River November 2003 to November 2012

She was clearly my best friend for nine years. As we almost always hunted alone, we became a team that was unimaginable. She was heavy, had a crook in her tail, She was my dog. Nobody understood me better then her. And nobody understood her better then me. She would always be ready to go at 3am. Sitting on the truck seat as I was loading the gear, never wanting to be left behind. We would sit in the blind for hours on end and she would always eat half my lunch. There were many days we would hunt all day and not one word was said. Just a pat on her head when she would retrieve the birds.

She always knew what I was thinking, and could anticipate my next move. She would hunt Chuker, Quail, Grouse, Pheasant, and Waterfowl. She liked it all. In my 46 yrs. of waterfowl hunting the last nine seasons with her were my best for sure. She made me laugh, and she made me proud. I can't remember ever loosing a bird with her. Her nose was better then perfect.

I wanted to post this tribute as so many of you have got to know her from a far. I'm in hopes she is looking down on this post with Pride and knowing we had a good run.

My heart is still healing, and I'm not sure if I will be able to go hunting again. Hopefully my new IWS will win my heart as she did. We will see. I was blessed to have the perfect dog.

Enclosed are many pictures of her, most I am sure you have already seen. It has taken me nine weeks to be able to post this tribute. All of you with hunting companions know what Im going through.

Gary March

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I have so many more, but its time to say goodby old Girl, You were the best. We have hunted more in nine years then most have huntedin a lifetime.

Gary March

A dog's only fault is that they aren't with us long enough. Good dog's are never replaced, only remembered. I am sure you will remember River forever.

Thanks for posting those pictures.
------------------------------------------------
"When you're hunting, you have to be ethical. You have to come to terms with the impact you have on other creatures, but I'm afraid we're seeing a new generation of hunters who are disconnected from tradition. Half the time, they don't even know what they're shooting. They're so obsessed with the latest gun, the latest camo pattern, and they think you're some kind of sissy if you don't get your limit."
Grayson Chesser

Im very sorry for your loss.Thanks for sharing River with us Gary.Something truly special about hunting
with just your dog all the time.I know you wouldn't trade it for anything. Dont worry about not wanting to hunt .Time and your new pup will take care of that.


Best
Bob
.
.
.
.
A LOT OF MEMORIES IN A MAN'S STOOL........
Duck hunting without a dog is just shooting

Very sorry for your loss, Gary. Thanks for posting this.

I am sorry for your loss. I had not seen any of these pics but thanks for a look into both of your souls. You have been blessed and may you continue to be.

Gary,

So sorry to hear this. River will be missed by many, and although I doubt she will ever be replaced, I hope Storm does a fine job of complementing her in continuing your hunting career.

Best wishes

Chuck



"A little learning is a dangerous thing;
drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
and drinking largely sobers us again."

A. Pope

Sorry to hear it Gary. That is a beautiful tribute for a wonderful dog.

T

Gary, I am very sorry for your loss, it is truly a great tribute to a fine hunting partner, Brian

Gary,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I know that I've enjoyed the many stories and photos you've shared with us over the years of the hunts you and River had. The bond was always easy to see. Those photos are a great tribute.

Scott

---

The perils of duck hunting are great- especially for the duck. ~Walter Cronkite

Gary,

I'm sorry to hear of River's passing. I really enjoyed seeing her in Wildfowler magazine and watching on this site. She was a great dog. Thankfully you have awesome pictures and memories to remember her by. God bless.

I too am sorry for your loss, Looks like your fine dog had a GREAT life hunting with you and please don't give up hunting ,it would not be fair to your new hunting buddy, scott

  Gary, Sorry for your loss. I was wondering what had happened, I was missing your pics and the drive River displayed in them. She was a beauty. John

Sorry for your loss Gary.

You have more than the photos to remind you of what a fantastic overall companion River was. Not all dogs tune in and work with us. Some work with us for a while and then decide it's time to work for themselves. If a man or woman is lucky, they will have a once in a lifetime dog. Many a man has taken a break from hunting because of the loss of their once in a lifetime dog. When you bring the next one into the blind, so long as you put the same effort in training as you did with River, it will all fall in place. We learn more with each dog...we make mistakes training them and learn from that and hopefully by not making the same mistake twice, we bring up the next dog of a lifetime...Good Luck with your new dog and I'm certain with time, the dog will be as photo worthy and lunch worthy as River..

-Ron
SHE THINKS MY DUCKBOATS ARE SEXY

Great pictures Gary and a very nice tribute to River. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

Best of luck with the IWS. I was down after losing my lab one November. But starting with a pup the following spring gave me motivation.

Gary, of all the great pics and stories on this site, the ones you have shared over the seasons of yourself and river were always my favorites. Very sorry to hear of your loss, and hoping to see and read of your adventures with the new pup.

What a nice tribute Gary. You are correct, we all followed her throughout her career as your buddy. Sorry for your loss - they do become a part of you. River was quite young still - had she gotten sick? I hope you can develop your new pup into a good companion just like you did with River. We can never replace them but we can move forward. If I think on it for a bit, I can remember bits and pieces of the 12 dogs that have graced my life so far - I haven't forgotten any of them but I do move forward to the next one when the time comes and I hope you can too.


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

Gary, I am so sorry to hear of Rivers passing. I could tell from your posts how close you two were.

_____________________________________________
http://www.hollandpointmarine.net

Gary,

I remember when Mark & Greg came back from hunting with you and raved about the new pup you had just gotten. Thank you for the many pictures of your hunts with River. That was a water-dog who had a good life and you will miss her.


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.

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

Very nice tribute. Been there before myself and dreading the day I have to go through it again.

It's amazing how they capture our hearts.
Your pictures say it all!! John

So sorry to hear of your loss Gary.

I was excited to see that you had a new post until I realized what it was about.

Most of us have been down your road.

I too am coming off of a relationship with a "Dog of a lifetime" She will probably never be equalled.

It's won't be easy, but give your new dog a fair chance. He may not be River, but I promise he'll grow on ya!

And I know I am not the only one around these parts, who is anxiously awaiting to see pictures of you and Storm.

All the best my friend,

Jon

"Each decoy you touch holds memories of, past, present and God Willing, future hunts. The places, birds, men, boats, dogs and days you spent doing what you so dearly love and enjoy"- Vince Pagliaorli

Gary - I am truly sorry for your loss. For the kind of wounds you have endured my friend, only God can heal. As far as getting past it, unfortunately, we never truly do. We always need to remember. I still carry Callie's collar in my shell bag with me at all times when I duck hunt. I'll never forget her nor, do I want to. I think of her everytime I hunt.

As far as hunting again, strange as it sounds, River would want you to. As a matter of fact, she'd be dissappointed if you quit. She would never want you to stop. She'd want you to take that IWS pup of yours and hunt it like you did River. She'd want you to give it every opportunity to excel like she did from the opportunities you gave her.

You have many more great memories to be made my friend. You will be in my prayers brother. Godspeed! Pat
Pat Gregory
Illinois Waterfowler and Decoy Maker
Duckboat Page Member since 2006

"And when a flock of bluebills, pitching pondward, tears the dark silk of heaven in one long rending nose-dive, you catch your breath at the sound, but there is nothing to see except stars. This same performance, in daytime, would have to be looked at, shot at, missed, and then hurriedly fitted with an alibi."
Aldo Leopold in Sand County Almanac

Gary, Sorry to hear about River, a good dog is hard to replace and a great dog even harder, Just remember time heals all wounds and I'm sure in time you will grow with the new pup and the two of you will become one minded.

Best

Fred

A very appropriate tribute to an outstanding partner.
She is definitely looking down approvingly, with that IWS grin.
I have always loved the way she perched upon the dodger in a manner that confirmed that boat was hers.

So sorry for your loss Gary.

Best - Paul

Gary - your words and images have done River proud.
Thank you for sharing them with us.
Clearly, you helped River to become a great retriever.
I, for one, like the pup's chances with your help.
Here's hoping that you have many bright days ahead.
You deserve nothing less.
sarge