Cody's last hunt

PairOfLabs

PairOfLabs

Active member
I'll remember Friday forever. I was invited out for some complimentary sporting clays and an afternoon pen-raised hunt at Quail Run Sports in Elizabeth, CO by some past business friends. Since it would be a short hunt, I decided to give my 12 year old lab Cody a day in the field without his house buddy, 2 year old Logan. I had previously had Cody out only 2 of the 16 days that Logan and I hunted as he has really slowed down this past year. He's got arthritus in his rear knees but still gets around pretty good. There were four of us along with Cody and 2 young Brittanies. The Britts were doing most of the bird work but Cody was making more than his share of retrieves. On the pass back toward the trucks Cody was running for a retrieve when his rear legs gave out but he hauled himself the last 20 feet to the dead bird while dragging his hind legs. What a trooper. After he rested a few minutes I helped him up and he was able to walk to the truck OK. He got to rest while we made another out & back pass through the field to finish out the day.

Cody is fine today but now officially retired as a hunter but I've got 12 years of great memories in the field with him, plus our past backpacking and cross country ski trips. He's been a great partner.
PairOfLabs
 
PairOfLabs said:
I'll remember Friday forever. I was invited out for some complimentary sporting clays and an afternoon pen-raised hunt at Quail Run Sports in Elizabeth, CO by some past business friends. Since it would be a short hunt, I decided to give my 12 year old lab Cody a day in the field without his house buddy, 2 year old Logan. I had previously had Cody out only 2 of the 16 days that Logan and I hunted as he has really slowed down this past year. He's got arthritus in his rear knees but still gets around pretty good. There were four of us along with Cody and 2 young Brittanies. The Britts were doing most of the bird work but Cody was making more than his share of retrieves. On the pass back toward the trucks Cody was running for a retrieve when his rear legs gave out but he hauled himself the last 20 feet to the dead bird while dragging his hind legs. What a trooper. After he rested a few minutes I helped him up and he was able to walk to the truck OK. He got to rest while we made another out & back pass through the field to finish out the day.


Cody is fine today but now officially retired as a hunter but I've got 12 years of great memories in the field with him, plus our past backpacking and cross country ski trips. He's been a great partner.
PairOfLabs
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:thumbsup::10sign::cheers: He will still want to go! Love working dogs:cheers:
 
Treasure those memories. I will forever remember the last hunt with my male Brittany I put down a couple years ago. It was getting tough for him to get around and he was pretty much deaf but I took him one last time. The last pass in the last field he made a great retrieve of a rooster that went down in some slough grass. I'll always cherish in my mind the picture of him bring that last rooster to me. Too damn bad I didn't have my camera. :(
 
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Tony, will be 12 on Sept.1. He has the same problems as Cody. I feel your pain as I know my beloved Tony will soon become my wife's house pet. I do not look forward to that time at all.......Bob
 
We've been giving Cody daily glucosamine for several years now, and the occasional buffered or enteric coated aspirin--but no rimadyl (bad side effects with earlier lab). I forgot to bring a camera yesterday and my cell phone was in the truck-rats. Here are a couple of pictures of Cody that hen,hen,Rooster took for me while we were hunting last season.
 
This one always brigs a tear to my eye...
A poem by Dana Duke

Just an old broken down dog
is what I've come to be.
My senses are all growing dim,
My eyes can barely see.

But master, you're still in your prime,
while I am fading fast,
Please take me with you one more time
Before I breathe mt last.

You used to take me with you
To the woods when I was young,
To do your bidding faithfully
In my youth when I was strong.

My best's no longer good enough,
I'm useless and confused:
For surely you must care for me
as much as I for you.

I'll be waiting by the back door,
Take me with you when you go.
It's all I've ever wanted
and the only thing I know.

I'll struggle up and wag my tail,
Eager your will to do;
And gladly endure a painful walk
Just to be with with you.

Take me with you when you go.
One more time I long to be
with my master and my friend.
Take me with you once again.
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My condolences pol...:(
 
Fine looking Lab! We all reach that point eventually. Thankfully, Cody recovered & can still get around. You did a tough but right thing.
 
That's a great poem G-dude, and I'm having trouble seeing to type through the tears in my eyes.
PairOfLabs
 
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