as a dog owner, i will tell you that it is a day you never want to come. but it does and you have to embrace it and look back on your dogs life. and as others have said 17 and a half years is really something for a dog. my dog growing up hit... maybe 14 years if that. you hope it will never come, but it must, and that is part of the contract you acknowledge when you get the dog as in life in general. there is never enough time. i am very sorry for your loss johnny.