Putting your old hunting partner down....

[Arago]

Had to put my best buddy & hunting partner to sleep the other day. Gunther, a male chocolate lab, was the most enthusiastic, fantastic rooster dog. Any hunter who owns a dog, someday faces that awful day. At almost 13 he had joined me in many hunts thru out the years. And waited for me with tail wagging when I'd get home from work. I don't know if there is anything harder than making a decision to put a dog down. For selfish reasons I guess I could have waited. But he could not hunt, had trouble breathing and was dis-orientated.

A new pup will come someday. But not now. Emotions are to raw. As many of you know: who have had and lost a dog, there is nothing like it. The best part of hunting is being with your dog. So... for those of you with a dog in it's prime, cherish each time out.

[Pleasant]

Sorry for your loss. Been their and think of my black lab Charlie very often.

[FishinFools]

The most brutal part of a hunter's life. A new dog fills a void, but never completely. Sorry for your loss.

[muc33]

Sorry for your loss, I had to do the same two years ago and it still sucks.

[Musky Buck]

Haven't done a dog since my neighbor floored his truck and purposefully took mine out and my neighbor lives a mile away, we live on gravel, he had the nards to come tell me, I said you got him alright, I heard the truck engine roar moments before it happened. I said you are one sick dude and you raise labs for part of your living ? Told him better keep your mutts off my land now, I'd hate to have to dust them if I assume they're chasing deer, what a loser this dude is.

[nunzio]

Very sorry for your loss. Hard decision to make that's for sure. The good ones are never replaced.

I hope you find one sooner rather than later. Don't second guess, when it's time it's time.

[Darrell Larson]

I know exactly what you are going through. The worst day of my life was when I got a call from the wife that my Lab (Penny) was in the back yard with the same symptoms you mentioned. I went home walked in the back yard and she looked at me like, help me out here. I picked her up and off to the Vet we went, she was 16 years old. Time heals wounds after awhile, but my memories of her will last forever, like yours will for Gunther.

Time will come someday when you decide to get another pup, but he or she will never replace your recent loss. I have a Chessie now, great hunter, but will never in my eyes,do better than my all time favorite (Penny)the Black Lab that was born to hunt and take care of us, her family.

[Arago]

Very will put. You nailed it right on the head.

[Powerstroke]

I had to put my first dog down last fall after a freak injury. I feel your pain. Your story brings renewed sadness, but all you can do is remember the good times and move on.

I have a beautiful new young dog and sometimes I wish I still that that old boy to hunt with as his time ended too soon, but I know I gave him many great years and he did the same for me.

Good boy Gunther. Good boy.

[Scott M]

Tough to stomach. I've got a 4.5 year old black lab snoozing next to me as I type this. Ever since she was a puppy I've feared our last days together. I'm cherishing the time we have by getting her out as much as we can, and she's doing a great job with that time. And she's a great family dog. Doesn't mind when my almost one year old crawls all over her and pulls her cheeks, lips, whiskers, hair, and skin.

You'll always have the memories and in time your hurt will leave. You can't replace him but you can create memories with another dog.

[Odonata]

Geeze guys, emotional thread! BaIley, our yellow/nearly white lab is 11. Tough for her to hunt without spending the next 3-4 days hardly moving. Not to sound sappy, but a few of your stories choked me up. Sorry for you loss, am not looking forward to Bsiley's final trip.

[CANOPY SAM]

Last spring I had to put down our female Black Lab, Ellie Mae. She was a nice family dog, not much good for hunting, but kind of a pain in the backside for the most part. Ellie was willful, and intentionally disobedient, no matter how much training time I put in with her.

Despite her transgressions, she was a member of our family, and it was extremely difficult for me to do what had to be done. Her legs were nearly gone, she was suffering with tumors, and she wasn't terribly happy anymore. The whole family agreed that it wasn't fair to her to allow her suffering to continue just so we could still have her around. She was 13 years old. My kids and I made a nice place for her in our backyard. A spot she enjoyed sitting and watching the river, and the world go by, as only a dog can do.

Ironically, even tough we'd planned to be dog free for a while, we took in a young lady this summer who needed some assistance to get back on her feet. She brought with her a 7 month old male Black Lab, Bones. She lived with us for several months, and I took care of her dog as she resumed a good job, saved up some money, and eventually relocated with a new start in life.

Just before leaving us she reconciled that she could not continue to take care of a full grown, large breed dog while re-starting college, and a new job, in a new place. We were happy to learn she'd decided to leave Bones with us! Our kids have all come to love him (even my wife who is not a dog lover), and I suspect he'll become one of those rare dogs that live up to every dog owner's dreams. The kind of dog, as earlier stated, that you never forget even years after they're gone.

In only a few months he's already become a firm member of our family, he hunts with amazing enthusiasm, and stamina. He's really loving, and cuddly, healthy and growing vigorously. He's obedient, and you can quickly tell he wants nothing more than to please his family pack. He evens prefers to do his "business" in the woods next to our house, rather than in the yard! Other than the fact that he still thinks he's a small puppy and gently climbs into your lap, or up around your neck while you're relaxing on the sofa, he seems to be the perfect dog.

Sorry to hear about your family member my friend. I can empathize with your feelings. Bones is laying on my feet, keeping them warm while I type this. A new dog can change your life, and bring amazing joy and peace to your home.

I was recently reading where the new prescription for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a dog. It's been repeatedly shown that a dog can sense your depression, and tends to offer solace and loving support when it's most needed. Truly "man's best friend".

[Arago]

Thanks for your personal story. It's great your family has a new buddy & friend! I think eventually I'll take that good advice about a new puppy. I think a dog is one of God's gifts to us.

[Pherris]

It is hard. Best advice I have is to don't be sad remembering the dog you lost. Be happy for the dog you had and all the great memories you shared together. I think it is by nature that we live longer then our dogs. This way we get to experience and create memories with many dogs throughout our lives. Each special in their own way. When I put my first lab down I cried my eyes out and said I would never get another because the pain when losing her was so great. It does get better. I got a new one after about 7 months and while she will never replace the dog I lost she also holds a very special place in my heart and am looking forward to the memories we have and will make together.. Sorry for your loss.

[charliepete]

I had to put down my hunting buddy last year. I know how it is. A good tip is that there a few places that will come out to your house to put your dog down. It was more expensive, but if I'm going to bawl my eyes out, I'd rather do it in my own house rather than some vet clinic. Since it was in the middle of the winter I paid to have him cremated as well since the ground was too hard to bury him.

I still miss him quite a bit. It's been real hard on my 4 year old son since he doesn't fully grasp death. It's a year later and on an almost daily basis he asks how he's doing and when we'll see him again. It just tears me up every time I have to talk to him about it. It's the only part I don't like about owning dogs.