The wife's dog started losing control of her back legs Friday and it progressed super-fast and she couldn't get up this morning. After one vet, then a specialty clinic saying it's either cancer or spinal disc ($3K for the MRI and $7500.00 for the surgery), we had to make that sad call and have her euthanized. She'd just had hip surgery last March and my wife was adamant that she wasn't going to put her through another surgery and recovery. The dog HATED crates and pretty much lived to be with my wife or me; she got extremely anxious away from us. I thought we'd have her for more than 8&1/2 years, but she was a typical lab - happy to the very end. We both held her on a couch while the very sweet lady vet administered. The wife is torn up and I'm barely holding it together. Life has lots bigger problems and loss than losing a dog, but after my Blue Lacy passes, there ain't no way in hell I'm voluntarily putting myself or my wife through this again. (If she wants a dog after I kick the bucket, that's her business. )

I didn't, technically "hunt" her, but she had it in her. She deserved a true duck hunter, but I'm what she wound up with. She would attempt to catch squirrels as they fell when I shot them. And after every squirrel kill, she insisted on taking a "victory lap" in the spa. If I shot something on the ranch, she was out and on it, no matter what I wanted her to do. She couldn't control herself.

Here she is, allowing me to use her pool:



And she loved perusing her new ranch:




Adios, Daphne Rose Butter Rum (of course, with a name like that - AKC registered).



(She wasn't spoiled at all.)

So sorry. They are such wonderful companions.

That's a tough one my friend........great pics she was lovely.......the older I get, the more I appreciate their unconditional love.......so I will continue to ride the emotional roller coaster.....that's the trade off......Godspeed Daphne Rose Butter Rum......

I hate to lose a good one, but you did the right thing.. 8 years isn’t enough. Sadly I’ve only had one hunting dog make it past 8 and it was my first lab. No bird dogs of mine have ever seen 9. You will feel better in a few days.

No words but thoughts and prayers to you when you lose one. Family members they are. Sorry for your loss.

Man that’s terrible, I’m sorry. Looks like y’all had a lot of fun

Sorry to hear about your loss, all they want to do is please there owners. I lost my yellow lab after 14yrs. i feel for ya'll.

8 years is too short. Condolences to your and your family, so sorry you all did not have many more years with that beautiful lab.

Nothing like a good dog and loosing one hurts a whole lot and dread the day that happens again in our house but our Brittany is getting older with some major health issues and know I will cry like a baby when that time comes.

Never easy. I've probably shed more tears over pets than I have people.

Sorry for your loss. Labs are one of the best companions. The sadness will go away with a new puppy.

Sorry for your loss, it’s hard to say goodbye to our four legged friends

I didn't get enough time with her. May she RIP..

So sorry for your loss.....heartbreaking.....

I'm so sorry. She was a great dog and it looks like she enjoyed every second with you.

Sorry to hear. Can be like losing a family member.

Very sorry for your loss . Losing a 4 leg friend is a tuff one .

sorry for your loss - we have a special one at our house and thinking about him being gone is tough - wife said lets get a clone so I looked it up - 100K so that wont happen

A new puppy will ease your grief like nothing else.

Man I'm sorry.
Very, very tough indeed.

And how you are keeping it together I've no idea. I still get teary eyed thinking about our GSP and she's been gone 2.5 years now.

Worst part of owning them...we are down to one (she a 12y old lab) and I told my wife I'm done with pets. She informed me that I'm gone way to much...we are a dog family and will have dogs. So I guess like Pitchfork, we'll continue to ride the emotions ourselves.

Prayers for you and your wife.

Sorry for your loss.

My condolences for the loss of your beautiful lab. I have lost multiple dog companions over the years and it is always so hard. The two we have now are getting older and I already tear up just thinking about their loss.

Terrible to hear. Sorry for your loss. It was a tough decision, no doubt. Have had to make that decision several times and have broken down each time. Never easy.

Sorry for your loss. I've owned one Lab and she lived one month shy of 14 yrs.