A Terrible Hunting Season Takes a Good Turn

[sns2]

Well fellas my hunting season up until yesterday sucked. Some of you may recall I'm a Lab guy. In my opinion, and others who compete at a high level, I have a pretty special dog. He was passing Master Tests at two, and I'm a rookie Lab trainer.

My season came to a screeching halt on opening weekend when he came up lame after our first hunt. This had happened sporadically in the last year, so off to the vets we go. Xrays showed a torn ACL in his rear leg which requires TPLO surgery. Not feeling comfortable with my corner vet, I asked for a referral to a surgeon who specializes in this procedure.

He examined my best pal, and felt the tear was partial, and that he was a good candidate for a newer procedure called platelet rich plasma therapy which if successful would avoid him going under the knife. We scheduled it, and had it done. Two weeks later... no improvement. Still a 3 legged dog. Surgery was then scheduled which is very similar to a knee replacement in that they use a circular saw to cut off the top of the tibia, rotate it to level the angle of the knee joint, and then bracing it with a 4" metal plate held on with 5 screws. Here's a pic of what was done...

$5100 later we began a lengthy rehab.

This torpedoed hunting season, as my son had one week previous purchased a GSP pup. So I have a gimped dog that requires vigilant care, and a puppy. Heavy sigh.

Anyhow, my 18 yr old drew an antlerless moose tag that I did not want to let go to waste, so we packed both dogs in the back of the Ridgeline and headed out yesterday morning.

The Good Lord smiled on us, as we had two nice calves literally trot right up to us at sunrise. One well placed headshot from my son's 7 Rem Mag dropped the moose right at the gate into the quarter.

Skinned her yesterday, cutting myself pretty dang good in the process.

Got up early this morning with my canine alarm clocks, cleared the island, and went to work. Giving thanks to above for the easiest moose in history.

I needed a win. Without going into boring details, I've had a lot of kicks to the groin in the last couple years.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Next year will be better. But for today, I'm very thankful.

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[slopeshunter]

Ouch. I feel for ya. Congrats on the moose, will be great eating. Our poor pups always look so sad when they’re wearing the cone.

[Bushrat]

That meat looks just prime, would be tempted to eat it just as it is right there!

[58thecat]

Dam sorry to hear about your pup, hope the healing process is a success and you two are back at it!

Congrats on the moose well done always nice to have family hunting together!

The meat will be enjoyed for sure.

Ohh and we have had a few injuries over the years that required the dreaded cone and the plastic wore on my dogs hide so the wife made one out of a stiff like fabric to the same dimensions and the problem was solved, maybe google it, just a thought, worked like a charm.


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[Savage Bacon]

Congrats to your boy. Hopefully your pooch has a speedy recovery. That's quite the chunk of metal.

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[Dick284]

You’re too good of a guy Shane, to have total crap for Karma.
This shows you that.
Well done friend, well done.

[DiabeticKripple]

Great post.

When life kicks ya in the nuts, keep on going and you’ll be rewarded

[marky_mark]

Glad to see your luck turned around

[Smoky buck]

Congrats to your boy and just keep moving forward

[JD848]

sns2 your a very fine person , sometimes crap happens in our lives because someone knows were up for the job.

Hope your lab gets better fast and the moose with your son was very good to see. YES when life kicks us hard there's a reward within you that is coming.

Always all the best.
JD

[KazIce]

Thanks for sharing. Hope the dog gets better soon and that your hand heals up; that looks tough. The moose looks amazing, well done!


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[ganderblaster]

Congrats on the moose! You are one of the good guys. Glad you are smiling again.

[bagwan]

That's a lot of metal but animals heal, Busted my arm at wrist end of July. Bone is healed but ligament damage may need help. Keep fighting the good fight.

[270person]

Sometimes life throws us challenging times Shane. We both know that well. I strongly believe we are judged on how we overcome them. Good people always come through and you are one of those 100%.

Happy for you and your son. Hope doggo pulls through ok.

[Jim Blake]

Glad things turned around for you and congratulations on the tasty moose!!

[Mb-MBR]

Damn Shane...........not sure where to start, sorry or congrats. Just some rapids in the river of life..........the moose will be tender though, finger will heal and so will dog, so all in all not to bad.

[Smokinyotes]

Sorry to hear about your dog Shane. Hopefully everything turns out good and your dog has many more years hunting. Nice calf moose like that should be great eating.

[Red Bullets]

Sorry to read about your pup's leg. Tell your pup "Heal boy" from me. Sorry to read about your hand and you getting kicked in the groin too. I hope you both heal quickly. I'm thinking moderating must water off your back. And you need to wear a cup.


Congrats to your son on his moose. That moose is going to be yummy.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

Sorry to read about your pup's leg. Tell your pup "Heal boy" from me. Sorry to read about your hand and you getting kicked in the groin too. I hope you both heal quickly. I'm thinking moderating must water off your back. And you need to wear a cup.


Congrats to your son on his moose. That moose is going to be yummy.

Red, after the last couple years of the swift kicks, my nuts are hamburger, so no cup required

[teledogs]

Glad things turned around and congratulations on the moose. It's the kicks that give us character! Hope the pup heals fast and strong!

[bessiedog]

Brighter days ahead buddy!!

Keep up the goofy knife play n you’ll be able to teach fractions wit yer digits…

[catnthehat]

Nice turnaround too the dreary season, sorry about your pup!
Louie slipped a disc early in his career and we almost lost him,, but he recovered and at 12 years old he still is hitting the uplands with us!
I'm sure your pup will be right as rain come next fall.
Cat

[Howard Hutchinson]

Good luck with the pupper. Hopefully its a quick recovery. Congrats on the wonderful animal. Going to be superb.

[Greatwest]

Congrats on turning your season around. One old boy told myself and my brother once when we shot a calf moose. “You boys may as well take that moose meat to the dump it will be no good it will be just like eating mashed potatoes” So if you want I can pick up that meat and dispose of it for you. That meat looks amazing SNS2 enjoy the fine table fair and keep up on re-hab with the lab he will be back chasing birds with you in no time.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Congrats on your son’s moose!

Best wishes for your pup’s healing journey.

Oh, and your finger too.

[OL_JR]

Congrats sounds like some well deserved fine dining.

[urban rednek]

Congrats to your son! That'll be good eating.
Hope you and the dog both heal up fast.
And
Good job on not getting the Ridgeline stuck.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by urban rednek

Congrats to your son! That'll be good eating.
Hope you and the dog both heal up fast.
And
Good job on not getting the Ridgeline stuck.

The mighty Ridgeline will never get stuck. Getting stuck is for sissy vehicles like white Subarus!

[58thecat]

Hey if the wife needed the jacked up black dodge and left the grocery getter and ya gotta get out then ridge line it is.
Just as long as their is a spare set of pool noodles your good to go, leave in the dark come home in the dark, no one would know!


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[Lefty-Canuck]

Dang man! I feel for you. Happy you were able to get a tag filled and maybe put a smile on your face.

LC