I am glad to see you hanging on to him and treating him great ! ,I see lots of folks selling there old veteran dogs . I just cant do it myself ,I am like you I feel I OWE HIM for all the hunts and pleasure he brought me .My vet recommended me putting mine down when his back got hurt a couple years ago and I couldnt do it ..he now gets around ok and lives a good life . when I run him he still jumps rabbits ahead of the others some days ,and he has figured out he cant run with them but he will come out and head them off !! Funniest thing you ever want to see ,he figured out he could get back up front by cutting them off ...LolSame here. If he comes to the kennel gate he gets in trailer. He has the run of the yard once it warms up in the spring. He walks with me most of the time cause he can’t hear or see. Has about 4 teeth left and gets can food every day. I’ll never be able to pay him back for all the hunts he led an the great pups that are running the show now. Wish he could live forever.