RE: Taco Bell

There are going to be tough times ahead, Samuel. Try to keep in mind that dogs express their grief in different ways. Here are some tips:

• Don't pretend that everything is okay. Show your respect to Tinkerbell by sitting down with her (Sit, Tink!) and gently explaining that Gidget is now romping joyfully through fields of burritos and soft tacos.

• Read Tink some stories that allow her to project her feelings on the stories characters. Old Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows might be good choices, as in both cases the dog (or dogs) die at the end.

• Reassure Tink that you will never, ever force her to be in a Taco Bell commerical.

Hopefully this will help. Good luck and be strong, Samuel.