We had one live to 19. My parents got a puppy right after they got married. They had me 2 years later. Dusty died when I was 17. He was 19. First time I saw my dad cry.
I had to put down my little cocker this summer at 191/2 years. I got her from the Humane Society when she was 2. Very sad but it was her time.
I knew a guy who had a golden (he was a steward for dog shows in Dallas) who was about 19 when he died (the dog was 19, I mean). The guy died a year or two before the dog. It was sad, but sort of appropriate since they were inseparable.