No bashing here either Val. You had to consider Doogie and that is the bottom line. I was in PetsMart once and there was a kitty there in a cage. It was a purebred Persian and just beautiful. The note on the outside of the cage said "my people got a dog and we don't get along so now I am out of a home." I was stunned. Had these people never bonded with their kitty? How could they do that? When last two poodles died my hubby said no more dogs. The grief was too much for him. We waited almost three years to get Bella (I wanted a dog way before that though). In the meantime my kitties helped me heal and of course the rest is history. Take your time Val and just know that we all understand completely.