Dave,
Your story has me getting all teary-eyed over here. She's a beautiful girl, she will be missed dearly, I'm sure. When I was growing up, my dad had a couple dogs, 2 dalmatians, 1 was a mix (Roxy), the other purebred but spotless (Amy). When Roxy passed, I believe I was younger and didn't really see my dad's reaction. However when Amy passed, it's the first time I ever remember seeing my Dad cry. She had been a "rescue" but of a different sort. There were some purebred dalmatian breeders who had her and were going to put her down as a puppy just because they didn't want anyone to question the purity of her siblings. My Dad took her to save her, one of the sweetest dogs we ever had.
It's amazing just how they truly do become our best-friends. My wife and I have a little Chihuahua Poodle, Niko, he's sitting right here looking at me as I'm writing this. He wants me to throw his ball for him, loves to play fetch. He's 3 years old now, and it seems like yesterday when we got him. I do not know WHAT I will do when his time comes. I try not to think about it.
I can hardly imagine what you're going through. Offer you my best wishes Sir. She's in a better place now, happily floating on her iceberg.
-Devon