The deal with the devil
 

Everyone of us, or at least the great majority has bought a hunting dog as a puppy no? Well me to, and my friends every time I do the devil smiles a little. I will spend countless hours bonding with that dog in training. We will spend thousands of hours afield. Just to have that bond cut short by inevitability. It sucks man, but ive had the unique experience of holding both my last 2 dogs as they passed and I felt a sense of closure from them. I have each one cremated and i carry the ashes of each on my person in my vest. Call me superstitious, whatever. So, I submit to you, every dog we get is a deal with the devil.


- reminiscing on the death of my first GSP that I had 13-25. Talk about an impact on life

Same here Dylan, held the last one, as she slipped away, I have two urns in the house with ashes of Mattie And Seigh Jolie will be next, Sad to say sooner than later, Their ashes will be put with mine, and spread here on the mountain, hopefully to roam the woods together again, Gary

Loss
 

I understand your statement about doing a deal with the devil. Every time one dies, or ' you lose one ' a little piece of yourself dies right along with them, and unfortunately that is a little piece that you never get back. Each one is an individual that cannot be replaced no matter how much of yourself you poor into them. Every time you go afield with one of your dogs you should be thankful, because we don't know what the next day will bring.

After holding 16 dogs as they passed, and with their ashes in my library, I am reminded that we give them our hearts and lives for a portion of our lives, but they give all of theirs to us.