Terri,
I am so sorry about this. I wish you the best.
Our shepard/malamute was 13 1/2 when we had to put her down a year ago last Aug. She had bad hips and the the last 9 months of her life she was on "prednisone". It helped tremendous. Maybe you should ask you vet about prednisone. My vet said, when this doesn't help any longer than it is time. And yes Terri, we knew when it was time.
I am praying for you all.