[Pipe_Dream]

I'm very sorry to hear that, Reel. You know the most we can do is to treat them well in their later years -- as if we didn't treat them well already. They've given us so much that we owe them some gentle treatment and patience. I lifted my first two Labs in and out of the boat, but later on they didn't seem to enjoy the rides as much unless the water was slick. They didn't care for the bouncing -- the same bouncing that they could sleep through when they were young. Sure she still wants to be around you so make it as easy on her as you can. It's all about quality time.