Dorrie, I'm so sorry. My good friend Willie-dog, after almost 5 years of prolonged puppy-dom (we didn't think we could keep him, he was so high-maintenance!) is settling into a really wonderful, friendly , irreplaceable member of the family. He'll be my buddy after my kids are launched in a few years.
I give you a prayer that is also one of my favorite bumper sitckers:
Lord, make me as good as my dog thinks I am!