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16, my goodness - that's quite old for a pup!It sounds like you're on the right track - getting her on pain meds for her arthritis is the best for keeping her comfortable.  If at any time they seem to have quit working, contact your vet, and he may either switch medications, or "stack" another mild pain reliever on top of the one that you're using.I agree with you about his defecation.  While older dogs can lose elasticity in their inner sphincter (forgive me if I sound gross with my technicalities), causing them to be incontinent, if it's only happening when he's *really* trying to get himself up and going - you're probably right, it's the straining.  Now, it's possible that he has lost *some* elasticity, which makes it a bit easier for this to happen, but unless it's occuring at other times (i.e. while he's sleeping, just laying with you), I'd blame it on the stress of rising.Good luck with your boy!  What a wonderfully long life you've given him =)