Old school & the new Generation

[Goldeneye]

Last week I went on a hunt with my pup Bella.  One issue when I got home is I could tell that my 13 year lab Echo was PO'd when I showed up with the birds she didn't retrieve last week.  I had left her home because she has gotten deaf and has a bad elbow.  A little old for a demanding hunt.  Well, this afternoon I had to run to town for some supplies and the release site is on the way.  So on the way home from Lowes I stopped in gave my old dog a "walk" today with the pup.  I had given her some pain med's in the morning since I was thinking about letting her stretch her legs at the release site.  Anyways, we had a short 2 hour hunt.  The girls actually worked this bird in the brush for about a 100 yards until it was forced to fly.  Then I shot it.  The old girl is now sleeping in her bed with the rooster.  She and the pup worked hard.  We'll get it cleaned a little later.  I want her to savor the moment.  These will be getting fewer and fewer as old age takes it's toll.

[Dhoey07]

Awesome 

[Timberstalker]

Enjoy every hunt with her.  I remember growing up and having to leaving the old dog in the kennel.  Tough deal.

[vandeman17]

Glad you got them out! Looks like fun

[D-Rock425]

Looks like she's a tiered girl.

[MP123]

That awesome, sounds like a great hunt.  Maybe the old dog can teach the new one some birdy tricks!

[coachcw]

gotta love that moment 

[akirkland]

Love these kind of stories!

[Wingin it]

Good stuff right there!  My dog is starting to get up there in age as well but has a few good years left in her before she needs to take up the rockin chair so to speak. I am not looking forward to the day I have to leave her home while I go hunting.

[lefty280]

I remember hunting when my black lab was getting up in years. he would get so excited and carry on running around like a pup when I got out of the truck and got my gear togther. By the time we actually were starting to hunt he was worn out from the preliminary excitement. Oh well he still lived to hunt.

[Roper]

Imagine how the world would be if we all acted more like dogs...giving our all for others.

[turkeyfeather]

That's awesome. I hope to have a good hunting dog someday. 

[h20hunter]

Right on....something to be said about not being left out to pasture.

[singleshot12]

Great pic!  and special times for sure. She looks content, they will go the extra mile just to prove to you and the younger one that she can still hunt. 13 years is old for a lab, you're lucky to even still have her.

[Goldeneye]

Great pic!  and special times for sure. She looks content, they will go the extra mile just to prove to you and the younger one that she can still hunt. 13 years is old for a lab, you're lucky to even still have her.

I know she's old for a working dog.  My last lab passed short of 10 years old.  Now that she's a senior with some issues, I do try and pick the times she gets to go.  Never in areas that will cause her to over exert herself.  I suppose if it came down to it, I'd pull her out into a field on a sled if I had too.  Just so she could be on one last duck hunt near the end.  She dearly loves it.  The fire is still in her eye when it comes to hunting.  She was one happy dog when this hunt was over.