Bummed out

[Riplip]

Just venting to guys who will understand...

My very good friend and tourney partner was just informed he needs to put down his hunting dog, a trusted companion and friend for eight years. He lost his other dog to old age last year. His three children will probably miss "Isis" more than even he will. The dog began a sudden weight loss, and workup discovered advanced cancer.

Those of you who have animals know not everyone realizes the extent of loss a person can feel for a dog. Hope this post isn't too much of a downer...but not many here where I work can relate...

[sTony]

I've been in that position before and it's very much like losing a family member. And the longer that relationship was the harder it seems to be. I can relate and I wish you friend all the best.

sTony

[Gator]

Sorry to hear that Rip - my cousin had to put her's down in between my trips to see her - it's amazing how much you take an animal for granted until they are gone. When I was visiting the last time I kept feeling something was missing.

My thoughts go out ot your friend. Hopefully he can find a good substitute (notice I didnt say replacement, nothing can replace a good dog)

[MIKE TREMONT]

Sorry to hear that. Last August I had the same thing happen to one of our cats. He was huge cat and use to eat all the other animals food at feeding time. He just lost his appetite and slowly faded away.
It's amazing how a pet will grow on you. Especially a hunting dog that you share so many good times with.
Pass on my reguards to your friend, Mike.

[bryanmc]

That sux...
I prefer my dog's company to most humans I know....
Sorry to hear about the loss of his partner.

[CN]

I will allway's remember once as a kid i found this dog outside my house one day when i was getting ready to walk to school.I showed a little attention and when i got home that afternoon that dog was there waiting for me.

He was just a mutt balck with this one white dot on his shoulder so i called him Dot.Groing up as a kid my dad hunted with hound dog's for Racoon's and Bobcat's and i really never got attached to any of our hunting dog's but that old dog i just fell in love with.

So i asked dad if i could keep him and of course he said "that dog aint worth nothing why do you want to keep him".Well he let me keep him and i had him for over 12 year's.He used to follow me to school and wait for me and he would never come on the school ground's but every day he would be there waiting for me.

I remember an old trick he would do.I would tell him to sit and i would put a peice of hotdog on his nose in the living room and tell him DONT EAT IT.There were people in the room and i would walk away out of site to another room and wait.Then i would come back in look at him for a minute and say go ahead.He would then eat it.He used to chase me on my Hodaka 90 in the produce feild's here in Salinas until the pad's on his feet would get's sore's on them biting at my front wheel.

Well remember this is year's ago and he got old on me and we did not know any better and my dad said he need's to be put down.Well nobody was going to do that but me and i did.To this day i will never forget old Dot the best freind i ever had.

[Ken C.]

That's sad to hear. Tell your bud that we feel for him and his family.

I'm a dog person. I have talked to alot of folks who treat their dogs - hunting dogs anyway - like a "tool". Nothing to get attached to and if it breaks, you go get a new one. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but when I was selling my Lab pups a few years ago I refused to sell to a couple of guys because during my "interview" it became apparent that was how they felt!

To me, and most of the folks I consider friends, your dog - especially your hunting dog - is part of the family. (Not like a part of the family but part of the family.) Geez, sometimes my 3 labs treat me better than my kids! (now if I could only teach them to mow the lawn!) Each of my Labs has their own personality, their own "specialty", they have their toy box - of course they only know how to take the toys out, not put them back - and they all enjoy laying by the fire in the winter and havin' a good bone chew!

The best thing is when I take any of them out hunting (or camping and they all love to go Fly-Fishing with me!) - they just totally get into their element. Their smiles get so big you know they are just having the time of their life! I think I derive more pleasure just being out experiencing Nature at her finest as the sun comes up and just watch my pup(s) working. The smile they get on their face tells me they are just loving life and that makes my entire day right there. When we get out, they are all business -and I try my best to do exactly what they tell me to do!! But we always have a wonderful time and it is time that I would not trade for anything in the world.





I dread the day I have to come to that point with any of my friends. I have thought about it because my first and favorite is getting up there but I thank the Lord that she is still healthy, and lives for the days I take her out. CN, it sounds like you had a real good friend there.

Wes, our hearts go out to his family...

[Larry Douglas]

Rip;

I understand completely! I had to put my Brittany Spaniel down on the last day of June. She was absolutely a member of my family, and the hurt I felt when she was put down reflected how close she was to us.

"Cinder" is gone, but I still can't bring myself to get another dog yet. Maybe in the future.

My condolences to your friend.

Larry Douglas

[JRock]

I too suffered the loss of a very special dog due to old age about 8 years ago. On a positive note I'm considering getting another dog but can't determine which breed to go with. I'm looking for a kick back kind of dog that I can drag around with me everywhere. I'm partial to a mid sized dog, really like a small lab, Q heeler, or border collie.
I've forever wanted a Heeler but was told they can be mean SOB's? Border Collie's are suppost to be very smart but i'm not sure about the long hair everwhere. With the lab I'm concerned about them getting too big. I also have a four year old at home so it would have to be a puppy to start with.

Jrock

[ash]

Have you considered a Full Size Beagle? Low key dog with lots of personality, mid size, etc...

[tmulliken]

We recently lost our 13 yr. old yellow lab "Kayla", who was our third child and hunting companion. we have her son "Chase", who was born at home, and hardly spent a day of his life without his mother, he's now almost 10. Hard to tell the loss Chase feels, or the loneliness, but we spoil him rotten, just like we did his mom. It's a tough thing to go through, but she lived a great life, and did'nt suffer. I understand how your friend feels.

Tom Mulliken

[Rob D]

My heart goes out to him, it's the hardest thing to do. Dogs are truely the greatest friend you can ever have. I just could not imagine living without them in my life, I have not and will not ever forget the dogs that I have lost, they have enriched my family's life and been a part of my most valued memories. I will forever be a "Dog Lover". I have 2 now, Bud(Skipperkee), and Macy(Berniese Mountain Dog), I'm sure they are probably both asleep on the couch now while were at work.
My deepest sympathy for your friends loss.
Rob

[Riplip]

To everyone who responded here...

Your replies have lifted John's spirits and truly connected him in this community. He passes along his heartfelt thanks for the kind words in his difficult time.

Thanks again for all the support.

Rip AKA Wes