I felt several emotions arise within me as I read this blog (http://www.goldenbuddies.com/blog/2009/11/29/twelve-years-with-a-golden-retriever.html) about the afflictions of an elder golden retriever, Gracie. She had to be taken to the vet when she couldn't get her hind end to move or her back legs to hold any weight.
This dog owner began this article by saying that it was funny how things change in the blink of an eye. Life provides us with peaceful times where the world around us just naturally follows what we consider the rules of our lives. But as they say, every once in a while, it throws us a curve.