For those of you who followed my postings of my life with Trap, and our Hunt Tests, and hunting trips, it is with tear filled eyes, I must tell you all, he passed 5 weeks ago.
We didn't have an autopsy performed, but he went down hill in just 2 weeks, and no amount of money I spent could save him.
8 vets, and us, feel it was some kind of cancer.
He was battling a bacterial infection, and even iv antibiotics didn't touch. He had a tumor on a kidney, and a spot on his liver. His face swelling had every one scratching their heads. Both sides on his jaw swelled like soft balls, but held no fluids that the vets could drain. After over 4 days of refusing to eat, and getting worse, I held him the morning of August 20, and he left me peacefully.
I cry every day still, and miss my boy terribly.
He is no longer in pain, and I have his ashes.
I had an oil painting done of him last summer that will be with me til my day comes.
He was a hellava dog.

My condolences, sorry for your loss. They're with us for far too short a time.

Good Dog Trap....

Sorry man, you were there for him.
my hunting buddy died in my arms just Over a year ago from a snake bite and I still get misty thinking about her it completely threw my game off last winter. I’m going to double my effort to get out and be successful this year doing what we both love so much. Nothing can ease your sorrow but I’m sure Trap was lucky and thankful for the life you gave him

Almost nothing harder than losing a good dog.

Sorry

Mark...I'm so sorry....BTDT too many times

Im sure you remember me posting for years about Ingwedog.

When I put her down I had her cremated as well.

Instructions in my will to scatter her ashes with mine in our favorite piece of country....

nuff said....

No words I could write here could relieve your loss of "Trap". A beautiful yellow lab he is.....a handsome fella.

Good boy Trap... good Boy....

That old boy, won the lottery when you picked him to be your dog... I bet he is on the other side.... waiting for you....

My sincere condolences....

I am so sorry to hear of this.. You have my deepest sympathy.. We never get over them, we just adjust!! Enjoy your fine memories.. He was a beautiful dog and awesome friend....

So sorry...

Good boy, Trap.

You are lucky to have hand such a great dog. The pain is terrible, I know. You have my deepest sympathy.

The day we all regret. They never stay long enough. Very sorry to read this.

Good boy Trap

Terrible. Sorry to hear he had to suffer

Enjoyed your postings

Sorry for your loss.I remember when you got him and the posts showing your work with him and his progress. He was lucky to be your dog.

It's one of the worst times. Don't know how it will work for you but I've found getting another one helps. I don't miss or mourn the one's I lost any less and never will but the responsibility of raising another one right somehow helps.

I can't bring myself to get another lab right now or any time soon.
Life is changing, retirement and old age looming ....
I have 2 years, and 10 months til my working is over, and my wife and I start traveling before we can't for any unforseen reasons.
Will I hunt waterfowl like I have ??
Doubtful.. .
Since Traps passing i have no desire to go...
Early goose started last Saturday.
This season is the 1st in about 15 years I haven't gone.
I have a Coues deer hunt the week going into Thanksgiving. I haven't even picked a rifle up to go start practicing. Depression is a terrible thing.
It's not a total life depression, just killing......
I spent quite a sum of money trying to save him, so I'm tapped for some time.
Wanted to follow through on buying some Cabelas clothes from a fellow member, but can't.
Life is good tho. No troubles, or anything, just miss him terribly.
We do have a 10 month old toy poodle. He's pretty cool, but definitely not a companion, working dog.
Here's our retirement rig, and newest family member "Chappie", named after our Chaparral boat.
He does like the side by side !

Also, my condolences. I was just writing a friend who lost his 14yo black lab in April (from cancer) who isn't sure he feels like duck hunting this coming season without his four legged partner. As painful as it is to get back on that horse, I think it's worse to go without the companionship of a canine hunting partner than the pain of losing them is (when you are ready). Grieving is important. Our canine friends give us so much in return that I can't see going without that. Best Wishes, Mark

Mark, I know what you mean...when my one and only bird dog died...I sold off my shotguns and havent returned to bird hunting since.

I hunted big game for years with Ingwedog at my side, and since she's gone...its lost a lot of its charm as well...I still do it but...

And stream fishing will never be close to the same without her....

Although I tell everyone in your situation " go get a puppy!" I havent been able to do it myself since putting my last dog down....

I still have my boy Rommel..but he's just an at-home companion...

I’m retired and old age is already upon me. The beagle will be 10 years old this coming March and I’m on the list for a Mountain Cur pup (possibly by mid-December.) Really hope Zofia the beagle has at least another 10 good years, but now is as good a time as any for a new pup. Going to name the pup Loretta.

I have found the best way to soften the blow of losing a dog is have another puppy before you have to deal with the loss. My argument with the warden (wife) was it is in addition to not a replacement.

My condolences on your loss.

sorry for your loss,my golden lab " Jake" was my buddy and hunting partner for 11 years also ended up with cancer and died many years ago. yes i had a couple more labs and one of them was real good dog .but none were ever like Jake my lab and i believe a man only ever gets one or two great dogs for hunting and a companion in his life time.i hope you get another i have not yet. Pete53

I have a wonderful wife of almost 25 years now.
She asked me the other day, when will we be heading to Albeguegue, to the airport, to pick up a dog.....
If and when I might happen, I will miss the puppy stage, and get another started dog from the same breeder as Trap.
She knows what she sent me, and knows what to look for again, and get it started on its path in life, with me.
I would want another soft dog. I couldn't handle a fire breathing field trial dog. It has to have an on and off switch. And, it has to be a white, or very light colored yellow, that will max out at around 100 pounds. American field line, no British lines.

I've loved your friend right along with you, my friend, I send sincere condolences.

Sorry to hear it Splatt.

I remember well when you got him.

Contacted Traps breeder about a started, yellow male.
We'll see what happens ????

Good on you! A new dog will help, for sure.

Everyone deserves a dog of a lifetime. Sounds like you had yours. Sorry for your loss. They unfortunately don’t live long enough. Hasbeen

Someone said the only cost of owning a dog is when he goes. It is so true. Be Well, RZ.

Alright, if you treat it as well as you treated Trap you'll be glad you did this.

Has none.
She does have a half brother to Trap, (same dad), she uses for stud.
Jake is his name (mh), but no breeding planned yet.
I'll wait......

Have buried many dogs and will not bury another, at my age 80 we agreed on a pup that would hopefully outlive us. Our last dog was a Doberman and he came as close to being perfect as any dog we shared a life with. Had him cremated and he is in the room with me as I type this. His ashes will be co-mingled with mine and my wife and scattered on the mountain that we all loved.

"He lived in my eyes, died in my lap, and is buried in my heart.",

Trap is here next to me on the table.
He will be mixed with my ashes, and scattered at our favorite places.
Today is 7 weeks now.
Its NOT getting any easier.....

Good move Splatt. As you know...I'm planning the same.

I don't harbor any beliefs in the afterlife, but the fact that we will eventually be on the stream together again gives me comfort now...

You buy a Pup you buy a heartache, knowing going in you can't walk back death....keep them all close and move on with the next....and the next have yet to fail....

I can't imagine wanting any to spend excessive grief with my going.... People or Dogs....remember the best and move on....

One can bang their heart on the wailing wall all day and come night nothing has changed. Moving on is the only cure....

I’m sorry for the suffering and know what it’s like. We went through it — again — in June. Dogs are “soulful” creatures that get into your heart, and then at some point break it.

But they are a gift in loyalty from God. And poorer is the soul who doesn’t experience them.

I'm with you Tom...
Lee has a half brother of Trap still.
Same dad.
He has alot of the same traits as Trap, given by the dad, Buddha.
I am going to ask Lee to pic me a male from a future breeding, and keep him for a time to get him started.
Not cheap, but he may out live me !!
Here's Jake..

So sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I fear the day my GSP Jaegar leaves us. In the last 10 years we have covered countless miles in pursuit of grouse and woodcock and have shared many things. He is super close to my daughter and sleeps every night at the end of her bed.