Doing what she loved..............


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Over a year and 1/2 ago Kate came down with Addisons, an illness that ravaged her system in many ways. It is the failure of the adrenal gland, and requires a shot of Percorten V every 4 weeks along with a small dose of Predinsone each day quit simply to keep her alive. The Addisons then caused Megasophagus making it almost imposible for her to swallow normal foods. In the last year and a half she went from a muscular 52 lb. dog to 41lbs yesterday. She grew no winter coat this year and her coat got thinner and thinner.

About a year ago she blew her ACL in the left leg. This ment a painful 4 month recovery after very invasive surgery. The surgery allowed her to hunt but soon caused very painful arthritis. Last Sunday she blew the other ACL.

She was the finest bird dog I've had the pleasure to own and always tried to please. Her quality of life was heading down at an alarming rate. She deserved better but was delt a terrible hand. Today she will be at rest, she'll never slam a covy with class and fire again, but will always be on point in my minds eye. I'll never get to see her coming proudly toward me with a quail softly held in her mouth. Never see her back at twenty yards with the same style she showed on point. And gladly she will never be in pain again.

This is not the first time I've faced this type of decision, but seems to weigh more heavily on me. She was a great dog and a great friend, loading for the hunt will never be the same. She leaves me with memories of a twenty covy day, and steadfast companionship.

Goodbye Kate, may the fields be full of quail and the nights restful...................

I had to put my 9 year(Rip) old down in the field at Thurber, Tx. years ago. He was the best dog I ever had and it hurt me so bad to have to do that, so for me quail hunting was over. I swore I'd never do it again unless I was with someone who had dogs. I know thats was a rash decision but I was getting to the place I could not walk well anyway so I hung em' up and haven't gone until recently I tried to hunt at Hwy_Mans' place and couldn't really mogate very well. Sorry for your loss!

Chet,
Sorry for your loss. I have lost some really good dogs too. I have to disagree with you, I think she is in heaven now having 20-30 covey days and slaming her points just like you remember. She is backing and hunting with some of the other great dogs that have gone on before.

Thanks Mike

I know your right...........

Sorry for your loss. Been there with a few dogs myself and its never easy. Have one now that's 11 and been a pleasure hunting with but she too has slowed down a lot and I fear this was her last hunting season. As hard as it was to do for you it was the right thing to do and she will forever be hunting pain free now!

Quote:

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she'll never slam a covy with class and fire again

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i could only imagine that this is far from the truth, I bet she is on point right now

sorry to hear about that chet

I'm sorry for your loss.

May she hunt in peace.

Chet, I know what you are fealing. I had to do the same thing in February.

Lost a dog of 10 years to something similar a little over a year ago. It's a long an painful process. I'm truly sorry for you.

I lost my best freind and loyal companion last October. He was a 6-year old Wiemeraner. He was always by my side. The following is a short story about the Rainbow Bridge.

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends there, so that they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All of the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing, they miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His eyes are intent, his eager body quivers. Suddenly, he begins to run from the group. Flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

THEN YOU CROSS RAINBOW BRIDGE TOGETHER.

Author Unknown

lost one about 10 years ago, time will heal and you will only remember the good things good luck and sorry for the loss

Chuck,
I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I know it was not a easy but I'm sure it was what was best.I'm very proud to say that I got to hunt with Kate.She has left me with some memories too.

I am truly sorry to hear about Kate. I know the feeling Chuck and it sucks.

I FEEL YOURE PAIN I LOST MY FIRST BIRDDOG 3 YEARS AGO IN APRIL & NOT A DAY HAS GONE BY THAT I HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THAT DOG. (MALE BRITTANY)I BET HE'S BACKING KATE RIGHT NOW. KEEP YOU'RE HEAD UP.

this is the only negative to having such a fine, loyal hunting companion... is that we eventually have to part with them. Sorry to hear of your loss. She's in a better place and if there is any consolation, it's the fact that one day when we all pass those gates up there, there they will be... all of them, tails waggin, tongues hangin... barking and ready to huntemup with us again. I've already told my wife to make sure you put my whistle and my .28 in the ground with me because I'm going to have a kennel full waiting on me when I go.

Oh man. I am sorry to hear about your loss. As sad as it is, she is in a much better place. And knee deep in birds I bet.

Sorry to hear about your best friend.

I remember bringing you home. You were so small and cuddly with your tiny paws and soft fur.

You bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears flopping. Once in awhile, you'd let out a little yelp just to let me know that this was your territory.

Making a mess of the house and chewing on everything in sight became a passion, and when I scolded you, you just put your head down and looked up at me with those innocent eyes, as if to say, "I'm sorry, but I'll do it again as soon as you're not watching."

As you got older, you protected me by looking out the window and barking at everyone who walked by. When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting for me with your tail wagging, just to say, "Welcome home. I missed you." You never had a bad day and I could always count on you to be there for me.

When I sat down to read the paper and watch TV, you would hop on my lap, looking for attention. You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head so you could go to sleep with your head over my leg.

As you got older, you moved around more slowly. Then, one day, old age finally took its toll and you couldn't stand on those wobbly legs anymore. I knelt down and patted you lying there, trying to make you young again. You just looked up at me as if to say that you were old and tired and that after all these years of not asking for anything, you had to ask me for one favor.

With tears in my eyes, I drove you one last time to the vet. One last time you were lying next to me. For some strange reason, you were able to stand up in the animal hospital; perhaps it was your sense of pride.

As the vet led you away, you stopped for an instant, turned your head and looked at me as if to say,
"Thank you for taking care of me."

I thought, "No.... thank you for taking care of me."





I felt this to very appropriate for your situation

That really hurts. Dogs will always be there for you. They are companions, friends, buddies, co-workers, and no matter what kind of day that you have, they are there to greet you. My dog is my best friend and I never have to explain what I am doing or why. He just accepts it and accepts me. The only regret I hope to have in life is to not get to be a part of enough puppys' lives. Your next dog will not take the place of your loss, but it will take the edge off of your pain when he or she comes up to you with that puppy breath. Your loss put tears in my eyes. I am sorry.

Sorry for your loss...Just put one down in January and not a day goes by that I dont think about him...Hard to imagine how attached we become to our hunting partners/companions..Its great to think about the amazing hunts we had with them, and how aweful our hunts would have been if not for their work...