A few weeks ago I had my dogs out chasing tennis balls on a gorgeous fall day. Bailey, my 9 year old golden, and Fox my Cocker Spaniel were having a great time retrieving and engaging in games of tag, the one with the ball being pursued by the one without.
An hour after we retired to the house, Bailey began panting heavily. It wasn't long until he was obviously struggling to catch his breath. A call to the Vet met with an answering machine and an emergency number to call.
"Bring him right in..." My wife and I struggled to get his lean but massive 105 pound, unresponsive, body into the Suburban. The clinic is an hour and a half away. Half way there, the gasping stopped. I pulled into a convenience store, ran to the back and opened the hatch and he was gone.
I am not ashamed to admit that I cried like a baby. He had been a great friend for 9 seasons. We had chased Grouse and woodcock, ducks, geese and brant in many states together.
Bailey was my third Golden, I had 13 years with his father, Casco, and Barnegat was my first. Bailey was scheduled to be studded out 4 days after his death. It was my intent to take the pick of the litter but it wasn't meant to be.
I haven't been able to go out for waterfowl yet. Just not ready to do so I guess. When you are with your hunting partner, cherish the moment as they are far too few due to the short time we are alotted with our retrievers.
A few weeks ago we added a new member to our family, an 8 week old golden named PArker. While he will never take the place of our departed friend, I am certain that Bailey would approve.
An hour after we retired to the house, Bailey began panting heavily. It wasn't long until he was obviously struggling to catch his breath. A call to the Vet met with an answering machine and an emergency number to call.
"Bring him right in..." My wife and I struggled to get his lean but massive 105 pound, unresponsive, body into the Suburban. The clinic is an hour and a half away. Half way there, the gasping stopped. I pulled into a convenience store, ran to the back and opened the hatch and he was gone.
I am not ashamed to admit that I cried like a baby. He had been a great friend for 9 seasons. We had chased Grouse and woodcock, ducks, geese and brant in many states together.
Bailey was my third Golden, I had 13 years with his father, Casco, and Barnegat was my first. Bailey was scheduled to be studded out 4 days after his death. It was my intent to take the pick of the litter but it wasn't meant to be.
I haven't been able to go out for waterfowl yet. Just not ready to do so I guess. When you are with your hunting partner, cherish the moment as they are far too few due to the short time we are alotted with our retrievers.
A few weeks ago we added a new member to our family, an 8 week old golden named PArker. While he will never take the place of our departed friend, I am certain that Bailey would approve.
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