ooohh... my mom has had so many dogs, like 12, but her favorite was a shi-tzu named priscilla. the next part makes me feel terrible, but... we had her in the car on the way to go shopping [i was sevenish] and i opened the door. priscilla ran out, straight into the street, through my door, and a small car came by and hit her. the driver, curse his soul, looked out the window, saw her, and sped off, leaving us without saying anything. we got her almost to a vet, but by then she was gone... basiccally, i feel your pain. it happens to all pet owners, yet each time sadness comes anew.