After the loss of my dear Lab, Zeus I didn't think my heart would ever quit breaking. Every day I came home and sobbed over him. We had spent 13 years together and were very close. He was my boy and I did not think there would ever be another... then one fall day I decided to get a rotti puppy. I found one in my area from a local breeder and picked the biggest boy and brought him home. He was shy and quiet. He was also filled with ticks and fleas. I took him to the vet for a check up and he was sick. After several vet visits my new boy, Sidney, was doing much better. He grew and grew... I decided to quit my high pressure job and go back to school so Sid sat by my side during every project I created on the computer. It was just him and I. Zeus was raised my ex and myself so he had 2 people in his life. This was the first time I ever owned a dog and no one else was involved in raising him or training. It was a total connection. He grew to be 130 pounds by his 2 year birthday! He was big, smart and beautiful! He was a kind dog that was very loyal and loving to me. One sunday I woke up and scratched his neck, (He always slept by my bed on his rug.) and I felt some strange lumps. I looked in my dog book and called another friend with a rotti to see if this was something that was always there and I never noticed it! Monday I took him to the vet. The vet ran a few tests and I took him to another vet for a second opinion. It was confirmed that my sweet boy Sidney had cancer. (Lymphoma) I took him to a specialist and they said they could give him chemo and it would extend his life. I did all I could do for him even though I had no money and was in school. His medical bills were (and are) very high. I spent at least $9,000. on his treatments. He stayed in remission for almost a year but when he came out he slowly lost his fight at only 3 and 1/2 years old. Until the end he looked at me with loving eyes and filled my face with warm kisses. I stayed with him for at least 30 minutes after he crossed rainbow bridge. I kept telling him I loved him so very much. I laid on the floor with him hugging him and crying. My world was crushed. I will miss him forever and ever until we meet again and I can hug his neck, run and play and feel his sweet kisses on my cheek... I love you forever Sidney. XOXOX http://www.marbear.com/sidney