I am sitting here at work typing this because in about 45 minutes, I am taking Colby to the vet to be put down. I feel guilty and selfish that we didn't do this about a year ago, but damn......His hips are gone and he can barely stand up and just thumps down when he gets the series of circles small enough to where he wants to lay down. Colby has brought the family great joy these last 14 years. My grandson has never known a moment without him and he gave my wife security when I was gone. Colby was (is) a gentle giant. He topped out at about 125lbs in his prime and could swim about as fast as I could paddle my touring kayak..he was duck and goose crazy and would never hold after a shot....I never saw another dog beat him to a downed bird either. The only time he would deliver a bird to hand was when we were hunting deep water in the BB2 and that was because he had nowhere near to make a pile of birds. Colby was known as the "Loogeymeister" around here for quite a while due to one of the funniest things I have witnessed at 4:00 am one hunting morning and he also humped a hunting partner to the bottom of the lake while we were setting dekes..had to be there to appreciate that one..he never barked at anyone but he growled at Pete McMiller till Pete gave him some beer. My eyes are getting a bit wet now..so I better finish before I start bawling in front of everyone here at work...you're a good boy Colby...good boy....

Sorry for your loss. It's tough to lose a four legged friend.
Colby has been like a mascot on this forum as long as I can remember. Liked by many of us who never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, probably because we pictured him through your stories and descriptions as being a lot like us. A gentle giant who was duck and goose crazy is a good way to be remembered.
I still chuckle and gag when I think about the "Loogeymeister" incident. When you can you should put it in this thread for the new guys and so it is saved, at least for some time to come.

Take care,
Tim
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"Ah Nuts!"

http://snipehunterfishart.blogspot.com/

Lee,

I know what you are feeling right now. My heart goes out to you. My heart goes out to your wife as well. I'm sure she will miss Colby more than she will admit ( if she is anything like my wife).

Times like this give us pause to reflect and remember all that we are blessed with. Hold these memories dear to your heart, always remembering that it is memories like these, that makes life worth living.

---

Take care, Huntindave McCann SHELL ROCK IA. ,,,,,, "As sailors grow older, the wiser ones move to smaller boats." Thomas Firth Jones, Multihull Voyaging

Lee

One of the earliest memories I have of this site is Colby drinking beer from a bottle with you out in your Black Brant. I can't even begin to imagine how many great memories you have of him. He lived a full and happy life. You provided all he needed and more, love and attention. As I sit here with a puppy nearby, Cassie who is starting to gray, and read your memorial there is the stark realization that we lose our companions far too fast.

My thoughts are with you tonight.

Eric Patterson

Lee,

It's one of the toughest choices you'll ever make and it has come to a lot of us over there years. It was so tough for me that I just couldn't face it and like you tried keeping my lab Raven with me as long as I could. It was the same thing....her hips went out and yet for over a month I would take her out and hold her just so she could go. It finally came to the point that the pain was so bad she really had a hard time even when sleeping.

There was no way I could put her down, so I had a friend do it after I had dug her grave. She is buried here on the place and I think about her and all the fun we had hunting together in the 13 years she was with me.

There are no words that will help....all I can say is that many of us have gone through what you are going through and it is damn tough to have to handle. All your friends are here with you in this time of pain.

Dave

that can possibly ease the pain you are feeling at this point but know that there isn't a dog person here that isn't thinking of you, your family and Colby tonight.

So many of us met on this site when our dogs were young, in their prime, and on top of their game. The people here became friends, in large part, because of the stories that were exchanged that included those same dogs. Sadly as the site aged so did those wonderful friends of ours whose lifespan isn't the same as those hunters whom they owned and we find ourselves faced with the reality that many of those most excellent friends are now leaving us.

Far too few of us ever had the opportunity to actually meet Colby but we all had the pleasure of "knowing" him through the stories that included him and as a result he was a member of this site just as surely as were those who had the pleasure to meet him, the ones who figured in the stories about him and those that had the pleasure of reading those stories and we'll all miss him as a result.

Our thoughts are with you buddy.

Best,

Steve, Buddy and Mike

Lee,my deepest sympathy for you and your family.The loss of any family member is a sad time,but a dog that only gives devotion ,companionship and love is very special,and dearly missed.Remember the times when he brought a smile to your face,and joy to your heart.

Ciao
Joe O

Lee,

Very sorry to hear about Colby. It's amazing how they become such a big part of the family. My family's thoughts and prayers are with you during this tough time.

Ryan

...."Remorse? Every day of my life I experience remorse over something. Have you ever taken a faithful old dog to a veterinary to be put to death? That remorse lives with you for the rest of your life."

- James Michener in Chesapeake

Lee,

Fortunately for all of us, the good memories with those faithful old dogs lives with us as well. Always a tough decision to make, even when you know it's the right one. Bet that grandson of yours could stand being around a pup.





MLBob

"Art is like an ill-trained Labrador retriever that drags you out into traffic." (Annie Dillard)

....Here's to Joe Wooster, who made me realize that the useful could and should be beautiful; and who firmly believed that decoy carvers were the last free men in America.

Music is still important. Art is more important than ever. It does not have to be your livelihood to be a powerful part of your life.

https://www.facebook.com/KOOIdecoy?ref=hl

My most hearfelt sympathies to you Lee. As I type this my 12 week old yellow lab male is sleeping with his head on my foot. It makes me sad to know that some day I will probably be dealing with the same grief you are suffering from right now. I rue the day...

Lee, my deeps sympathy goes out to you and yours, losing a dog is losing a love one, a friend, a brother, and son all wrapped into one.

I can remember when I got Brooks, I told my wife, he is a hunting dog, when he cann't hunt, he is gone, so don't get attached. After all, I grew up on a farm, never had a dog, so the steers were my pets, and every one of them went to market. What a stupid comment that was, Brooks is now such a huge part of our family, I cann't imagine him not around. I often tell my son Michael to get his "brother" and lets go.

Lee, my heart goes out to you.

Andrew

Lee,

I didn't really understand how much it hurts to lose your best friend/ hunting partner until I lost Kimo at 12 1/2. People would say 12 and a half is a good long life for a dog but that didn't ease the pain. God's biggest mystery to me is why he gives us such wonderful companions for such a short time.

I wish I could have seen Colby, he sounds like a real character and one of the best waterfowl dogs ever.

Lee,

Sorry to hear it, loss of a good dog is an awful thing. There have been some great Colby stories over the years that I will remember.

I wish you the best,

TOd

Lee I'm very sorry to hear about your old guy. I remember a lot of good stories over the years abotu him even though I never met him. The only thing I can say is to remember the good times with him. Take care and hang in there. HHG

Lee, I'm sorry to hear this.

My family's thoughts are with you.

---

My hunting rig "Marmaduke"

Damn.
Had to do that myself with my first gundog only a few years ago.
Why is it that such a "right" decision has to feel so bad...?

My sincere condolences Lee.

Many moons ago you welcomed in an unknown little fur ball into your home, you gave him a name and before long you couldn’t imagine what life was like without him. You yelled at him when he chewed your shoes but played tug-o-war with him and a pair of your old socks. He was your best friend and, at the most inopportune times your worst enemy. He knew when you’d had a bad day and, could humble you when you were at your highest. His affection for you was genuine and all he asked in return was a good scratch right above the tail and powdered doughnut from time to time. He toughed out some of the worst that Mother Nature could throw at you and lied around all summer thinking of the fall to come. So it never is easy and shouldn’t be to say good bye. Sorry for the loss, I’ll have to look at the Goldeneye decoy to see if Colby left a signature hair somewhere.

Lee,

It's easy to hurt right now, but remember that you hurt for yourself, not for Colby. The greater hurt would have been to continue Colby's pain, and a good dog - a good friend - doesn't deserve that. The memories will bring tears, but after a time, they will bring a knowing smile.

You were given a gift that was only yours for a short time. It would say more about you and Colby if you thought any less of it.

Our condolences, Lee.

Rick & Laura Pierce

Lee ,

I am so sorry to hear about your families lose . I have 2 labs 1 is 2.5 , 2nd is 15.5 and getting real slow so i will not know exactly what you are going through . Always keep the good times in your mind through this hard time .


Best
Dave M

Sorry Lee.
He was a great dog.
I always smile when I think of your early stories of Colby hiding his ducks, and the empty shells you threw to encourage him to fetch, in a pile in the cattails.
____________________
"Pablo"
East Bernard, TX

Wow, Lee. Along with everyone else here, I am hurting with you too. Having just been through this on June 8 with my 12 year old yellow lab Brinkley, I know exactly what you are going through. For some time, it will be a lot of tears and a lot of quiet, personal reflections. I wouldn't have it any other way and I'm sure that you wouldn't either. It is supposed to hurt.

Damn Lee...


Heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
_______________________________________________________

HRCH UH Crosspeake's Colonel Cooper

Brandywine's Big Nose Kate


O.P.E. Retrievers

Outdoor Product Exchange

I am sorry to hear about Colby. My time is coming too, and even though I know I should get started on the next dog, I can't bring myself to steal Remi's thunder. My partner and I both have decade dogs, and one of our most often used sayings to each other now is "Old dogs spoil the hunter". I am pretty sure that doesn't help things. My thoughts go out to you and your family.
_________________________________

"Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck, leads the flock to fly and follow.”

Aaaaah Lee, I'm so sorry to hear this. It's one of the toughest decisions we make about those who have stood by our side through stormy days and stary nights. My eyes are wet and my heart aches thinking about you and your buddy.

Prost! Colby

Pete


Pete


MOLON LABE [mo 'lon la 've]

Technology has it's place, hunting isn't it.

Life's a blink, never have to say ....... "I should have"!

"That human optimism & goodness that we put our faith in, is in no more danger than the stars in the jaws of the clouds." .................Victor Hugo