I feel compelled to share my story about having to put my best friend
for eleven years, a 29 pound female lhasa Apso to sleep. I bought her
from a
respectable breeder when she was six months old and weighed 22
pounds.
She was big for her breed and people thought she was a Tibetan
terrier..

She always had plenty of energy and loved to walk. she barked briefly
at everybody she saw. She was saying hello. Years ago, when she was
about a year old, people were admiring shoes at a old fashioned wrap
around store window and I told her to say hello. She barked and the
people nearly jumped out of their clothes. Since then she never
stopped.


She was always friendly with other dogs, except she knew when dogs
were menacing and avoided them.


She was faithful and loving, allowed you to do any kind of grooming,
cleaning or administer any eye drops, which she recently needed, acct
mucous forming. She would attempt to eat off my wife's plate, because
I spoiled her by giving her treats.


You had to watch how you talked, because she semed to understand
english. She would run in from the bedroom, when she heard something,
like being hungry, going in car etc.


She would come over to me at about supper time and sit in front of me
and tap me with her paw to start cooking supper, even though her food
was already there.


We gave her raw vegetables and fruit. Years ago we gave her cheese
and
pasta and that I think caused her toget calcium stones in bladder and
a subsequent operation to remove them.


A few days ago she made me take her out frequently at all hours and
when she came back she would cosume a large amount of water. I took
her to
the vet and they diagnosed her with diabetes and a urinary infection,
which I missed, as I thought it was a anal gland problem. She had a
very strong heart the doctor said.


My wife being ill herself and needing around the clock care and
awaiting entrance to a hospital, I felt I could not cope with two
problems and the stringent care the dog would need and other problems
developing because of diabetes.


I had her put to sleep and I am heartbroken. She was the best dog I
ever had and cannot say anything bad about her.


I am a senior and not in any rush to get another dog, Since Lhasa
Apsos really only come in small sizes, I was thinking after my wifes
problems are resolved I was thinking of getting a tibetan terrier or
havanese. I am in a appartment and I do not think it is suitable for
a
large breed.


I wish I could have cloned my pet, but that is impossible at the
present time.


What breeds do you think are affectionate, gentle and intelligent and
suitable for my situation?


Roger