DEAR ERIC: I am 71 years old. Our dog, who has been with us for 17 years, has cancer. He has only days to live. For my entire life, I have lived with pets. While I would like to have another dog, for the first time in my life, it is likely that a new pet will outlive me. Would it be thoughtless for me to take on a new pet at this stage of my life?
– Grieving Granddad…