goldenboy
Well-known member
Well, I lost the best hunting partner I have ever owned today. My golden retriever Ruby was 12 years old. She lived a great life, had literally thousands of birds shot over her, and was always full of life. In the end old age took her down. She stopped eating about a month ago and lost all her strength. In her prime I would have stacked her up against any bird dog. They say talking about it is good for the grieving process so here are two of the greatest memories I have of her.
One day in Saskatchewan we shot 120 snow geese, 15 honkers and a hand full of ducks. She shared the load of retrieving with one other dog that day and by the time we were done she was covered in blood and loving life. Ever time we shot she went after another goose or two. By the end of the morning I had piles of geese laying around me and one happy, tired dog!
My other memory I can share is of the year we guided at a game farm for pheasants and ducks. we shot 1048 birds that year over my two goldens and they got a lifetime of experience in one fall. One particular retrieve I will never forget was at the duck pond. We were shooting big fat mallards and Ruby was force-fetched so she never let a bird go. Well the excitement of ducks falling and ducks in her mouth was overwhelming that day. She was coming back with a drake in her mouth and another drake was shot and glided into the woods. Off she went for that second bird with the one still in her mouth. Well as you can guess, out comes this 45 pound golden with two big fat drake mallards in her mouth, both delivered to hand. Never had a prouder moment.
I will miss you Ruby, you are an irreplaceable hunting companion. Rest in peace girl!
One day in Saskatchewan we shot 120 snow geese, 15 honkers and a hand full of ducks. She shared the load of retrieving with one other dog that day and by the time we were done she was covered in blood and loving life. Ever time we shot she went after another goose or two. By the end of the morning I had piles of geese laying around me and one happy, tired dog!
My other memory I can share is of the year we guided at a game farm for pheasants and ducks. we shot 1048 birds that year over my two goldens and they got a lifetime of experience in one fall. One particular retrieve I will never forget was at the duck pond. We were shooting big fat mallards and Ruby was force-fetched so she never let a bird go. Well the excitement of ducks falling and ducks in her mouth was overwhelming that day. She was coming back with a drake in her mouth and another drake was shot and glided into the woods. Off she went for that second bird with the one still in her mouth. Well as you can guess, out comes this 45 pound golden with two big fat drake mallards in her mouth, both delivered to hand. Never had a prouder moment.
I will miss you Ruby, you are an irreplaceable hunting companion. Rest in peace girl!
