I have never had a working dog but have of course had companions. In fact we laid to rest one of mine on May 21st his condition was declining quickly, nearly blind and with very poor hearing all due to old age. In a weeks time he would have reach 15 years of age:-

J-D (aka jack Daniels)

After moving where I am now and there being no where to walk lie we used to he started putting on weight so we found him a companion to help keep him fit:-

At 10 months old and on his first day here.

And as he is now.

We still mourn J-D and I doubt I'll see his like again.