I've set a running goal, but lost my running partner

Running is my main "sport."  I'm not a natural athlete, so I worked very hard to accomplish what I have.  Back when I graduated college in May 2005, I knew I was getting a dog.  And this dog was going to be my running partner.  :)  I picked Karma at the Cobb County Animal Shelter.  So she's been my running mate for 7 years now.  She was a little over 9 months old at the time, so I figure she's going on 8 years old right now.  She's a mutt, but from what I can tell she's mostly Plotthound.

Over the last couple of years, she's been dragging more and more.  She plops on the floor harder and harder after runs.  She pants heavily after running for a lot longer than she used to.  A few weeks ago, I took her on a 4.7 mile run and I found myself pulling her along at times and she was beyond exhausted when we finished.  A week later, I took her for a 3 mile run and I was pulling her along and she held me back from the pace I really wanted to keep.

Karma during one of our runs in February.

So I've stopped taking her running with me.  At least this way I'm able to keep the pace I want and go as far as I would like.  However, it's been.... a week or two and I miss having another live being alongside me.  :(  I don't have a human running partner.  I wouldn't mind having one, but I just don't have one currently.  Karma was an ever-ready running partner.  She never gave me any excuses and never complained even when she couldn't go any further.

I went running again today (just 3.22 miles), but I didn't take Karma with me.  She gave me a pitiful face.  She gets so excited when she sees me put my running shoes on, and disappointed when she sees me open the door without her leash in my hand. 

Karma this afternoon when I was leaving to go run without her.  She's expecting something.

I want my dog to be healthy (she's gained some weight over the last year....).  However, I don't want to hurt her.  She is getting older so she can't keep up like she used to.  Do I need to walk her for 35 minutes after I run for 25-45 minutes?  I hate walking...  So boring.  I know it's for the dog and I should just suck it up...

So I set a goal on Runkeeper to run 280 miles from Feb 1st - Sept 30th.  I got about 70 covered already.  I set the goal based on running an average of 35 miles a month.  This is much higher than I've ever done, even when I was in the police department.  I want to see if I can do it.  :)  The summer heat will make it tough.

Man...  This means 210 more miles to go without my ever faithful running mate.  :(  Makes me sad.