I know this is an old thread but just thought I'd share. Last night I had to make the decision to put my golden retriever to sleep. I kind of inherited her after my mum passed away last year. She was my mums loyal companion for 10 years and mine for 1. I'm devastated to be honest and it seems worse than losing my mother. Obviously it's not but I suppose it's another link between me and her gone. I've to tell my daughter when she comes home from school and I'm dreading it. That's life I suppose. As you get older you lose things important to you.