Dom I'm going through the same thing with my 12 year old retriever right now. She's having a really tough time going up and down the stairs and we think this might be the year that we have to put her to sleep. She's an awesome dog, she's loyal as hell and loves everyone, but she's starting to get to old to do anything athletic. She's been sleeping a lot more then usual lately and it's getting tough on me. I can't remember not having her. The earliest childhood memory I have is bringing her home in a box when she was 7 weeks old. Anyways, I know what you're going through. Good luck with her