I don't understand why, but animal spirits seem to be so much more free than ours. My old German Shepherd, Jenny died July 14 and Kati (my German Shepherd that I just lost) was born July 17. Kati's AKC name was: Jenny's Back in Black.

When I was with her while they were giving her the final shot, (crying uncontrollably and holding her head) I knew when her spirit had left. It was the oddest thing and came over me completely unbidden. I knew that the dog I was looking at was no longer Kati. Of course, DH and I still took time, cried, covered her with her favorite blanket, etc.

DH is having a terrible time. He has never been through this and it is bringing up all of his Vietnam memories of buddies who were killed in combat and he never grieved.