I knew the first emotional challenge of the new year would be KiKi's health and being, and I was right. It is now up to ME to decide what is best for the most loyal friend I've ever had. Is it best to put him down because he is lost and bewildered? Most of my friends would fit into that category. There is the quality of life issue; he lived a privileged life and now he can't walk much and has developed open sores common with old dogs. We are not sure he knows us anymore and is totally deaf with his eyesight failing. Our friend Gary asked me yesterday if we put down people who are deaf and blind or old people who walk in circles, further confusing me. He has reached the equivalent of 101 years, the old 7 to 1 principle being much too simplistic. I don't think I'd be happy at that age. When Kiki goes, so will a great part of me.