As a veterinarian I've always wondered why a parrot can live to 70 years but a dog's life expectancy is 10-15 years. My only explanation is that it's gods curse on man. Sort of like a punishment that we deserve for all the bad things that Man does as a race. Dogs are truly "Mans Best Friend" Some of the hardest things I've had to do is put down dogs, Police dogs, little old ladies dogs, and truckers who take their dogs with them all over the USA are the hardest. I had hunting dogs as a kid and when I started college I gave them away to people that would would be able to take them out and let them do what they loved to do. At the time I thought It was the right thing to do for them, It hurt me so much to say good bye that I waited 30 years before I got another dog. My new little pal is with me 24/7 he goes to work with me every day, he goes out looking for nuggets/coins and jewelry with me. It's scary to think about what life would be like without him. Thanks for sharing your stories and photos of your "Best Friends" They deserve all the attention and love we can give them. strick