Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Lost a great dog today.

Amen.

I still choke up remembering my Pal who disappeared when I was 5 years old as the Drs thought he might be killing me with asthma and unbeknownst to me they had told my parents they had to give him away.

I remember sitting in the kitchen of the old ranch house unable to breath with the walls closing in squishing me when my Pal disappeared.

I would sneak away and walk to the neighbors down the dirt road each direction asking if they had seen my Pal. Goddayom.

All the time it was my POS dad who smoked cigarettes.

But, only by the Grace of God and those Drs and my RN Mother am I still here.

I've lost maybe 10.

It doesn't get easier.

Their short lives more than make up for the loss, tho it doesn't seem like it at the time.

At our ages, we are on our last two, spoiled, not hunting them as I should (Dachshunds think they are grouse tree-barkers, caribou tracking dogs, the half-Lab doesn't swim... ). It wouldn't be fair for our dogs to out-live us, or our physical abilities. If we all live our allotted spans, we will be in our 80's when they pass.

I try to keep "last two" in mind when I am "busy" and shorting them.

Never have owned a golden......several labs though

Stopped at a local dog specialty place to look for a harness for my lab....and a couple of large breed dogs were penned together out in the open, maybe having been groomed and waiting to be picked up. One was a mature golden and beyond sweet as could be to me as a total stranger.

That dog acted like it wanted to go home with me.

Remmys pic reminded me of that exchange.

Goldens and Labs are both wonderful breeds with few exceptions. I had a Yellow Lab that I got when I worked out in Oregon that was a great dog. Goldens have been our breed for thirty years now and all but one (that we rescued from a young guy's family who was killed in a car crash) have been great. We are still working on that "one"

I remember each dog I ever owned and all their peculiarities. I miss them all, and like Otter says, I will see them at the bridge.

Jag, that you still remember Pal all these years later speaks to the powerful place our dogs hold in our hearts.

Just look at all the posts about our dogs and how it affects each of us when we hear someone lost their friend. It is incredible how much they mean to us. If I didn't ever have a dog and I read all these posts, I would think I better go get a dog.

Well Grizz was put down today,he was 15 years old.

He was blind and deaf,when he went totally blind Saturday around 1:30 or so he quit eating and taking water.

He also just layed around and slept.

No bowl movements for 6 days and only pissed once.

He is not suffering any more,only if i get like that,my kids or wife will do the same for me.

We had to put our Shorthair down last week. First time in 35 years I haven't had one. My 15 year old daughter found a beagle needing a home. Bailey Beagle came to live with us Wednesday. My daughter is so happy.

I dont remember who to attribute this to, but it carries a lot of meaning to me and hopefully to others in their time of loss:

Every time I lose a dog, I lose a piece of my heart. Every time I get a new pup, I gain a piece of his heart. If I live long enough, maybe my heart will become all dog, and I will be that much better for it.

We lost our male Golden Remi (Farmfresh Remington Parker) two years ago to sudden lung cancer at age 11. I was crushed for two weeks, and still tear up thinking about it. Carry him in your thoughts always. Our sincere sorrow for your loss.

I can't read the post... I get misty every time i think about the loss of an animal. I remember EVERY ONE of the dogs I have had in my life and pray that i can see them all one day down the road.

I am all dog by now...

I am so heartfelt sorry for all who lose their good friends. It sucks big time. So sorry guys.