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My hunting partner is officially retired
#5557147
01/22/15 05:15 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117
shsuducks
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117 |
Suzie has officially retired from chasing doves, ducks, quail and the occasional coot with me. A tumor showed up on her leg a while back, but did not bother her or grow for months. Since dove season, it has grown to the size of an orange and is causing her to lose mobility. Fearing the worst, I took her to the vet again this week. They suggested amputating her leg instead of what I feared the most. We are taking her in tomorrow for surgery. I have struggled with this a lot. I don't want to be selfish and put her through any undue pain to keep her around. The doc assured me that this was a good option since she is so healthy otherwise. We are praying that he is right and that she recovers quickly. Wish Suzie luck!
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5557155
01/22/15 05:19 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853 |
Dang tough to make a decision like that, I am sure you made the best one. So sorry for you and the dog and prayers that the surgery goes well and she is healthy and happy afterwards
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5557163
01/22/15 05:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,881
TXPride
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,881 |
Man, that's tough. Good luck to the family and dog.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5557165
01/22/15 05:29 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,599
jaymz
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,599 |
I hear ya. I had hoped to get another year or two from mine but she kicked the bucket at 10 1/2. She retrieved a few beavers in her time, so no complaints. Let yours have a good time from here on out. She's done good and I bet she recovers well. Time to be a pet
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5557198
01/22/15 05:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278 |
That's rough. We had a dog that got hit on the interstate and had to have a leg amputated. Never slowed him down.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5557519
01/22/15 02:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,364
kindall
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,364 |
I'll send good thoughts your way, that the surgery goes well. I've seen some three legged dogs that get around just fine, so she maybe more mobile than you think.
Shopping with your husband is like hunting with the game warden. Experience is what you get, when you didn't get what you wanted.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5557995
01/22/15 05:12 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,485
CinchMan
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,485 |
My inlaws 9 year old chocolate lab got hit by a car and had to have a leg amputated. Before the surgery he was having a really hard time getting around and had lots of hip problems. Afterwards, he was like a new dog and would retrieve a tennis ball all day long. He's done fine since.
Say When.....
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5557998
01/22/15 05:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,891
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,891 |
As the owner of a blind dog let me say, please don't write Suzie off as a working dog. Dogs are very resilient. Let me tell you about another dog I followed online. An incredible dog named Bart. Bart lost his leg to Osteosarcoma, but the cancer then stayed in remission for several years. Only four months after his amputation Bart earned his Pointing Senior Hunter Title and stayed active his entire life. In the words of Bart's owner Darcy, "There is no need to waste time worrying about what you can’t do when there is so much that you can!" https://thenewbarker.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/a-case-for-the-power-of-love/
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5558033
01/22/15 05:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,857
Simple Searcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,857 |
Our family pet lost a front leg when he was 9 years old (broke it while running from a wild hog), he's 14 now and still going strong.
"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5558215
01/22/15 07:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117
shsuducks
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117 |
Thanks for all of the encouraging words. I am way more optimistic today than I was earlier this week. She is a fighter and I know she will do fine. Now, if that update from the vet would come...
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5558643
01/22/15 10:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,157
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,157 |
Good luck...I'm sure she will do better than you. They are a lot stronger than we give them credit for or at least more than I give them credit for.
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5558763
01/22/15 11:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117
shsuducks
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117 |
Suzie is home. The surgery went well and she is resting with the help of some strong drugs. The will to survive and the desire to please is incredible in a dog that has been your buddy for 10 plus years. With everything going on, the first thing she did when I picked her up to carry her to the truck was lick my face. She is way more than a dog.
Thanks again for all of the support and kind words. She has a tough road ahead, but I believe Judd is right. She will probably do better than me!
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5558797
01/22/15 11:54 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200
dawaba
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200 |
Judd is right. Half the battle of dealing with an amputation is psychological. Unlike people who sit around wringing their hands and worrying about what people will think and how will I get from Point A to B......dogs just take off.
Your dog probably still has a season or more of moderate retrieving still left in her, and you'll marvel at her ability to cope (as you wipe a tear from your eye). I once knew a Golden that had amputations on both a front and rear leg, thus a two-legged dog. Like you would ride a 2-wheeled bicycle, this dog quickly taught itself to walk and run; and what was amazing was to observe how the Golden used its tail as a counterweight that swung this way and that to maintain balance. Nobody taught her; she just did it.
Just stand aside and watch Suzie cope....and excel!
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5558867
01/23/15 12:23 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,891
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,891 |
Glad it went well. Suzie will cope just fine. She does not know how many legs she is supposed to have just as my dog Blaze does not know she is not supposed to be blind. Dogs can't comprehend self pity. She will amaze you at what she will be capable of. Your a good man to give her that chance to do so.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5559048
01/23/15 01:40 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,395
Pittstate
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,395 |
Prayers for a speedy recovery and many more retrieves!
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5559347
01/23/15 03:52 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 115
Tyrannosaurusrexeggs
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 115 |
Best of luck, I'm sure she will do great, dogs are remarkably risiliant!
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5559813
01/23/15 02:13 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117
shsuducks
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117 |
This dog is amazing. She woke me up in the middle of the night, walking around the house! I let her outside and she was almost running. This morning, she lined up with the other dogs for their morning treats. I am so glad that I went through with the surgery. That whole retirement thing my not be so official after all. She is already looking for a squirrel to harass in the yard.
Sniper John: I have followed your posts about blaze for years. I don't post often but read this forum daily. It is truly inspiring to watch your dogs and the way you work with them. Suzie has a second chance and she is making the most of it so far.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5559858
01/23/15 02:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
Shsuducks I had officially retired Bull as well. I had to take him to the coast this last week. I just let him go out and back in on easy sand. Everything hurts him but easier sand is best. The doc prescribed remadil (sp). I give before a hunt, the day of and after. He does well with it. It is very hard on their liver so I use it very sparingly.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5559879
01/23/15 02:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,157
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,157 |
That's awesome! Glad she is doing well...dogs are amazing and we are blessed they share their lives and loyalty with us.
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#5560240
01/23/15 05:34 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278 |
Glad she is doing well.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#6170140
02/05/16 02:54 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117
shsuducks
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 117 |
Suzie fought hard to get back in the game after all of this. The recovery following amputation was incredible! She was top dog around the house in no time. I am glad we were able to take away that pain associated with the tumor. Everyone on here was great through it all.
Sadly, about 10 months after this surgery she started acting strange. Not eating(very weird for a lab), coughing and sleeping all day long. A trip to the vet revealed five tumors in her lungs. There was nothing that could be done at this point. I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with her and the joy she brought to my family. There is no way another dog could ever come close to Suzie.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#6170157
02/05/16 03:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 868
GimmeABuck
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 868 |
So sorry for your loss, saying goodbye to a good dog leaves a big hole in the heart.
Sounds like she had a good run and was very loved.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#6170244
02/05/16 04:26 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278 |
Sorry to hear.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: Fooshman]
#6170364
02/05/16 01:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,409
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,409 |
My first time reading this thread, guess I missed it last year. The last update caught me off guard, sorry to hear about Suzie, lost my dog in November I know it is a tough deal.
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Re: My hunting partner is officially retired
[Re: shsuducks]
#6170464
02/05/16 02:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,331
Duck_Hunter
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,331 |
First time seeing Suzie's story for me, too. Sorry for your loss. She sounds like a great pup. Hang in there.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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