Has passed....like Ingwedog I please no rainbow bridges etc...just tip a glass tonight to a truly remarkable dog....

The day she came home ....




As you guys know, I'm a trainer and Etta was to become my "Demo" dog....and I taught her literally everything I know how to teach a dog. At the risk of boring you, I'll give a short resume for her.....She was Certified as a Mobility Assistance Service Dog Level I, Service Dog Level II ( there is no level 3..) Certified in Seizure Alert and Response, Certified in Narcotics Detection,Suspect Apprehension....She had a repertoire of 130 commands,30 hand signals, and a vocabulary of almost 300 words. She was, in a word, Prodigal.

Her passion was fishing with me, and a better companion could not be imagined....






Like Ingwedog I she had a full life, and you could count yourself lucky if you got to see and do as much as she did in her short 15 years...

Sorry to hear of this.

I sure dread that day coming to my household.

Sorry to read this. They just don't live long enough. My last one was my last one.
Can no longer face the departure.

A few more pics from Etta's life....


Biting a Researcher from A major University...




Searching for dope...




Camping with her best buddy, Ingwedog I





We had shining times...

Sorry for your loss, Tom. I will happily honor your request of a honorary sip.

My condolences it's hard when you lose a long time companion.I will tip a glass of makers mark to Ingwedog II.

A sad day for sure.

Good dogs are truly what makes our lives great.
I will have a glass in honor of the great dogs, that we all miss.

condolences. on your loss,

norm

My condolences, also. It's hard when you lose a long time companion.

GOOD DOG!!!SALUD!!!

Sorry to hear that. I will indeed lift a libation in honor of Etta.

Sorry to hear this Ingwe. I will definitely tip a toast to her this evening. She was obviously a very special friend indeed.

twofish

It's obvious in the bottom photo she understood every word you spoke. What a great dog!

Will do Tom.

My condolences, I know she will be missed. Beautiful dog.

Ed, we will raise a toast to absent friends in March as well.

That we will.

So very sorry to hear of your loss, Tom. I'll bend an elbow for her later this evening.

Sorry to hear about this Tom. My condolences and I'll be tipping a glass in honor and memory of your friend this evening.

Sorry for your loss. We lost our Haley three days ago.

Sorry to hear this. Lost my Scout on December 3rd. Sure isn't easy.

Sorry to hear this news Ingwe and MM.

Sorry guys for all the dogs lost recently. Our last one went around two and a half years ago and we still miss him.

Very sad time for you both, sorry for your loss.

Tough to hear, 'gwe.
Hurtin' with you.
I'll raise one.
Slave

Sorry to hear about your friend Tom.

Bottoms up to Etta!

ingwe;
I'm sorry to read of this Tom, truly I am.

Indeed it looks like you two had a remarkable and full time together and indeed I will tip a glass for you both tonight.

May the remainder of your 2016 be better.

Dwayne

RIP, Etta and Haley.

Good Dog Etta.

Condolences.

So sorry.....RIP Etta....

Sorry to hear Ingwe...hurts as bad as losing family, but then again, they are family.

Tom,
I'm sorry to hear about Etta,she was a great one.



I will definitely raise a glass to her.

A different kind of sad that really hurts..

geo

Truly sorry for your loss. I will tip a glass for Etta tonight.

Sorry to hear that Tom. I have lost several throughout the years. I am still careful getting out of bed for fear of stepping on my last pup Brandy, she was always by my side. Its been a couple years.

I will surely lift a glass for her & you tonight & also for Montana Marine's loss as well.

Good dogs become almost like children............my oldest Shepherd is nearing 12 & I dread the day.

RIP Etta

MM

Losing a good one is tough.

Will raise one for Etta.

I'll raise my glass to her and you her master......

Glad she was able to spend her life with a good man who gave her a purpose.

So sorry Tom,it's the sad reality that the heartbreak at the end is payment for the years of joy our four legged friends afford us. I'm sure you will agree it is worth it but difficult to swollen right now.Condolences my friend

Condolences, it's always hard to lose a good dog, and she sounds truly exceptional.

I'll give Georgie Lab an extra milk bone and a hug in her memory.

Damn Tom, I am so sorry to hear this. May she romp the fields and streams of her dreams.

Thanks for posting that pic,besides Mule Deer I think you're the only fire member that got to fish with her....

It's always tough. In pondering the relatively short lives of dogs I realized that the dogs I've had were really quite different. Each was distinctly unique. Each brought something special to my life. In May Miss Lilli the ratter will have reached her expected lifetime and she is beginning to show signs of a geriatric dog. Already I'm wondering what dog will find me (I haven't looked for a specific dog so much as they have found me when the time was right) and what wonderful revelations he will show me.

Count blessings for the visitation given without condition. Stuff like this makes my eyes a bit damp, might tip the glass more than once.

You know Etta will await on the other side, right?

Dan

I just now read this and the first thing I did was get a Captain Morgan 100 and coke, I KNOW how much dogs mean to us. Remind me again in March so I can join in. This is the ONE thing that makes the internet great. If you take the time you still weed out the dubs from the GREAT ones and you are one of them.

I'm not a big believer on the other side....but I'm hedging my bets by having her ashes scattered with mine

Why is it we keep bumping in to one another????

Dam always enjoyed the pics, of you guys fishing ect. Ill hoist one also!

Sorry Tom, Etta will be well remembered here....

A hoist of the glass! Remember the good times!

Tom & MM,

Condolences to each of you, and to others who may have recently lost furry best friends.

A toast ra side here tonight.

To our friends who lost their friends, my heart aches. We have been nursing along our little dog, Pixie the Wonderbeagle for months now. She's been near death twice, and has soundly send the Grim Reaper packing both times. She is on the couch guarding my dozing daughter as we speak. Actually she's snoring like a chainsaw and farting like a gas bag, but we love her just the same.

Here's to the hope that there's an Ingwedog 3 and you make her as happy as Ingwedog 2 appeared to be in those great photos.

My best to you and Ingwe-wife, Chui. Toast complete.. jorge

Tom,

Sorry to hear that. It was good to recently see her, one last time.

I hate to hear about the passing of a great dog. God bless her, rainbow bridge or not.

Honestly, I think it is because we can both recognize quality folks. I've had the pleasure of meeting Tom. We've chatted, done a little shooting and enjoyed a little bourbon. I didn't have the pleasure of meeting his pup, but I am a believer in the other side. Here's hoping that they are able to enjoy one another's company in the next life.

God bless,
CT

Sorry to hear this, Tom.

We all know you hold your dogs near and dear to your heart.

Tough day for sure.

It'll be a Maker's Mark salute from me.

Hang in there.

Very well said.

Sorry to hear.

You have my deepest condolences.

Very sorry for you loss. Glass raised.

I saw this and thought it was appropriate for anyone who has lost a pup.

Man, sorry to hear that. I hate losing dogs. I have a 8yo setter that has had some auto immune system issues. Big time cash every month for drugs. But will continue to pay the price to keep her around. I have cryed when we have lost everyone. Wife tells me NO MORE DOGS after this one is gone. How the hell is that supposed to work? I've had dogs most all my life.

sorry for your loss.

dogs are truly one of the finest gifts in life. looks like you have been blessed often.

keith

Sorry for your loss
It is never easy to lose a friend

Ingwe,

Thanks for sharing pics of her and part of your life together with all of us here.

I no longer imbibe, so I will see to it that Breeze and Katie get an extra "cookie" in her memory after dinner tonight.

Geno

PS, I better check the woodstove for smoke leaks, my eyes are watering. I wonder why the smoke alarm isn't working?

Nearly every pic I have of you with a fish, Etta's nose can be seen in. She was always ready to show a trout who was boss.

I'm sorry to hear that, Tom. You seem to collect one-in-a-lifetime dogs. Or is it that they collect you?

I figured out a long time ago that an animals "personality" and ability have more to do with the owner than the critter's native intelligence.
Some folks have wrecks for pets and working critters, other folks have real gems.

Ed

Thank all you gentlemen so much for the kind words...this has been one of my toughest days...

Another pic I dredged up, Etta's first ever fishing trip, along with Ingwedog I and an old pard of mine...

Slainte' fine doggie !

.....a tough day indeed.

Greg

Condolences, Tom

The only way to avoid the pain of losing one is to never let them into your heart. That just don't fly.

Atta girl, Etta! Ya had the big fella whooped!

Condolences Ingwe.

Raised a glass tonight for her, and another good friend who lost their Great Dane today. Condolences. I'm coming up on that time soon too, both of mine are getting on and have health problems. It never ends well.

I'm very sorry for your loss. A fine dog and fishing partner for certain.

Damn sorry to hear this Tom. I have a real soft spot for those Herding dogs. One of these days Im going to get me one. One thing for sure you loved those dogs as much as they loved you.

Sucks. I will lift a glass tonight to Etta.

Tom and Shane, I am sipping an absinthe in the honor of the hang out buddies lost.

sorry for your loss tom

Raising a glass for Etta!

Wifey and I are sorry , Tom.

Sorry for your loss Tom.

Condolences - the dogs of our lives are indeed special.
Good to hear she had a good life / partner.

Sorry for you loss.
Spot

My deepest condolences. I'm sure Etta held a special place in your families hearts. Dogs are definately special animals, I'll always have a dog to come home to.

Ingwe - I'm an out - of - the - can beer drinker, however, I will break out a glass for a proper toast to your companion.
My condolences are sent.
Are Ingwedogs border crossed with blue healer?

I am so very sorry for your loss Ingwe. I am raising a small 4am brandy toast to Etta, may her spirit soar forever more.

Lynn

Sorry for the loss Ingwe. I am a firm believer that the best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a dog! They love you unconditionally and all they ask for is a meal and a scratch behind the ears.

You got it, Tom.

A toast to Etta from the central valley.

I'm sorry to hear this Tom. As a family who loves dogs we can sympathize with you.

I'm having one for Ingwee dog II as we type.

Just damn... A glass of the Irish was raised in her honor...

Really sorry to hear it, Tom. I'll hoist a beer in her honor.


maddog

So sorry to hear that. It's like losing a family member. And sometimes worse.

I am sorry to hear about your losses Tom and Shane. Dogs steal our hearts with their affection and loyalty. They give love 100%. I am sitting at the table with my little ankle biter in my lap. She too is getting old. Too soon I will be feeling the pain and loss but I will also look back at all the joy and happiness she brought me during her short visit. Sorry guys.

Jim

Etta - wow on the training and shining times is appropriate for 15 years of memories. A glass has been raised. All the best.

Deepest condolences to you and your wife, Tom. Good dogs are worth inconceivably more than their weight in gold. You were blessed, indeed.

RIP, Etta.

Not a hard liquor guy but I will definitely raise an Aventinus in her honor tonight..

Ingwedog I was a cross between Australian Shepherd and Border Collie, she was wicked smart and was like a hairy little extension of me, personality wise.

Ingwedog II, was pure bred Border Collie....granted, an odd looking one, and a big one, over the breed standard, in her prime she weighed 58 pounds. Likewise wicked scary smart,but she awaited instruction before using her smarts,the first dog took it upon herself.....


Even with Rommel here, the house sure seems empty.

Thoughts are with you. We lost our two best friends a few years ago. Their going left a very big hole in our hearts! memtb

RIP Etta,


Will rip a glass for you!

This evening a bit of single malt will be raised in her honor.

Ahhhh hell, Tom, I'm sorry to hear that.

sorry to hear that. Will raise a glass for her.

BMT

Sorry to hear this Tom. Our old lab is going to be 12 years old in a couple of months and do not look forward to going through his departure.

Toasting her with some Buffalo Trace. Sorry for your loss.

Just saw this Tom - very sorry to hear this news. Etta will be on my mind with a glass of Buffalo Trace a bit later this evening.

Gentlemen thank you all again for your thoughts.....it has been a loooong weekend.


I've had to put down four dogs in my life, and for reasons I'm not able to define, this one was the toughest....

Thank you all again.

probibly cus your getting older and wiser and not doing all the training you used to do, she,s the one you loved the most put the most effort into and received the GREATest reward for your efforts .

RIP Etta.

norm

PS I've had to put down 6 horses none were easy.

Tom,
I just found this. The last time I saw Etta I knew this was coming soon and knew it would be tough for you. Etta was your "little girl", more dependent on you than the others, in a good way. And somehow it hurts more to lose one like her. Don't ask me how I know........

My best wishes to you,

Chuck

Lord, I LOVE borders- the most intelligent breed that exists, IMO.
However, I hate being out-smarted by a dog

RIP Etta.