so long old friend

[jigglestick]

last week, it was time to put down my first real hunting dog and faitful companion, my ---our german shorthair cross, Dixie.
she was nearing fourteen years old and having a hard time getting up on her own.
we had her cremated and this weekend when we went pheasant hunting down in jackson county, we spread her ashes at a favorite WMA we used to go to.
this was especialy tough on my oldest son. this was his dog. she slept with him most nights and was allways there as long as he can remember.

as my friend said, we should be lucky to hunt over one good dog in our lives.
we were that lucky.

she will be missed and fondly remembered.

[Dr.Bob]

We are very sorry to hear that Dave.  Dix was a real sweetheart and we all loved her. 

Please tell everyone that we are thinking of you guys!  I really feel bad for JJ.  Parting with your first dog is one of the worst things a person has to go through in life. 

 :'( :'( :'(

[Outdoors Junkie]

Sorry to hear about your families loss.  Your post made me think of my first dog "Jake".  I was in my second year of college when my parents called and told me he went to that happy hunting place in the sky.  I still miss that special dog.  You and your family are in my thoughts.

[Bufflehead]

Sorry to hear of your families loss, we hope time will heal your hearts

 Tough to loose one of the family members, they are like our children.

 Your in our thoughts and prayers

 

[shakey legs 2]

You have my sympathy's Jigglestick.  I have buried two springers in the back yard and my # 3 springer is14 1/2 yrs. old so she could go any day.  She hasn't hunted for two years and I have a younger springer also.  I told my wife that I can't take the grave digging any more and you gave me a good idea of what to do.  I think I will cremate her and scatter her ashes at the last place she retireved a pheasant  I don't have any young kids at home any more and your are right about it being tough on them.

[QuillGordon]

I have been reading all the old posts on the forums trying to catch up.. This one really touched me.. I know how hard it is to lose a companion with whom you have shared many experiences.. I lost my 2 dogs in 2005,, Missy, my springer, and Joey, a springer- lab combo.. They were both 14 yrs old and led happy lives..  We just have to remember the good times... QG

[Woody]

I can empathsize with you all on the loss of your dogs.   Whether you hunt or not!  They are part of the family.   I lost my first dog-a beagle "Benji" due to old age.  Dad took him to the vet to have him put down w/o telling us ahead of time.  It was the best way to handle it-although I would have liked to say goodbye beforehand.

Then a few years ago after moving here, my other dog- a Llahssa Apso (sp?) "Max" accidentally got loose from his leash outside while going to the bathroom.  I got a call hours later from my next door neighbor that he was hunkered down in their yard, and didn't look good.  So I go get him, bring him in the house.  He was acting differently.  It was a sunday night, and as I held him trying to figure out what was wrong, and comfort him he died in my arms.  I found out later a guy down the road doesn't like dogs and poisoned him. (No proof-only eyewitnessed)  He was both my son's and daughter's dog-so it was extra hard to tell them both. 
We now have another Beagle, and he is never let out of our sights.  ~Woody

[guythathunts]

I read your post and thought I would read it to my wife. I read it out loud and at the end I got chocked up thinking about my own little buddie. It is hard to loose a dog, a friend, but having them with us during their life is priceless. Sorry to hear about your loss. ~ Greg, Christine and Duke