Loss of The Man....

Jay

Man I hate that. It seems like one of the biggest inequities in a waterfowler's life is our beloved retrievers don't live nearly enough seasons. The hurt is almost so bad you don't want to ever go through it again but you do because it's a part of you and your family and adds an essential element to your hunting. Cassie will be 8 by next season and I know the end might come at any time so I enjoy every hunt and no longer assess her retrieves with a critical eye. Each one is a blessing and I appreciate all of them.

Jay, take comfort in the fact many of us have been where you are and as much as it pains now it will subside with the fondest of memories remaining. I feel for you bud.
 
The lifespan is the short end of the stick when you share part of your life with a retriever. Champion or companion, they manage to somehow make things better.

In Michener's "Chesapeake", he wrote about the Lab that the house seems bigger with one in it. And by extension then, it seems smaller and more quiet when they are gone.

We all know, and we understand. Sorry for you and your family.
 
Jay - Sorry to hear of your loss. Sounds like Stanley gave you many hours of service and great memories. May God give you the peace that only He can give. Pat
 
Jay,

Sorry to hear that. The way you have talked about him over the years - it is clear he was special.

T
 
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. I had to put Jake down last year in July and it was very difficult - He was 13. I am blessed with many memories of the time we spent together afield. I now have a new Pup that is almost 7 Months old and I went and named him Jet - I must end up calling him Jake several times a day! It's a wonder the dog has any clue his name is Jet. Hang tough and time will get you through this.
 
Jay, I truly sorry. I just pray that there is a heaven, and if there is I'm sure it'll have a heck of a marsh where we will all be reunited with our beloved hunting buddies. I can't wait, but in the mean time it won't hurt to bring another pup along, sounds like he would have pretty big paws to follow though.
John
 
Sorry to hear that, A dog can make the worst day of hunting into one of the most memorable. Dogs lives are far too short but the memories they give us will always keep us smiling and telling the stories.
 
Jay, there is no doubt it is one of the worst periods of our lives and understandably we never forget them and that is as it should be. Hang in there buddy...........most of us have been at that point a time or two and know what you are going through.

Dave
 
Sorry for the loss of your companion and hunting buddy. Its got to be a little tough right now, but time is a healer....as is a new puppy.
 
Jay,
Many of have been there, and I'm sorry for your loss. Stanley must of been proud to be your compainion and friend. You did well by him. Jode
 
Jay,

I wish I had the words that could take away your loss and pain. But, having gone thru the same thing several times myself ....... I know that no such words exist. Just as no words can ever truly convey what our dogs mean to us in life, nor can we capture their true personalities in prose.

When the day comes when time has lessened the ache and loss, when all the memories that come will only be pleasant ones, then will you find peace.

Until then, know that Stanley waits for you at the other side of the rainbow bridge . He is there with all the other great friends who have gone before. They will show him the best places to lay in the sun, the fields with the sweetest grass. The cover with the most birds and the blinds where all the flocks s fly over.

Until you meet again, he will be charging thru meadows and swimming in clear water lakes. So go on now Stanley. You've earned the rest. "Go on Stanley. Hunt 'em up. "

Dave B
 
Sorry for your loss. I had to put down my first lab 7 years ago. Still upsets me to think she is gone. She was hardheaded, but a great hunter and friend.
 
Wow....it just blows my mind how special this place can be sometimes. That's exactly why I posted this and maybe I'll even post it somewhere else because without a doubt it makes me feel better. I just wish I had the words....I appreciate all the comforting thoughts. This was third time I've had to do this and sharing my pain with you folks has been good medicine.

The second week of February he was crossing a ditch and retrieving giant Canadas in a flooded beanfield that had an inch or so of ice on it so he'd break through when his weight hit the ice. In all honesty, too much to ask of a dog his age. Most of them were blinds as it was a big crew of guys that morning and marks were hard to come by. He was healthy as hell. I recall my buddy Jim saying as he worked a 5th consecutive bird,"Jesus look at that old dog...he's a freakin' machine". And the thing is, he wasn't a machine really...he had good drive when it was challenging. My buddy Josh always characterized him as having "occasional moments of brilliance". That pretty much says it all.

Stanley was stricken by a nasty oral cancer. It was so progressive that I was shocked. I could see daily growth of the tumor. Its something that many folks have attempted to remove and give the dog a few extra months but often times they loose a good portion of their jaw and as I told the vet,"I'd sooner beat him to death with my shoe than put him through chemo and some big surgery." I started him on canned puppy food a couple weeks ago to try to maintain his weight and his preference was to have me stick the hose nozzle in his mouth so he could drink as it was difficult for him to fit water in his mouth. My friends wife is a vet and she came by the night before to look at him and said he was still in great shape and figured I had another few weeks. I had planned on breeding him as this type of cancer by all accounts does not have a genetic component. The bitch that was lined up is a couple weeks late. He came up to me Sunday morning and just stared at me...he put his chin on my leg. It was time. The tissue in his mouth was horrendous. When we did it I was shocked at how messed up the kids were. I guess I was being selfish and then I realized those kids don't know a world without him.

Amazingly, his mother Aggie outlasted him. She probably won't see dove season so we'll have to do this again this summer. I officially retired her 2 season ago so I'm pretty much out when it comes to the utilitarian aspect. There will be a puppy soon!

Once again....thanks for the kind words. I don't know how many will catch this long follow up but as Paul Harvey says......................
 
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Jay,

Our dogs never live long enough. Life wouldn't be the same without them in our lives at all. It sure is hard when they leave us.

God bless you and your family,

Tom
 
Dear brother Jay,

I'm so very sorry to hear this. May your pain be replaced by the many wonderful memories of your dear hunting buddy. God Bless you and your family.

Your friend,

Mark
 
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