Burried a best friend today.

[MichaelD]

Our friend "Coug" passed away Saturday morning.  Wasn't completely unexpected, but he hadn't shown anything more than old age crepping up on him over the past year. 

What a great dog, a 12 year old black lab.  He was my wife and my first baby, getting him 2 years before our first child.  He watched us bring home 4 children over the years and accepted them all as he fell further out of the spotlight with each child. 

We burried him tonight under a big willow tree, a storm had just passed overhead and we said the Lord's prayer as a double rainbow emerged in the background.  it was his 12th birthday today.  All 6 of us gathered around the grave and shed a tear as we said goodbye.

We knew this day would come, but it's still harder than I expected.  It was supposed to be me taking him into the vet for a humane and peacefull end and scratch him behind the ears as he took his last breath instead of a lonely departure in the kennel while we were gone.....

My biggest regret was not taking him with me everywhere I went (hunting trips, getting wood, etc) because sometimes it was easier to leave him at home with the wife and kids to keep watch over the place while I was gone...

Thanks for listening...not looking for pitty or sympathy....just needed a place to let it go since it is still too hard to talk about with my wife without one of us tearing up.

Goodbye my friend, you wil lbe missed.

Michael

[bonecrusher]

man...got my eyes watering. its hard saying good bye to them, they have such a profound effect on our lives. true friends. sorry for your loss

[carpsniperg2]

very sad, sorry for you loss

[littlemac]

Too many of these lately, sorry to hear of your loss.

[bowhunterforever]

Too many of these lately, sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[6 Point]

I  did the same thing last Monday evening and boy has this been a bad week for me and the wife.  13yrs and we did not have kids so our labs were our kids!!   I am so sorry for your loss, but it is a comfort knowing they are not suffering anymore

[boneaddict]

We're here for you as most of us understand.  Might make some of us go scratch them an extra time just because....

[GoldTip]

Very sorry to hear of the loss of you best friend.  A dog is a tough thing to lose, but we are all here to send a prayer.  Good luck.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well Michael I am sure that he wouldn't have traded his life with your family for anything. He probably loved watching your children grow. Atleast he passed away in a place he knew as his home as opposed to the vets office. You can rest easy knowing he is in a better place waiting till you meet again.

[CoryTDF]

I just had to do that on the 5th. with my old dog Jake. All we can do is be thankful that they were in our lives and enjoy to memories.

[jackelope]

sorry for your loss, Michael...

you might add a little tribute to him here...

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,49606.0.html

[Elkstuffer]

My thoughts are with you and your family Michael. This Thursday will be 2 years that I had to put my Henry down. I now can say that it does get easier but it takes time. Cherish the memories and they will help you to get through this difficult time.

[seth30]

 Sorry for your losses, its such a hard thing to lose. 

[ribka]

Sorry for the loss. Sounds like a great dog. I am sure your kids really appreciated growing up with him and will have a lot of wonderful memories like you.

[mad-bomber]

sorry to hear about your loss thats tough.