You guys are awesome! Let me tell ya about Nik's arrival. I had a rottie that had a tumor on his brain. We had to put him down and I felt awful! It was like a whole in my throat all the way down to my stomach - it ached! I was sitting at the table one day and looked down at the paper and I was crying for Spike - I closed my eyes and asked God to help me get over this horrible pain. And I looked down at the news paper and there seemed to be a light coming from behind an add - it said "free rottweiler" - oh I know - that was dumb to go for it cause she is a rottie -- but I did - I called her and found out a little about her. She sounded perfect and the woman said she'd be right over! Her name was Izzy (ugh - I like Niki better) and she dropped Nik off. She came to us with an infected uterus and a huge infection behind her eye - and she was addicted to steroids - which I did not know until I got her to the vet - which was a couple of days - enough to cause some problems for her cause she didn't get any steroids since she was at my house. Poor thing - she was 5 yrs old and totally fell in love with our family! She was soooooo awesome and there will never be another like her! We had her for over 8 years - she bonded to me like I have never felt before! My husband and I always say "NIKI"S THE BEST!". About a year ago, we found another rottie in the paper - this one was a kimbertal dog - very nice rottie! Excellent disposition and got along with Nik beautifully! - can't figure out why anyone woould spend so much for one of these lovely dogs and tie them up out back! She didn't even know her name - nor did she care when we said "come on Cloe get in the car! " She just got iin real happy and never looked back! We changed her name too - She's Sheeba now! She was also 5 when she was out of a home! ugh - what's wrong with people? When they get older is when they are thier best! So sweet and so gentle - and so loyal! and you are right - crying is a way of us letting out our emotions - God gave us those emotions for a reason - so don't feel bad about them - when I find myself getting upset about my Nik - I just imagine her being in heaven and running through fields and having a smile on her face chasing the other dogs - then my crying will start ringing in her ears - and Niki could never have stood that! And she would be pulled aside from her fun in heaven - to worry about me all over again and I don't want that - I want her to enjoy her rewards! So, that is how I let go and let God! Hope I didn't ramble too much - looking back at this - it doesn't come near the real story of Niki and my love affair! guess there are no words to explain - you need to have been in a relationship with a special animal to understand this sort of tie! But I guess this is the place to find others with the same sort of stories and be understood! thanks for reading!