[Trish]

Oh Merry, my head spins when I think of what you have to contend with. I too would be desolate without my husband and my dog, and I might even miss my kids! Boxers are such wonderful dogs. Archie is a "schnoodle" which is half schnauzer and half poodle. In Australia, or may be just here in Melbourne, we are big on crossing lots of different breeds with poodles so that they don't shed hair and so are less allergy producing. At least that is the theory. It started with "labradoodles" which were bred for people with low vision who had allergies to the usual labrador. It has become a bit of a joke with people and their "oodles"-comedians could be forgiven for sending us all up. Anyway our dog Archie is utterly adorable and is having a holiday at the beach at present with my sister who also adores him but doesn't feel she can commit to her own dog-mainly because she provides such a dizzingly high standar of care! Hmm-maybe she reminds me of someone! The kids will be very relieved when he comes home tomorrow.
I can also imagine it would be hard to be without your beloved desert-it really is a very difficult time in your life and the main difficulty is you don't know how much longer it will last-it could be a long time. I'm a bit concerned she may outlast your resources. Don't get me wrong I hope she lasts a long time but not at your expense.Your darling mother does sound like a fairly practiced con artist but you've been such a good daughter for such a long time you don't want to blow it at the end. I am reluctant to make any suggestions as only you know the situation intimately and only you have to live with your decisions but from the other side of the world it seems like you would be justified in the occasional ultimatum (to your mom, to your brother?? ). Do they realise that your resources (like everyone elses on the planet) are finite?
Anyway come online and "ventilate", as my middle daughter would say, any time.
Stay well Trish