We lost our bully Jasper this morning. He was born on January 2nd, 2002, so he made it almost 12 years, a long life for a Bullmastiff. He actually went hiking with us last weekend, 1 1/2 hour hikes on Saturday and Sunday, and he did great -- but this week he stopped eating, and when we took him to the vets on Friday they said his heart was giving out. Last night he lost the use of his rear legs, probably because his heart just couldn't pump enough blood, so we let him go peacefully this morning. Even though he was our big tough protector, whenever he was scared, he was mommy's boy, so I held his head in my lap, which soothed him as he left us. He was the best dog EVER -- and we will miss him forever!