GG,
thanks for the comments. Yes, we lost our oldest Rottie girl, Annie, a couple of months ago and she, too, took the decision out of our hands. She collapsed and passed away as I was lifting her into the van to take her for an ultrasound.
That, too, was swift and relatively painless. We've had some of our kids hang on for months. We've had to say goodbye to them when they could still understand what was happening. I'll take the way Annie and OJ went any time. It doesn't hurt us any less but it certainly is more humane for them.
And, yes, life goes on. You miss them but you have to be sure to refocus your love on the living.
Jim