Norm -
I've owned Dobes since 1973, and only one has made it to 10 yrs 11 months...the rest (13 IIRC) all passed on right about 10 yrs...All good dogs; loyal, friendly, protective, and highly intelligent (more so than me!)...and all sorely missed...
I have one now, a Rescue, as well as a Weimaraner rescue, and it always brings a smile to see them just the way they are right this minute...The Dobe curled up on the couch, with the Weim sprawled on top of him...
I feel your pain...but when God closes one door, he opens another...Somewhere out there, right now, is another Dobe looking for a good home...