Raise a Glass

[2 Tollers]

Raise a glass of your favourite beverage tonight to Duff,

June 2003 to Jan 2019, WCX, JH, Certified Therapy dog

Duff was an amazing dog for the family. Trained as a waterfowl dog his passion was upland. Yes he would bring back ducks or geese but his tail would really get going on upland hunts. Duff loved to run and worked very well in close as a flushing retriever. He recognised upland hunting areas as soon as we drove down a familiar route he would be up at the window looking out.

He had just started working through the hunt tests when our daughter had a serious illness at College. I gave her Duff as a companion and she took him through training for certification as a therapy dog to work in Hospital’s. I think Duff had a significant contribution to her recovery and for this he has a special place in my memory and heart.

I had the opportunity to watch Duff work as a therapy dog the night my sister passed in an ICU bed. My daughter brought him in and he seemed to be a shape changer as he moved around the equipment, doctors and nurses and went directly to the people that needed him the most.

In the last year arthritis took a toll on Duff’s spine and he lost muscle mass in his back end. He had trouble walking and recently had started to fall over. For a dog that loved long blind retrieves, working in water, long walks and running his quality of life had deteriorated quickly.

Duff you are no longer here but in a better place free from pain where you can run once again. You had a great run and a great contribution to our family and others in need.

The three amigos are now two.

To Duff

[JDK71]

will do sorry for your loss

[Mr Conservation]

Sorry for your loss.

Will raise a glass tonight.

Mr Conservation

[pinelakeperch]

I don't have many drinks, but I'll have one tonight specifically for your friend, I can promise you that!

Life just isn't the same without them. It gets better with each day, but the hole will always be there. Sorry for your loss.

[Piker]

I will and amen to the best companion any one can have!

[Bigwoodsman]

I’ll toast Duff for you later this evening.

They truly are mans best friend!

BW

[Howard Hutchinson]

A toast to Duff from us here too.

[58thecat]

To Duff...

A celebration of life, many fond memories.

[Scott N]

A toast to Duff

[sns2]

Buddy, I am so sorry for your loss. many people just do not get the special bond between a man and his dog. Your hearts must ache. These threads are so sad. Thank you for sharing how special he was.

[buckbrush]

Will raise a glass to Duff tonight.

Everyone of these posts pulls on the heart strings.
Until someone has gone through the loss of a loyal friend, they have no idea how hard it truly is.

Very sorry for your loss and may the memories you cherish help to ease the pain.

[bagwan]

I was hoisting a pre dinner beer and Clam as I opened AO and read this. Now I dediacate it to Duff and the wonderful people that made his life just as rewarding. RIP buddy

[pikergolf]

So sorry to hear of your loss. I truly believe that God recognized that some people in life would need a little help, for those of us, God gave us dogs. And yes I really believe that.

[does it ALL outdoors]

It's no coincidence dog spelled backwards is God.

I'll break out the good Whiskey for your loss.

Till ya meet again at the rainbow bridge, TO DUFF!

[kinwahkly]

As I always processed Every one should own a good dog once in their lives . Sounds like you had one . Will raise a toast to you're pup tonight. Sorry for you're loss.

[Ranets]

[Jim Blake]

Just had a double rum for your loss. We always use to get a restart pup and I always named my dogs the same name every time. We've been in birddogs for a long time. Again, sorry for your loss but a future ahead for a new recruit!!

[hayseed]

Toasting Duff with a Voddy an cran after a hard day in the trenches...

Sorry for your loss..

[Fish along]

When I was a lad and ole Shep was a pup...remember? one of my first songs with the guitar,my dad would tear up when I sang it, we are a family of dog lovers and so ill raise a glass for Duff tonight. Sorry for your loss.

[CritterCommander]

Here's to Duff....it might take more than one.

[Okotok]

Sorry to hear. For a lot of people and for various reasons, the loss of a dog can be harder on you than the loss of certain family members. I've been through a few and know how hard it can be.

[Jamie]

Sounds like a amazing Pup who can not be replaced. I would have liked to have met this dog.

[Twisted Canuck]

Sorry to hear, I will definitely raise a glass in Duff's honor tonight. Dogs are the best thing God gave to us people.

[sgill808]

Sorry for your loss.

[Habfan]

Cheers !!

[barbless]

Really and truly sorry for your loss. What an amazing pup. I have had a couple of best bud's over the decades. Each and everyone were their own special friend. Can hardly read what I'm typing from the volumes of tears ready to bubble out in the eyes. Like looking through a fishbowl. A fourple of my fave for him. V&T and a few Sambuca

[260 Rem]

Here’s one for the Duff.

[calgarychef]

Well coincidentally, I just opened a beer and sat down.

So here’s to yer dog!

[birchbark]

Sorry for your loss... when a beloved pet passes it’s like a piece of you goes with them. We get more attached to them than they do to us, only we don’t realize it until that day comes. I feel your pain, having recently lost a pet quite unexpectedly. Cherish the good times and remind yourself of the love and care that you provided, giving him the best life possible. You can know that he was grateful..

[dfrobert]

Never easy. Mans best friend. RIP.