No kidding, seems we pour so much of ourselves into our family for 18+ years and then they move on. I love my parents dearly, but my "immediate" family is my husband and my two girls. It's hard to think that's how they're going to feel someday.

The girls actually get a little mad at me for treating the dog like I do. They say he doesn't realize he's a dog anymore! Hey, it sure keeps my less lonely and if the therapy dog plans work out it'll keep me busy as well.