[southernnorthcarolina]

As others have said... been there, done that, and I well know how it feels. I'm a fan of, and a multiple owner of (albeit always one at a time) another German breed. My current (and, I hope, long-term) companion is pictured on my FR profile page -- more info about him, in fact, than about me, which is probably as it should be. I've lost dogs after long illnesses, and I've lost them suddenly and traumatically. Neither is easy.

I was about to say "get another one," until I saw that you already have done so. I say "get another one" not to imply that Albert is replacable, but rather that having the opportunity to experience a puppy grow to maturity is a great experience. Look at it this way: wouldn't it be a bummer if dogs lived to be 80 years old? Think of the implications.

Eight or ten years is a long life for a giant breed such as a Great Dane; twelve years is getting old for a medium-to-large dog such as yours or mine; the little guys may make it to fifteen or so. But even as every dog has his day, we move on, and we may be privileged to see and assist the puppy-to-dog transition again.

[TC Rider]

As others have said... been there, done that, and I well know how it feels. I'm a fan of, and a multiple owner of (albeit always one at a time) another German breed. My current (and, I hope, long-term) companion is pictured on my FR profile page -- more info about him, in fact, than about me, which is probably as it should be. I've lost dogs after long illnesses, and I've lost them suddenly and traumatically. Neither is easy.

Atlas is a cutie! He reminds me of Blue, a Vishla my wife had when we married over 25 years ago. He went suddenly at a young age and it broke our hearts. In hindsight I prefer that to the daily pain we've endured over the last three months watching Albert waste away.