NitroX,
It is always sad to loose a good dog but what a blessing it is to have had one, a good one. If every dog year is 7 to our one they give more than 7 times the enthusiasm, companionship and love in their compact little lives and many times the memories. My favorite eulogy for a dog was written by US Senetor George Vest on the passing his hunting dog:

" The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world is his dog. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come with the encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a King. When all other friends desert, he remains."

Sorry for your loss.