This is my dd Adonis vom Goldentriangle aka Dobby
Most of these pictures where under 1 1/2. I don't take many photos because I was trying to get him all set and didn't want him to slip up. This year should be good.

Think she was asking why I didn't shoot something for her to retrieve or was wanting a bite of my breakfast. Can't remember which but those are the most common options for that look.

In chronological order, from 1985 to present. I have been blessed with wonderful companions.


Brook, the springer, teaching Gyr what how to retrieve geese on the Chester River, Maryland. On her first hunt, he retrieved the 1st goose of the day and she beat him to the remaining 5 and retrieved them to hand like she had been doing it for years.




Blade in Alberta showing off his hard work. As I remember this was his first day of prairie goose hunting and he was the only retriever. He slept well that night.




Ruger, the low key work horse, in eastern Washington.



Ruger teaching Kip the ropes in Saskatchewan.



Kip in his prime on the Columbia.


Kip getting it done on Puget Sound. He retrieved birds from Manitoba to the Pacific Ocean. But he loved nothing more than riding in my Bankes and retrieving scaup.



Brant on duty on the Columbia. 95 pounds of lovable goofy dog. Afraid of linoleum floors but never shied away from any retrieve, loved to body slam crippled geese or swim down crippled divers for as long as it would take.



Jake the machine. Home after a trip to eastern Washington. At 19 months, he literally can not get enough retrieves. He had days this season in Alberta and Washington when he retrieved over 30 birds and wanted to keep going after the limits had been reached.




The almost the same progression for cuteness sake.

Ruger and Blade



Ruger and Kip.


Kip and Brant



Brant and Jake.

You only get a few really good ones in your life, and I lost a good one a couple weeks ago.

This probably won't be a very eloquent posting. It's been tough losing my best friend Brooke unexpectedly. She had a wonderful day retrieving 12 Teal without skipping a beat. Even a couple that were pushing the 80 yard mark.

I always said I don't even really think she likes picking up ducks, but she did it with great zeal because she knew it made me happy. Although she's retrieved hundreds if not thousands in her life. She was very good at it. She was just as home on the couch as in the marsh.

She had a full life even though it was shorter than I expected. She spent every day with me in my workshop or taking walks, or out hunting. She was always by my side. We were inseparable. I am not very good without a black Labrador tagging along.

I just wanted to share a few pictures of my precious girl.

I deal with this type of loss all the time for other people, in making my Decoy urns. It's because of how I feel right now that I know how much they mean to each my customers.

She will eventually find her way into a rig of Greenwing teal and I will cherish and hunt over.










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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

So sorry for your loss Jode. Sounds like she was one hell of a friend and companion.

---

Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

Father and son. 9 weeks old today.

I am so sorry to hear about Brooke's passing Jode. It sucks and I wish I could say something that would make people feel better. She was a beauty and sounds like she was a great companion. Love the puppy shot.

Dani

 

Sorry to see this Jode.

I lost my first water dog back in 2018. Jake was a far better retriever than I was a trainer and absolutely loved pointing woodcock.


Some of Jake's last few retrieves were Bull Cans and Wigeon.




I just finished duck season with this youngster who will be 4 this month. He has earned the reputation that seemingly all Chocolate labs have and he is the most hardheaded dog I've ever had. His drive to retrieve is absolutely incredible and he won't quit until the point of total exhaustion. Cooper is steadier and more comfortable in a pirogue than most folks I know.

Thanks Carl, Dani and Paul. I'm still trying to adjust to life without a dog. There will be another when the time is right.


Here she is saving time on a teal double! Man I miss those brown eyes.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Jode,
What a champ, 2 at once! Wow!
My sincere condolences on your loss. Even though my dogs haven't been hunting dogs, I know how awful it is Lose your best buddy.





Oxford, CT

Jode, your precious girl will always be with you. Thank you for those pictures you shared of Brooke. I feel your pain and know exactly what you are going through. However, it will be sweet when she does find her way to that rig of Greenwing teal.
Allan

John, you had a great partner for many years. I am so sorry to hear of her passing.
Allan

Thank you Mike, she sure was. I appreciate your condolences Al. Thanks

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Jode, sorry to hear of your loss. Its hard and emotionally devastating especially when its sudden. I can't imagine your shock to hunt her one day and loose her the next. I know you have lots of special memories and she lived a dog's best life with you. Keep those memories and cherish them.

I am going through the loss of a dog too, my 11.5 year old lab, Brant in above pictures), is slowly failing from degenerative laryngeal paralysis. He is at the point when he can't breathe through his mouth, only his nose. So all exercise or excitement is off limits. Its hard to schedule the final appointment while he is still wagging his tail and looking at you like "lets go do something!" But I know its better for him to go this way instead of collapsing and being unable to breathe. He has always trusted me to take care of him, now one final responsibility.

I hope your heart break is repaired with puppy breath soon.

Brad, You sure hit the nail on the head. I appreciate your thoughtful sentiments. I am sorry to hear what you are going through. Just try to enjoy every day that you can with your buddy. They do put so much faith,trust, and love in us. It is hard to make that final decision, as you have stated. I'm wishing you lots of good days before that time comes.

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Thank you for the condolences Al, I appreciate it. It was hard to be motivated to hunt this year without her.

Jode and Brad, I'm very sorry to read the sad news about your hunting partners. Reading your posts brings a tear to my eye. You have good memories with Brooke and Brant and I hope that someday you can make new memories.

Brad, I am sorry to hear that Brant's day is coming. I hated making those appointments but I knew they were for the best. Sudden deaths worry me more though. And I say this while Belle lays in my lap not feeling good because she ate something mildly toxic. According to my vet it just causes gastric distress. It wasn't in her system long and she threw up her dinner shortly after eating...twice....but I can't not worry about her.

I am sorry to hear about Brant's decline.

Agree with ? You only get a few really good ones in your life?!

A few from last season. Took a trip to Arkansas the end of January. What a great time.

Jode , I feel your pain. I just lost my 14 year old lab a week ago Tuesday. Holly was a rescue we got at 3 years old. She ended up being a fairly good retriever but a fantastic pet, It's hard to say goodbye. Fist time in 30 years I haven't had a lab in the house. .

Losing a dog is hard, I've been there as well. That's why its so important to enjoy the time you do have with them.

I'm going to try and brighten everyone's day with something a little different. I teach at a high school and my boy has been raised on the sidelines of high school sports since he was 8 weeks old.





He retrieves foul softballs in the spring time so the girls can rest their legs.




And this fall he got to entertain close to 10,000 fans at our big crosstown rivalry football game. In 16 years of attending these games it was the first time both sides of the stadium were cheering at the same time. If you search "Shadow Kickoff Video" on YouTube there's a little 3 minute story I put together about him when we did this back in October.
















.........................................
Recovering Engineer, Standup Philosopher, Aspiring Pirate, Cooking Enthusiast
"Life is a garden.... Dig It!"

Love it Charles!