Condolences on the loss of your pal. Coyotes consider any smaller animal fair game. We have one small dog, a Boston Terrier, and thank God we have a tall fence where he roams in our back yard, 'cause coyotes are all over the place, us being near the desert. I suspect our PB would protect him, though. I can't imagine your pain. It's hard to lose a loved dog from old age, but before its time in such a manner, that's really awful. Again, so sorry for you and your family. What a gut-wrenching experience for you all.