We put our 14 year old lab down two weeks ago today. It was time, she was shutting down. It was a terrible experience - no two ways about it.

To comment on your question regarding when you might think about getting another dog...I always thought I would be the one that wanted another dog right away, and the wife would want to wait. Well, turns out just the opposite is true.

But, we visited the local shelter and they just so happened to have an awesome litter of pups - nice big healthy black mix breeds, the mother is a large hound and not sure on the father, but looks like lab.

We are picking ours up this week - currently trying to pick out a name!

I miss our old girl terribly, but I think it will be great to have an active, playful dog again...it's been a while since we've had that sort of "dog energy" around the house. Although the 6 and 8 year old kids keep us hopping...

Good luck in whatever you do - you will know when the time is right!

Dave