Reno:
I share your feelings; we had to put down our german shepherd a while back. Yes, old age also.
I lost my 8 YO German Shepard to bone cancer almost 2 years ago, 106 pounds of pure sweetheart, who loved kids,cats,got along with other dogs, still miss him.
To Reno, sorry about your loss, get attached to the critters, the time is always too short.