Our oldest black lab mix, who is our oldest child and was adopted as an 8 week old at the humane society the morning his whole litter was brought in, is now 11, gray chinned, and takes arthritis medication daily. He gets so bummed out when he sees suitcases, so we actually don't pack too far in advance. Hard to leave him--he has slept in our bed since he left his crate. He wasn't 96 pounds when we started that habit! Our second oldest child is our second black lab mix, about 6 months younger, who #1 pup considers as his dog. Third child is two-legged DS, whose 9th b'day is today, and who hosted 9 other friends in a sleepover last night. Now I really need a vacation!