Wmuteach, so sorry to hear of your lost. I'm on my 3rd boxer, had to put down my 2 ND 1 at only 8yrs old and I still get overwhelmed thinking of him. I get super attached and waited 15yrs before I decided I needed another buddy. There were 2 reasons, 1 I was retired and hubby still works, grandkids moved away after watching them for 5 yrs, and I needed a companion. 2 nd reason, just like every other city, crime is horrible, and big dogs are better than any security system.