I am overwhelmed with the kindness of the words I have read in this thread.  As you all know, the transition has been hard, for us and our doxies who miss him.  I hope we will feel better once we have him back home.  Shortly after he was diagnosed I purchased a beautiful pottery urn as his final resting place.  It sits in the living room where I can see him and talk to him every day.  I have also gathered several (hundred) pictures to upload and create a photo book so we have a permanent memento of his life.  We have enjoyed laughing and crying as we have gone through the pictures from over the years.  

Thank you to all for your comforting and sympathetic words.  Know that they have helped guide us through this transition.