Today we lost our buddy and constant companion, Ben. He hasn't been dead for 2 hours yet, but I know he is frolicking with his buddies and my other animals that have gone over the rainbow bridge. I just want to say PLEASE DON"T BUY ANIMALS FROM PET SHOPS. I did not know that my local pet store bought dogs from puppy mills. Ben was born with deformed hips. He was the most beautiful corgi I had ever seen so I bought him for my mom as a christmas present on Dec 12, 1997. So Ben really had two moms because my mother was not able to keep him so I took him and she visited. She had such a bond with him, like they were soul mates. I ask anyone reading this to say a prayer for my Mom Marion because she is grieving so terribly-her heart may never heal. Ben was supposed to weigh 30 pounds but because he couldn't exercise due to his hips, he weighed twice that. He always managed OK but last week we noticed a serious change and we decided his quality of life was not what it should be.The vet agonized with us and we came to a decision that I hope we can live with. If only they could tell us......My heart breaks as I write this and I already feel strange in the house-I miss his laboured breathing and his calming presence. Ben, you were a brave , wonderful, gentle, adoring animal and I know we'll meet again one day.