Got him when he was a little pup , never thought much about his birth date or how old he was til 3 or 4 years into him being with me. I went back and looked at his vet records at the time to determine his age, give or take. As of yesterday Ski was either 15 or 16 years of age, he was my best friend, without question. Went just about everywhere with me. When I took a job offshore, he came along, 5 to 8 days out in the Gulf, no land in sight, it did not bother him, he was with me. Long road trips, etc. When he could not come, he'd wait patiently and greet me with his epic howl, sniff me around and then demand a feeding. He passed last night, I am thankful to have been there by his side as he took his last breaths, to see him off. To anyone who might be on the fence about adopting a dog, but worry about the eventual death and suffering you might have to endure. Please adopt, the suffering is worth all the great memories. R.I.P Ski