We lost our 13 year old Lab last year, the week of Christmas. We waited too long. It was a hard night, watching him die. We should have put him down before that, but it was so hard to make that decision, especially when he rallied and acted like his old self. When he had good days, we just couldn't bring ourselves to do it. When he had bad days and we convinced ourselves that it was time, he must have understood what we were saying, because he would suddenly act like a young dog again. I understand your feelings and heartbreak. My husband was devastated and said he never wanted another Lab. Our DD and DSIL knew better and adopted a black Lab/Great Dane cross the day after Christmas and surprised him. My DH fell in love all over again and now we have another dufus, goofy, happy-go-lucky big black dog that owns our hearts.