When I bought my house in 1985, Booby was a house-warming gift. His original name was Pablo, but somewhere along the way, his name was changed to Booby. When he was about 2 years old - he was probably hit by a car and came home all bloody, but seemingly o.k. - The next morning I took him to the vet who said all was o.k. except that Booby had lost the use of 1 eye. He was able to keep the globe, but it was a gray marble-looking thing. I took him to the vet everyday (so they could keep the globe moistened) and picked him up every night. This routine went along for about 2 weeks, but all was well in 'Booby-world'. Booby watched boyfriends come and boyfriends go. Booby had a keen sense of character and would let me know what he thought about any particular guy. (He even urinated on one of them - Booby was not known for his subtly) - Booby was always there for me,through the heartaches and the trials. He always seemed to know exactly what I needed and was always there for 'his spot' for my Sat. afternoon naps. When the eye globe started looking weird, he had a 'pluck & sew" (that is to say that the eye globe was removed and the eyelids sewn shut) The vet, that did the procedure, said that his x-ray showed a tumor was growing inside the abdomen and that the accident 13 years ago was probably to blame. The vet actually did NOT recommend the surgery, since the tumor was going to kill Booby, shortly, anyway. But, we went forth. When the tumor began to grow, Booby and I went to 'CancerVet' (she has a webb-site and is an angel) and tried chemotherapy for treatment. It didn't help. We tried everything to no avail. Booby quit eating and became reclusive. Booby knew that he was leaving me and we both cried a lot. No matter what had gone in MY life, he had always been there for me - Booby was the constant reliable friend. I was assured that Booby was not in pain, but it became quite evident by Feb. 1998 that 'the time was near'. I hope and prayed each day (as I left for work) that he would die peacefully while I was away. However, each night he was still grasping. By Feb. 14th, I knew I had to let go. I realized that it was selfish to let him continue in this meager existance, without any joy. I knew that he held onto life, for me. I could not let the love of my life on Valentine's Day, so I promised him that if he did not handle the situation, I would. On Feb. 21th, 1998, I let him go. It was the hardest decision that I have ever had to face, but I realize, now, that he kept his part of the bargain. Booby stayed with me until I could let him go. For that, I am eternally grateful. As I left the vet's, it started raining and I knew that the Angels were crying, because they knew they had a real treasure. Booby.