old bird dogs

My condolences.
 
So sorry for your loss but I'm glad you were able to take that last trip together.
 
My Lab is 12 1/2 and did fine on a 2-hour jaunt through some pretty stout vegetation on Monday. I'm convinced that in his own mind, he's still that ripped up, 72-pound stud he was a decade ago. His game has always been pure power -- no matter the cover, he gives wild pheasants two choices: fly or die. There've been a few that didn't get up fast enough for one reason or another, and he gladly killed them on the ground and brought them to me. There might've been one or two hens that suffered that fate, but my memory is fuzzy about that and, after all, he's color-blind.

He's not a great house dog, as he carries his "bull in a China shop" mentality wherever he goes. We've adapted to his ways, though, and fortunately, my wife is a very tolerant person. We know he doesn't break valuable things on purpose -- he's just a little bit excitable.

I've loved quite a few dogs in my day, but none have ever expressed as much love for me as he does, and it's been that way since day 1. I'll do absolutely anything necessary to make the final part of his life as enjoyable as possible for him. I owe him, big-time.
 
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I am sure we have all made the decision. I feel like it's a sacred bond, you took them in as a pup, suffered the learning pains, ( actually I liked that!), and had a steady loyal companion for years, it's only right you were there at the end. Don't wait to long for another one! I did that with Labs years ago, I rectified that last year. He does not replace my "great one", but he doing a great job, and I am sure happier with him. Good or bad we enjoy ourselves, home and or hunting.
 
I've loved them all . . . the good, the bad, the indifferent, the spectacular. God never made a more loyal & trusting creature than a dog. No small wonder that the same 3 letters spell 2 words very important to me . . .
 
koja48 said:
I've loved them all . . . the good, the bad, the indifferent, the spectacular. God never made a more loyal & trusting creature than a dog. No small wonder that the same 3 letters spell 2 words very important to me . . .
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Amen to that.
 
Truth,

Sorry for your loss. The old guy lived a full life and gave you a lifetimes worth of memories to recount on. Gotta believe he's in a better place now that the creator has called him home.
 
My condolences, Truth. It is funny how much they become a member of the family. I like to think like that episode of the Twilight Zone, that we will be together again in that great field in the Great Beyond. To all the dogs that have gone on, till we see you again...
 
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Tombstone17 said:
I like to think like that episode of the Twilight Zone, that we will be together again in that great field in the Great Beyond.
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If I get there, the first thing I'm going to do (after getting reacquainted with some relatives and friends, of course) is try to get a meeting with God so I can ask him why dogs couldn't have longer lives. I know my dad will go with me for moral support.
 
bogey

part of this was posted in passing awhile back but here it is again. many of you will remember the 15th birthday party i threw for bogey. bogery made it through 14 seasons keeping up, but barely did much the early part of his 15th. the trip i made this fall back east was really tough on him and for the most part, didn't do well. he died while visiting my college friends golf course in n. y. he led a great life and few will ever find the wild birds in numbers that bogey did. he can now over look the first fairway and go hunt that great wheat field in the sky when ever he wants. while i miss the ol' guy, what is really going to hurt is when the last of the two i have left, now 10 and 7 pass on and if i am still here to see it, will be the problem of not being able to start another one. when in passing, you have to look forward but for me, just maybe there won't be any forward, in the mean time you will still have to put up with me for awhile longer. can still keep up with the two i have but it is tougher and the days have shortened a bit.

cheers
 
Sorry to hear about your loss. I will be taking my dads yellow lab out next week to South Dakota for her last hunt. She's 12 years old and has been making the 2 yearly trips since she was a 6 month old pup. The memories that she and my dad provided me with will be with me forever. My dad passed away this summer to cancer and I owe it to my dad and his last dog to take her for one last trip even if it's just for a nice easy walk down a ditch. I know my dad will be watching over us smiling as he watches his last hunting dog go for her last hunt in the place they both loved so much! And I'll be there at the end when that day comes and I'll spread her ashes in the same fields that I'll be spreading his in next week. Our hunting dogs are more than just family, sometimes they are just what you need to keep you going in life and after this summer I'll never be with out a lab in my house!!
 
an excellent & noble plan, waterdog!
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Great stories and memories fellas. These dogs give it their all and ask for nothing in return. Yet we treat them like kings and queens, as it should be. Always enjoy them while theyre here. It goes by way too fast
 
Great thread here. I am planning to show this to my wife. I have a 12 year old golden that loves to hunt, has whelped 28 puppies, and is still excited go get in the truck. The hearing is gone, but I can't bear to leave her at home this Dec. when we travel to ND. I think we wwill watch her closely, and maybe rest her some, but I think it would kill her and me to leave her at home this trip. I believe I will bring a shovel I don't thinkit is a bad way to die for a hunting dog than in the field doing what they love.
 
goldenboy said:
Great thread here. I am planning to show this to my wife. I have a 12 year old golden that loves to hunt, has whelped 28 puppies, and is still excited go get in the truck. The hearing is gone, but I can't bear to leave her at home this Dec. when we travel to ND. I think we wwill watch her closely, and maybe rest her some, but I think it would kill her and me to leave her at home this trip. I believe I will bring a shovel I don't thinkit is a bad way to die for a hunting dog than in the field doing what they love.
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I think most hunting dog would rather be hunting than anything else in the world.
 
goldenboy said:
Great thread here. I am planning to show this to my wife. I have a 12 year old golden that loves to hunt, has whelped 28 puppies, and is still excited go get in the truck. The hearing is gone, but I can't bear to leave her at home this Dec. when we travel to ND. I think we wwill watch her closely, and maybe rest her some, but I think it would kill her and me to leave her at home this trip. I believe I will bring a shovel I don't thinkit is a bad way to die for a hunting dog than in the field doing what they love.
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I'm with you. My buddies dog was on my last trip with us. He is nearing 13 years old. Hard of hearing and slow. There were a couple times when he got a good whiff of birds he was excited and faster paced. I am sure it took a toll on him but who cares. He seemed happy and enjoyed the special food treats I mixed up for the dogs in the evening. Some fields he didn't get out of the kennel. He seemed to enjoy the time in the room with us at night. I hope my boy's take me out when I am old and blind and feed me some special treats:)
 
carptom1 said:
I'm with you. My buddies dog was on my last trip with us. He is nearing 13 years old. Hard of hearing and slow. There were a couple times when he got a good whiff of birds he was excited and faster paced. I am sure it took a toll on him but who cares. He seemed happy and enjoyed the special food treats I mixed up for the dogs in the evening. Some fields he didn't get out of the kennel. He seemed to enjoy the time in the room with us at night. I hope my boy's take me out when I am old and blind and feed me some special treats:)
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Carptom, I agree. I hope someone is kind enough to post me at the end of a field when I am old so I might shoot birds one more time!
 
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