Babbling is PERFECTLYacceptable, sweeite, and a big <<HUG>> right back!

I would DEFINITELY get a second opinion, and a third, until you feel COMFORTABLE that you have the right information. We're lucky, in that our vet is AWESOME, and he really cares about his patients, AND their families. His wife is also his partner in practice, and she actually came to the house when we had to put down our Akita-Chow cross. She agreed that Nikita would be happier just nodding off at home with us...

And I totally hear you about the dogs being as important as anyone else. I would be LOST without them, even the damn cat, LOL. But my dogs are just... necessary (and spoiled, too! LOL)

Get the second opinion, definitely. And in my experience, when you hear the vet telling you the RIGHT things, you'll know it, because it will just make sense to YOU, know what I mean?