Loss of a friend

[reelhooker]

I hate to have to write this but last Monday, My wife and I took one of our labs in to be put down.
She is Daisy in this post.
http://outdoorsmenforum.ca/showpost....6&postcount=86
Daisy had a need to constantly be swimming and looking for anything she could eat.
I used to camp a lot with just my sleeping bag or a lean to, Daisy would often take off in the middle of the night and return about the time that breakfast was ready. We never feared for her safety as she was probably a bigger threat to anything else edible then it would be to her. This dog would swim for hours upstream in rivers or in circles and figure eights in a lake until you called her back in. If you splashed around in the water she would swim around you until you grabbed on then pull you to shore. This was actually an issue when kids where swimming, she would not leave them alone.

About a month ago we had a fast growing tumor removed. It in a matter of days took over two of her mammories and part of a lymph node. she started doing better and did so for a couple of weeks. Then one morning we saw that there had been an overnight change. The skin surrounding the 15" incision turned rock hard and we found the cancer had spread. We got painkillers for her to make it through the weekend and so my wife wouldn't have to have her put down on the day of her baby shower. On Monday we took her into our vet.
I have buried friends and family, none of it was as hard as taking Daisy in that day. I am again sitting in my office with tears in my eyes upon thinking about it.
Upon the injection there was a great feeling of relief. That was the moment that Daisy Finally caught that damn squirrel. She was no longer in pain and every bush had a pheasant and she never again had to look at me with the look of "why did you miss that duck"?
Daisy was my best friend for over a 3rd of my life and when I met my now wife, Daisy became her best friend too. I have had her cremated and intend on having her ashes put into some shot shells so she can come hunting again.


Thank you Daisy for all that you gave me.

[Gillfisher]

Sorry for you loss reel hooker we just went 3 cancer care for our 6 yr old Cocker Spaniel 3 blasts of radiation. Vet says the tumor is shrinking we go back in 3 months. I had to take our last dog in to be put down from cancers as well he was a 10yr old golden it was a tough couple of weeks.

Gillfisher

[CaberTosser]

I'm sorry to hear that D, its too bad she didn't get to meet your incoming little one. I'm sure with you guys her active life would have been the envy of many other dogs.

[scesfiremedic]

I have a 3 year old chocolate lab. I cannot fathom losing him!

In memory of Daisy, a great note: http://9gag.com/gag/4491148/why-do-d...ve-earth-first

[Zip]

Always hard when having to deal with the loss of a best friend...human or pet....So sorry to hear of your loss,wish i had something to say that could help ease that pain in your heart..
Zip

[omega50]

Hopefully Daisy would approve of this poem written by a hunter for his dog.

Chocolate Lab 'Walter Widgeon"

His eyes are looking up at me the way they always did

I must confess, I'll never guess the depth of love they hid

His place beside me worn and bare with dog hair on the rug

Whene'er I stirred, without a word, he'd follow with a shrug

And if I took my coat and hat or, God forbid, my gun

His tail would sway and seem to say: "Can I join in the fun?"



We'd go out to the pasture, through the creek and by the bog

Ever ready, always steady, most of all a hunting dog

When with his master in the field his eyes and ears alert

The hunt was on, his play face gone, his loins for battle girt

I'd never hear a whimper though the trail be long and rough

Like all his race, he loved the chase, his spirit leather tough



He ran afoul of barbwire twice, the kind you can't ignore

We sewed him up and filled his cup and off he went once more

The jump shoot was his favorite game, all day at heel he'd walk

(Although from heel he'd sometimes steal to lead me on the stalk)

Sometimes we'd share a duck blind where the two of us would hide

He'd search the sky and whine if I should miss birds on my side

And if perchance a lucky shot should bring a mallard down

Then you could bet without regret you'd bring it back to town

For on the ice or in a tree whatever was demanded

A mallard duck was out of luck no matter where he landed

I've seen him chase them through the woods on ground scent hours old

Then crawl beneath a rosehip wreath though never was he told



He did it for our honor and the spirit of the chase

And maybe for just one pat more (then he would lick my face!)

For years I've had him for a friend, I raised him from a pup

He'd follow me through hell to see a flock of ducks get up



But now its time to say goodbye we knew this day was near

He's passed his test and earned some rest, his job is over here

Tonight he's gone to where dogs go to wait their master's call

I'd give a deal to know if he'll be watching me this fall



Until we meet on some broad marsh that's in my memory

I'll see those eyes and realize that my old pal's with me.

[58thecat]

Not a dry eye here...sorry but you had a special time that will be cherished forever!

[Zip]

Originally Posted by scesfiremedic

I have a 3 year old chocolate lab. I cannot fathom losing him!

In memory of Daisy, a great note: http://9gag.com/gag/4491148/why-do-d...ve-earth-first

That is a great note..wise words from a young one at such a hard time. Made my eyes wet alittle reading it..good of you to find and post that story scesfiremedic..

[waterninja]

sorry to hear about your loss. very tough when a pet and constant companion passes. anyone who says pets don't become part of a family has never owned one.
love your idea about remains taking one more hunting trip.

[chauncy]

Sorry to hear about your Daisy. Loosing a pet is hard but a hunting buddy is harder. Sounds like you have great memories of her . So. Sorry RIP Daisy
;:

[reelhooker]

Thanks all, Daisy was with us for over ten years. it would have been cruel to put her through treatment. We are only able to be that cruel to humans.

Yes Caber, she had a great life. with much love.

As the fastest eating dog you can imagine it only took her about 15 seconds to get through her last meal, a medium rare 20oz rib eye, a cup of peanut butter and a cup of cubed old cheddar. lol
She ate just like her master.

[rugatika]

Tough thing to go through, all my condolences.

[Alberta Bigbore]

RIP Daisy

[CptnBlues63]

My condolences.

Sadly, I know exactly what you're going through as I had to say goodbye to my Pug dog on April 28th. Oddly enough, he was 10 years old too.

After hearing about it, a friend sent me this link:

http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm

[greylynx]

Reelhooker: Daisy is in heaven waiting for the day you will be with her.

Rest in Peace Daisy. The pain is gone.

[Sooner]

Condolences on the loss of a family member. In July of this year it will be the 1 yr anniversary since I put down my last GSP. She was 16 and 1 month and could have went longer but her body was fading fast. Heart, no way. My other Gsp went before her at 11 and fast due to cancer as well. I know how you feel. I still miss having her around but it will get better. The pull to replace her gets stronger by the month. My vet gave me a card with the "rainbow bridge" poem, Google it and have a look. Take care.

[marlin1]

sorry for your loss , mine's time is coming too and I'm just trying to make his Quality of life as good as I can .

[troutbug]

Very very sorry my friend, I know what its like losing your best friend.

My Bermese/Golden retriever mix has slowed down alot. She is 11 this year and has been in pretty good health wise. But, after playing she is slow getting up and is just not the same dog she was last year, its like the age slammed her all the sudden. Im dreading to go through losing another dog. I fell your pain and just think of the good times reelhooker, some people understand, some dont.

[Pixel Shooter]

RIP Daisy.... the poem, unknown author think sez it best

JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought aobut by
"just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man" or "just a woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog,"
just smile,
because they "just don't understand."

[theycallmeNoah]

I'm sorry for your loss.

It's been two years since I lost my Golden and I still miss her everyday.

[Dennis001]

Sorry for your lost

[hayseed]

Sorry to hear bud, remember all the good times....

[Sneeze]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z_JX41VuN4

No room in heaven for man if god lets Labs in.

And he does.

[iliketrout]

Sorry for your loss, that sounds like one heck of a last meal you made her.

[GunnerySgtJackson]

Sorry for your loss. I have been there and know how you feel.
Rest easy Daisy.......

[molly]

Boy, these threads are hard to get through...I feel your pain, as do many others on here. You did what you could for this good dawg, what a great life she had!

[Zuludog]

RIP Daisy.

[mudbug]

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss of Daisy She sounds like a wonderful family member that will be deeply missed, my thoughts and prayers are with you and for all those who will miss her.

[reelhooker]

Wow, It has been 3 years since this post. Not a day goes by where we don't remember Daisy.

Unfortunately a few days after Christmas this year we had to put Lily our second Lab down.

Lily went from fine over night to the next day the vet told us we might have as little as a week as Lily was dealing with renal failure. No one I know can believe that it was the dog that died of liver failure in my Scotch hoarding home lol. Unfortunately Lily did not make it another week. I brought her home from the vet and told my wife and Son. At 4 pm (3 hours later) she went into full seizures, among other things.
With the 2 hour wait for a vet the only thing left to do was tell the Wife and Kid to go upstairs and turn the TV on as load as they could. I did what I hope no one has to do and Lily is now a memory we will never forget.


Coming home to an empty house sure sucks.
So now I just need how to get the two year old to stop asking his mom when Lily is coming home from Heaven.

RH

[sgill808]

Sorry for your loss.