Perhaps the word isn't so much depressing, as terribly saddening. I have had the same thoughts, Sandra-rx, that the board members have such compassion and soul for others, especially the four legged kind. However, sometimes we forget to direct some of that to the well meaning but poor spoken ones who attempt to join the conversations, but are made to feel "less than" and then they just fade away. Too bad we can't all be as compassionate towards each other as we are towards our loving little furry babies. Anywhoo...The thought of losing either of my remaining little guys just terrifies me, and will send me to tears. I pray everyone who has lost a pet knows that they are in a good place now, and those who have pets now will always do the right thing for them. I held by little papillion a couple of years ago as he took his last breath, and it almost destroyed me. I can't imagine that losing a child could be any harder. I'm sure it must be, but I pray I never have to find out.