Tom,
I am very sad to hear this terrible news. I hope Champ didn't suffer. I hope you are doing O.K.
I have had my chocolate lab for 1 year (he is 2 yrs old now - I got him from the pound) and I can't even think of him going away.
We will all deal with this at some point but, it really sucks.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Keith