we PTS. When she was about ummmm 8 or so, she stopped being able to walk. I didn't know what was wrong! she was always VERY active.. But, she sat in the spare room.. CRYING.. And wouldn't come to me. I Picked her up.. and Layed her in the room with my mom when I woke her up.. We took her to the vet. They Did Xrays,and found out she had Arthritis in EVERY vertibre in her back. So, they gave her a steroid Shot, and she was on Limited Activity for the rest of her life.. PAHHH Yea.. if anyone knew her, knew that was IMPOSSIABLE! He told me to keep her away from the other dogs, cause if they jumped on her.. it could paralyze her. I didn't care. She wouldn't have been happy that way. So, I figured best thing is to just let her be.. Normal. And if it happened again.. Then. I would go from there. She was alright till we pts. And she had bad days where she couldn't get up and down much.. But that is it. She was a Shep/Greyhound, and LOVED to run and Play tug. Well, One morn I woke up.. and we knew for the year up to it.. it prolly wasn't going to be much longer. And she was more or less my Moms dog.. so I was trying to prepare her for it. And When I woke.. I could tell something wasn't right.. And In a matter of like 5 hrs.. she wasn't walking again! So, I Bawled my eyes out.. and told my mom we needed to take her to the vet. Well, we got there..and she got up, and started walking... We were like.. Ok, Maybe she will be ok. So, they gave her a steriod shot.. and said go on home..and see if this helps.. if not.. come back. .and we will talk alternitives.. We went home.. and she got worse. We took her back to the vet, and was told it would cost 5k or more to run tests.. that MAY or MAYNOT find a problem. We don't have that kind of money for a maybe. So, we pts. It was the hardest decision in the world for us! it was the first time I saw my husband cry. But, a week after.. a friend of mine had a dog that needed a home. I took her in. and She comforted my mom more then I had seen in a while. She was very Loving. And very Sweet. We had her about a yr.. and found her the Perfect home. But, the fact that we brought in another dog.. helped my mom cope with the loss of Tasha. It wasn't a Replacement. and I didn't bring her in as a permanent thing.. It was a foster thing.

But the Bottom line is. People tend to get dogs to "replace' there passed dog.. But.. Not everyone. Sometimes getting another makes the adjustment Soo Much easier. And Elderly dogs tend to liven up A LOT with a youngin around. Tasha was NEVER alone. She had a cat the first year with us, and then as time passed, I had fosters, and took in new ones. So, thinking of her being alone wouldn't be something I think she would want. Heck Nicki may like to know that you have someone to comfort you when she is gone. And it may brighten her up as well. I say GOOD FOR YOU! ONLY You will know when it is time!