I've been almost completely off blog world for almost 2 months.  But I'm really sad.  My Dobe died today.  She was 12.  She was ailing for a while and then I had to be out of town for 2 weeks.  My husband was here though, except for a couple of days.  I felt that she was a bit relieved when I came back  She had become skin and bones because she was refusing food and was so weak.  But last night, (around 24 hrs ago), she got up and went outside as it was a clear night.  She loved being out in the dark.  I stood outside with her and she drank a great deal of water.  Then she kind of staggered upto me and leant against me as she sometimes did and wanted me to pet her--her good bye I guess.  I'll really miss her.