Farewell to Ghillie

[Mike of the Mountain]

Tomorrow we say goodbye to our oldest Setter, Ghillie Rutledge. Ghillie came from the only litter from the GHR Consortium which was Ken Alexander and John Taylor. Ghillie was a gentle spirit, a fantastic house dog and was a heck of a bird dog. He checked all of the boxes for us. He turned 13 back in October. He has been going downhill for some time. Nothing drastic, just age related slowing down. Lately he has been having issues standing up/lying down, stumbling, falling over, tremors. We decided it's time to say goodbye and Monday morning Sam got an appointment at the vet to put him down. It's the end of an era. The new Setter we just picked up in Wisconsin last week should help ease the loss. Farewell Ghillie, you were a joy to have in our family.

Ghillie is the big white Setter. I'll get more pics up later.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Here he is with Callie

[6pt-Sika]

Sorry for this even though it’s part of the cycle it makes it no easier . 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Andy]

I'm very sorry Mike. I give you credit for recognizing what is right for him. Having dominion over an animal is a blessing in times like these when we can choose to do the right thing. Give sympathies to Tad, Sam and the family.

[Stan Hoover]

I hear your pain Mike,

I just mentioned to my daughter last evening that Brittany, my first hunting dog will most likely not be with us for more than a year. She turned 13 in April and has no adverse health conditions yet but her hearing is gone and she is really slowing down.

After the post by Mike Franzen regarding his daughters beautiful portraits, it got me thinking.

These dogs hold a special spot in our hearts, and then we lose them

[Dean Romig]

The pain will ease over time but the sweet memories will last forever…(words of experience.)





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[Jim DiSpagno]

Mike and Sam, please accept our sincere condolences and know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Having hon through this at least 18 times myself, I fell your pain. He'll be waiting for you on the other side ������

[Mills]

Sorry to hear this sad news . . . .

[Double Lab]

It is said that the pain we feel when we lose a dog is the price we pay for their love and devotion. (Or something along those lines). Ghillie had a great life doing what he loved doing with people who loved doing it with him.

[Timothy Salgado]

Mike,
Sorry to hear this, I met Ghillie several years ago when you hooked me up with a Lefever one of your friends had for sale. I made the run up from Allentown for the gun with my Labrador Piper, who was in the midst of her course of chemo treatments at the time. It's never easy, cherish all the good memories.
We'll keep you guys in our prayers.
Take care
Tim