Had to have my faithful companion put to sleep on the 10th of this month, jourdain. She was a 16 year old miniature doberman cross who had contracted some unpronounceable illness related to older dogs not having been spayed - organ failure, riddled with arthritis. Vet said it was the right and humane thing to do but still a hard decision to have to make. Still not quite used to not having her around the house, so i do know how you feel right now and totally sympathise with you.