From what I understand, old Ruby wasn't doing very well right after my mom died; she had quit eating. I am not sure if she is doing any better now (every time I talk to my sister Deanna, who is down there, we have to talk about other things). Poor old dog was trying to protect my mom even though she has almost no teeth. I was told by several people that dogs and cats don't feel emotion because they are too mentally limited. That is crap. Anyone who has seen a momma dog with her pups knows that dogs can feel. Anyone who has seen how happy a dog is when his human companion comes home knows that dogs can feel. Cats are a bit harder, but they too show that they love their human companions with their purring (and Squeak shows how devoted she is to Alyssa...even though Alyssa hasn't been here for a month, Squeak still lies in front of Alyssa's bedroom door, waiting for her). I feel very sorry for Ruby right now. She was a good and faithful companion to my mom, and I know she misses her.