It's a sad day for me. I had to put my lab Max down today. We had our last Pheasant hunt together on Sunday and we got our limit before noon. He seemed a little tired Monday and Tuesday,but nothing out of the ordinary. Last night, he seemed like he was very sick. He wouldn't eat and barely drank any water. This morning he was in a bad way and could barely walk, so I took him to the vet. She said that he was bleeding internally and was not going to make it. He was 9 years old and she said that labs, especially ones his age develop tumors on their kidneys or liver, then when the dog exerts itself, the tumor will rupture, causing internal bleeding. It was very hard to do, but I could not stand to see him in such distress. I asked her if I had taken him in right away yesterday, if he would have been able to be saved and she said no. I hope that she was right and not just trying to make me feel better. Here is the last picture taken of him on Saturday during out last duck hunt.

Sorry. That hurts.
Sounds like you have some great memories.

This may sound biased, but he was the best dog that I've ever hunted behind. I do have alot of good memories with him. In the 8 seasons that I got to hunt with him, I can count on one hand, how many birds that were lost. He may well be my dog of a lifetime. It will be hard to find another one as good as he was.

I'm very sorry about your loss. Remember the good times. Carry a picture of Max in your blind bag, oddly, it helps.

Sorry for your lose. It's never easy.

Take care,

Ed L.

Take care,

Ed L.
East Moline,
Illinois
_________________________________________
If I'd had asked what they wanted they would have said faster horses" - Henry Ford

So sorry to hear of your loss, we put one of our dogs down earlier this year.

It is the toughest part of having them.

John

Been there and it always sucks. Sorry for your loss, sounds like he had a very good run with you. Now he can join the rest of mine waiting at the rainbow bridge.
"There is nothing- absolutly nothing half as much worth doing as messing about in boats or with boats. In or out of 'em, doesn't matter." Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham

Shiny side up,
Wicker T, Booker T & Charlie Brown

Sorry for your loss man. It's nice that you were able to hunt with him only a couple of days ago. The best way to get over it is to get a pup as soon as you are ready....get a good one. It worked for me.
http://www.anglinoutdoors.com

Boyd, very sorry for your loss. Their lives are far too short. Reminds me to give my lab Sam an extra pat on the head, scratch behind the ear, and belly rub tonite. RIP Max.

Boyd Im sorry for you loss and Max could,nt have had a better owner, you have done the right thing by him and you would,nt see him in pain that says a lot for you buddy and my heart goes out to you.
take care
Eddie.
keep your powder dry & straight shooting
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working_decoys@yahoo.co.uk

Boyd so sorry to hear that

Boyd,

Sorry for your loss.......

Thanks to everyone for your condolences.
I only wish that dogs could live as long as people do, so we don't have to go through this heartache more than once.

Boyd,

I am sorry to learn of the loss of your friend. Aspen and I will dedicate the first bird on Saturday to the memory of Max.

My best,

Don

Sorry for your loss Boyd. Always tough.

My condolences Boyd.

Lost a pup to liver cancer two years ago..really hurts..sorry for your loss!!
Chesapeake Bay Maryland

Boyd,Im sorry for your loss,hang in there, Brian Rippelmeyer

Lost my GSP to the same condition and you have my condolances. No matter what the cause or the age, we lose them way too soon.

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson

Boyd,

You did the right thing for Max. Sorry you didn't have more years with him. What's your fondest hunting memory with him.

Larry

Big city turn me loose and set me free.

Hi Larry,
I would have to say that my fondest memory as far as hunting goes, was about five years ago. I had been out Pheasant hunting and it was slow going. I decided to stalk a creek that I knew held ducks, once the marsh started to freeze up. I would sneak up to the bank in the tall grass and peer up and down the creek using binoculars, then move down the bank another 100 yds. and do it all over again. I had started my 3rd sneak to the creek bank, when Max started sniffing the air in a funny way. He could smell something, but he didn't act like it was a Pheasant. We got to within 5 yards of the bank when a big Drake Mallard took to the air. I shot him with a load of #3 steel from the improved barrel of my O/U Citori. At the report, a second greenhead took to the air and I dumped him with a load of 3 shot from my modified barrel. Max had marked the fist bird well, but did not see the second one. The birds were about 35 yards apart when they hit the ground. Although the creek was only about 6 feet wide, it was unfortunately 6 feet deep as well! Due to the tall grass, it was not possible to see the ducks laying on the other side, but Max had to trouble finding the first drake. He brought it back to hand, then I lined him up for another retrieve telling him that there was another "dead bird". He looked up at me, with a raised brow and I knew that he knew what I had said. I gave him the "back" command and he found the second bird in no time. It was his first double blind retrieve on real birds, in a real hunting situation and I was thrilled! When we got home, I took a picture of Max with his two drakes for posterity.

Always sad to loose a friend,especially your dog,and one so young.You have good memories,to warm you when you feel blue.There will be other dogs in your life.Yhey may not be better,but could be everything you need.

Ciao
Joe O

Boyd,

My condollences are with you in your time of loss...the worst part of loving someone/something is sooner or later you have to let it go, these dogs are truly a man's best friend...we give our hearts to them and in return they give us theirs, and want nothing more than that. Time heals all wounds...rest in peace tonight Max.