Hey Caligirl, I'm so sorry for your loss. And I know how you feel. About a month and a half ago, I came back from vacation (had a friend housesitting the dog and two cats) and opened the door to find my pooch, a 14-year-old lab/shep mix, couldn't move. I took her to the vet and they found her stomach was full of blood, and she had cancer everywhere. I had to put her down that night. So I wasn't with her during her last week, and spent a huge portion of my time before that riding while she sat in the house by herself.

But the bottom line: "What ifs" are useless. Both our pooches had happy, healthy owners, and I think that made them happy dogs. If I wasn't out riding, I'd be slouching around the house, depressed and anxious -- not much fun to have around. Your dog had the company of your other pets, and I'm sure that was also a comfort for him. And there was nothing you could have done except love him, which you did.

I've since adopted two puppies and they are tearing up my house (probably at my old dog's cosmic direction). A week ago, I went for a three-hour ride, the first since before Niki died. When I came back, the 3-month old puppy peed directly in my shoe and then sat and stared at me.

Gotta love the karma.