I know what you are going thru. I put down my Lab/Golden retriever cross last June. her name was Alex and she was only 7 years old but she got cancer in her liver . I spent a pile of money just to find out what was wrong with her and in the end I had to do it for her sake. It sure is hard to let go but we gotta do it for our friend's sake. I picked up another Lab/Golden cross at a rescue and he is coming along fine, but I sure do miss Alex. Hang on to your memories of Elvis, but don't wait too long before you start building more memories with a new dog. Take it from me I waited over a year to get Alex after my old Yellow Lab was put down and it truly was one of the lonliest times in my life that I can remember. One more thing, when you do decide to get a new dog don't make the mistake of comparing him/her with your old friend, just start fresh and let him/her write a new chapter in your life.