Lost a hunting partner and family member today

[Birdguy]

Well, we knew it was going to happen and today it did. We laid our 14 year old lab to rest . She had gone down hill real fast the last few weeks and we knew it was close. Last night as I came home from work I stopped on the porch and gave her those extra few minutes. She really looked old, most of her face, front legs and feet were white, not the real dark chocolate brown the rest of her was. During those extra moments I told her it was OK and she could rest when she was ready. She has served us so well but the other dogs would pick up her slack and that she was going to be better off . She has been with the Wife and I since shortly after we got married. Our first animal purchase, destine to be a pet until I discovered hunting that fall . I shot my first pheasant over her, I took many people on their first hunt with her and it all came back tonight. What great times a person has with their partners. We had a brief graveside moment with the Kids and the other dogs, pretty special time for all. It is so weird to watch the other dogs, the other two old ones (14 and 10) were real mellow, ears drooping heads low. The two younger ones (one we have had 10 months and the other 6 months) were well behaved, and seemed quite respectful. I placed a large rock over her grave and the kids are going to paint her a headstone, that will allow us all to remember the good times and things we did with her.

[yelp]

Sorry for your loss..the hardest thing to go through..my first last year 14 year old chocolate lab..Harder than hell.  I surrounded myself by puppies and now I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old..Sorry for your loss.

[Caseyd]

Sorry to hear about your lose. It's never easy having a loved one pass

[halflife65]

That's pretty tough - sorry to hear about that.  I'm glad she had a nice long life and you can remember the good times.

[carpsniperg2]

i raise akc labs i know how close i am to my old girl at 11 i have grown up with her sorry for your loss

[Elliott]

never had to put a dog down for old age, one was shot by a$$hole neighbor and the other was misbehaved so my dad took it to the shelter, im gonna cry like a baby when i gotta put Rane down, hes only 2

[bigdave]

Sorry for your loss. It is really hard. I lost my canine friend last winter and last week I saw a choc lab in the back of some guys truck that looked just like her. Brought it all back.

[jeepasaurusrex]

We have had Red since he was a pup. We got him just after our youngest daughter was born. The kids have grown up with him. I really dread the day when he passes on. He goes everywhere with us. We even have an orange vest he wears when he goes hunting with us. He hangs out at camp, usually snuggled up next to the fire until he gets too hot an has to move or get singed... 

I am sorry for your loss. Some people say they are just pets, but they really are a member of the family.

[WhiskyRiver]

Some people say they are just pets, but they really are a member of the family.

So sorry for your loss...was nice that you were able to spend some quality time with her before she went. I'm sure it meant as much to her as it did to you.

[Ridgerunner]

That sucks, sorry to hear that, my girl is almost 9 so I am now realizing that we don't have that many years left, I'm going to try and get out with her as much as I can, she is still going strong thankfully. Many tears will be shed on the day she passes. 

[boneaddict]

DANG, always hard to swallow.  Sorry she passed on you.  I hope you and the family can find a new friend to fill the gap.

[buckhorn2]

There are lots of dogs out there but some are so special they are family sorry about your loss.

[fishermanjoe]

I feel your pain man, I lost my short hair to cancer. That was one of the hardest things to go though.

[Wayne1]

Damn Dave...   So sorry to hear the new's. But you know she's at peace now...   and you'll always have the loving memories. My prayers are with you and the family.      Wayne

[Birdguy]

Thanks to all who replied. We are doing much better today. Even the other dogs are a little more upbeat today. This board is sure a great place to meet folks who share the same activities and experiences. If you have a dog you will go through this at some point, having a group like this is a great asset. Thanks again.

Wayne, I will be heading to Jims again this weekend. We are going to do a little grouse hunting, perhaps some quail on the way over and back.