Dragonsegg
Eager
Thank you all for the sympathetic comments. My Smokeman(Smokey) left us two weeks ago and I am having someone from a rescue come look at our house tomorrow so I can find another friend when I see a pet that touches my heart. I don't want a replacement but somehow I am just sad and empty without a friendly face looking up at me from the "prince" blanket on the couch. I guess that is what happens when you have a family pet for over 16 years. You just can't resist another to cuddle and fuss over. It is kind of a shock to me that rescues now charge $300+ to consider letting you adopt a pet plus references and house visits etc. Still I am going for a rescue rather than buying a puppy since that only encourages overbreeding.