thankyou so much for the advice..i have come to feel that i will know if the time is right. just taking it a day at a time, as the saying goes. i have a couple of "rental" dogs, (my grandsons 2 dogs) that i can take on a walk and they can visit at my house. but no dog is MY dog and as long as i feel that way, i will wait. thx again for your thoughts.