After only a few minutes of hunting this morning, Cappy whined to be let out of the blind and I assumed he needed to relieve himself. Don't know what prompted him to do so but he walked down a few feet in front of the blind to the shoreline and just sat down there to watch from that vantage point.



Normally I'd never allow him to be out in the open where he can be seen and spook the birds. But since today's his 10th birthday, I let him do whatever he wanted. He sat there for 10 minutes or so, then he seemed satisfied and came back into the blind with me.

Maybe he was just reliving some of the past ten years worth of hunting experiences? If so, we've had days with more ducks .. but never a better day than today just being together.



Happy birthday big fella, hope we still have several more together.

That's awsome!!! Great looking dog.

That is the best way to spend any birthday...man or dog!

Great pics Cappy, tell the ol boy Happy Birthday..I'm sure your spoiling him today

That is an awesome picture to go along with a great story. There is nothing like spending a little quality time outside with your dog.

Thats pretty awesome! Not to steal a thread..but how long folks usually hunt thier dogs?

I like your thinking Cappy

Jim, that pic almost put me to tears....

Right there is what it is ALL about! It's not the kills, its not the amount of birds, it is the time you spend with "friends" and "family"

Of all the pictures I have seen you post that one right there...is one of the best I have ever seen you post!

Give Ole Cappy Dog an extra pat on the head for me if you don't mind...

Thanks for sharin'...

J.J.

Great post and You have been blessed, many more years to you both. Reading the post made me go out and hug on my damn ol'dog.

I've had dawgs that hunted into their early teens and others that were finished by age 8. Large boned breeds like Labs tend to break down faster than smaller ones ie poniters, Setters, Brittanys, and the spaniels. I've owned 9 gun dawgs in my 67 years. Each have been lavished with love, attention, quality food and frequent medical exams. They have all lived in the house with me and were part of the family yet still hunted hard during season.

Good food, year around training and conditioning and addressing their medical needs promptly should get the average Labrador from good field breeding to an active career of 10-12 years. Those that don't make it as long are usually taken by cancer or an organ failure such as kidney death.

I always think of this when discussing a gun dawg's life span ...

I will lend to you for a while, a Pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives and mourn for him when he’s dead.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three,
But will you, ‘till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief
You’ll always have his memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.

I’ve looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the folk that crowd life’s land, I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my Pup back again?

I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy Will be Done,"
For all the joys this Pup will bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shelter him with tenderness; we’ll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back much sooner than we’ve planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

If, by our love, we’ve managed, your wishes to achieve,
In memory of him we loved to help us while we grieve,
When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife,
We’ll have yet another Pup, and love him all his life.

Great pictures and post Jim! Thanks!

Awesome story and a great dog. Im gonna have to give mine a big hug tonight while were getting all our gear together for in the morning!

Oh, and JJ ... not withstanding what the halfwits on other forums have to say about my "humanizing" my dawgs ...

What birthday is complete without a party? Especially when it's a Tenth. So Carol and Grammie made a chopped sirloin "bone" for the two dawgs and a birthday cake for Cappy.



Not sure if you can tell but Cappy was giggling in this pic when I whispered to him that the bone and cake were all HIS!



But we relented and allowed Remi to rejoin us at the table



And of course there was cake and presents too

Had a black lab that made it to almost 12 years old. He was a good dog, and a better companion and friend. It's hard to lose an animal that you've raised from a pup.
Great post and pics.

That is to cool!

I great pics.!