Thank you for the heads-up. My Big Boy, Oscar, will be 10 in May and I started him on Rimadyl a few months ago because of severe arthritis in one of his shoulders. He is a hunting dog and has been active his whole life.

He seems to be doing really well on it. I have tried a few other things and this is the one that has made the biggest difference.
His prescription ran out a few weeks ago and I stopped it to see if it made a difference and he came up lame quite a bit more. Poor guy...he is my first baby and its hard to see him sore. I put him back on it a week ago and so far so good.

I will definitely keep an eye on his eating habits...he eats anything and everything...typical Lab.

Sara is at an age where little things start to compound and they just can't recover as fast. Twelve is getting up there for a Lab and I think as long as she is comfortable you should just enjoy the few years she may have left. I am not looking forward to those days and my heart goes out to you.
I will keep thinking good doggy thoughts for you, your BF and Sara.