Thanks everybody, you know i said to myself you have done this before you will get through this and come out the other side OK .
Im telling you what this one is hard .
I feel your loss Pat - we lost our 3 year old black lab (Tiki) to liver failure about 2 years ago. She was perfectly healthy in every way until her liver just quit for no known reason. We did everything we could for her, but to no avail - less than 3 weeks after diagnosis we had to put her to sleep.
She was the most wonderful and lovable dog I've ever had, she was a big goofy 80 lb Lab who thought she was a lap dog. I am actually getting a little misty-eyed just typing this and remembering her. I'm 43 years old and I cried my eyes out at work when I had to make the final call to the vet. It's one thing when the dog has had a good full life, it's another to have her stolen away from you.
You'll get through it. When it starts to hurt just a little less, go get yourself a puppy. It won't be a replacement, but it will be someone new to share life with and help take your mind off it.
Jim