KayAnn, Please don't despair, we are thinking of you during this scary time. Talk to someone, talk to us, and most important hold Simba close.
I would give my right arm to hug Shai and tell her I loved her and she was a good dog just one more time. God gave her to me as a gift, and he took her as a gift. Maybe like someone said the little 11 year old that died was so lonely for a dog of his own and since Shai was sick and we didn't know it, he took her for him. That way she wouldn't suffer later and she died with me beside her, she may not have known what was going on, but she knew I was with her at the end.
Anyway, my dear KayAnn, we as a country will get thru this, and be stronger b/c of it.
Take care, little one,(you are little to me!) and do me a HUGE favor:
Check out this little girl that was dog of the day in 99 - she could be Simba's sister. Wasn't he born on Christmas day? Check out what day she was DOTD.
Take care and know that we all love you and Simba http://DogoftheDay.com/archive/1999/December/25.html