WHEN THE TIME COMES

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

There comes a time in every lab owners life, when you have to make a decision. When you load her or him in the truck for that last ride. Unfortunately not to their favorite cover to hunt, but to the "bridge" The Rainbow Bridge, where all dogs go and once across, all pain and sickness disappears. They play in a place with no pain, and no old age. They wait for there master to cross some times in the future, when both will be united as in the previous life. Well today the time came, after a lot of discussion, weeping, etc it was the quality of her life that was the most important thing in our decision to let her pass. It was hard considering all that has gone on in our lives recently. We will miss those big brown eyes!

Rest In Peace, Mattie Grace Carmichael.
Born Oct 12 1998 Left this earth 3:00 PM April 29 2013
You are missed and will always be !

[John Dunkle]

I have nothing much to add.... I am so sorry...

I dread the day my pups will have to take that same ride...

Again - my heart goes out to you and yours...

John

[Rick Losey]

every one takes a bit of you with them.

[Eric Eis]

As John says there is nothing left to be said except I am sorry for your loss and I pray for your family. I went through the same thing last fall. Remember the eyes and the times in the field. Eric

[Jim DiSpagno]

Miss Mattie will always be with you and you were truly a great companion to her as she was to you. My sincere condolences to you my friend and to Megan.

[David Dwyer]

Gary
It is a courageous decision to put their needs above yours. They love unconditionally and we need to return it.
David

[Mark Callanan]

What a beautiful Lab
Sorry for your great loss
They are family......

[Dave Suponski]

Gary, As others have said it all. Thank you for sharing your loss with us. You have my sympathy. So very sorry.

[John Dallas]

I think the reason it's so hard is because it was so good for so long. We lost "Tar" (the Lab in my avatar) about a year and a half ago. The only thing that worked for us was our new black terror, "Daisy". Good luck

[John Havard]

Gary, having been where you are fairly recently I understand fully how much it hurts. I am very sorry for your loss but also certain that with time the good memories will prevail.

Here are the two I recently lost (Marco and Hershee).

John

[Angel Cruz]

Sorry for you loss Gary. Man that sucks!!

[Jared Valeski]

I think nearly 15 years of life, and of owning a good dog for that length of time are things to be thankful for.

[Russ Jackson]

Gary ,Very Sorry for Your Loss , I imagine most of those that are regulars here have been through this same loss and it is never easy . Our prayers are with You and Your Family ! Best ; Russ

[Jay Baskette]

Sorry for the loss of your best bud and the pain you are feeling. Your life is measured in good part, by the great dogs you had the privilage of sharing it with. May God grant you peace of heart and superb memories to carry with you.

[Neil Richardson]

I'm sorry for your loss. The privilege of a dog in our life is a joy like no other.
They truly are "man's best friend" and losing one is never easy.

Neil

[John Taddeo]

Sorry for your loss Gary, I believe our companions wait for our arrival on the edge of endless cover, ears perked and head tilted. The only worry is which way we will cast.

[charlie cleveland]

how sad a passing of a true friend is....my heart goes out to ya ll.....charlie

[Harold Lee Pickens]

unfortunately, that is the hand we are dealt and with every new pup, we are assured of new heartbreak. Someone on this forum uses as their quote a statement that always gets to me:
You give a dog what little time you can spare and what love you can spare, and in return a dog will give you all it has--it is the best deal man has ever made.

[Harry Sanders]

Gary,

Very sorry for your and Megan's loss. I've had to do it more times than I care to, but they bring such joy to our lives. My Avatar is my first, Eli. Lost him at 5 yrs. He still brings tears to my eyes at times like this and tears of joy when I see the Hemlocks where as a pup while following Grouse tracks in the snow he turned to look at me as if to say where'd they go? Well on that -14 deg F morning I was fortunate enough to be able to walk in and show him the birds over his head on the limb. Forever after when he lost scent he'd back up a few steps and look up! Tears of Joy!

[Bobby Cash]

We'll honor her by carrying on.

[George Lander]

Gary: I too am sorry for your loss. It's a pity that they can't live as long as us. Here is a poem that I hope will help. It is called......

THE LAST BATTLE

" If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For This, the last battle can't be won.
You will be and I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only stay with me until the end,
An hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree,
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail it's last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't greive that it must be you,
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close, we two, these years.
Don't let your heart hold any tears."

Author Unknown

Best Wishes and Regards, George

[Chaz Doebler]

“Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really.”

― Agnes Sligh Turnbull

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Thank's To all that have posted, This is the only forum anywhere that would have the folks that understand this kind of loss! George when I first read the poem this morning I could not help but shed a few more tears and then there was a sort of comfort, I know you know what I mean, Megan and I will read it many times in the days to come, happy in the fact that Mattie is looking down watching over us. Thank you very much for these words of comfort Gary and Megan Carmichael

[Rich Anderson]

Gary I'm so very sorry for your loss and I know what your going through. Your act is the last gift of kindness that we can do for our canine companions. The unconditional love they give us each and every day deserves no less. It is one of the hardest decisions we make as it should be but it hurts nonthe less. Mattie will live in your hearts forever.

We are sorry for your loss and our prayers are with your family and Mattie.

C.O.B. & Gunner

[Tom Will]

Gary, you have my sincere sympathy. Thanks for the picture, nice dog

[Paul Plager]

Gary & Megan, you have the prayers of my family. Thank you for sharing your pain and sorrow with us. I have had to take that trip myself a couple of times. Thank the Lord we seem to forget this part when we get the next one and do it all over again. We say never again, but pretty soon, here we go again.
God bless .

[Craig Larter]

Gary: I do feel your pain---it is very difficult losing a best friend and constant companion. I had to put my 14 year old Lab Tess down three weeks ago----it's so hard. Just remember the good times with her. Very sorry.

[Mills Morrison]

As others have said, words just fail. The hardest part of having a dog is when the time comes for them to go.

[Steve Kleist]

Gary,
The sadness we feel is nothing more that the love that exists. Keep your memories close.
SK

[ed good]

grace; how appropriately named...

[Marty Kohler]

Gary, so very sorry.....

A six year old once said after his dog's passing.......

"People are born so they can learn how to live a good life--like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well dogs already know how to do that so, they don't have to stay so long"

There are better days ahead...Marty

[chris dawe]

I've been away from home and have limited computer access and this is the first thread I open ....it's hard stuff Gary and I'm sorry it's something you had to even consider with what you have going on with yourself,
we know it's going to happen as soon as we pick the little guy's up for the first time...but we all take it on knowingly, because being with one is really the only way for people like us,and having a set of ears to scratch while we work out life's problems is the way it's supposed to be .

I have a few old tags and empty collars hung on my bar ,and no doubt I'll have more and I truly hope someday you'll again find yourself looking into the little button eyes of a roly poly pup .

[Gerald Majors]

Gary, as a veterinarian, I am saddened at your loss. I myself have personally suffered the loss of my best friends as well as sharing the burden of hundreds of clients dogs over my 34 yrs as a vet. So saying I am sorry for your loss is just somehow inadequate.
But at the same timem, I am so greatly touched by the out pouring of love and understanding from the members.
I often tell my clients when the time comes: Remember that this decision is the final act of pure love, not an act of betrayal or giving up but an act of tough love that goes beyond ones own concern for the pain they must feel at the loss of their companion but an act that says I love you too much to let this pain go on. I Tell them that we will see them in the golden fields where birds always fly and we never die.
With Sympathy
Gerald Majors, DVM

[Larry Mason]

Gary, so sorry for your loss. There have been some wonderful words of comfort here.
God Bless,
Larry

[Peter Clark]

If only they didn't age so fast. As I type this my little girl is lying next to me. She is not yet two so hopefully we have many good years yet. I'm sorry for your loss but get a pup soon.
-plc-

[Tom Will]

Gary I thought you might need a smile. My buddies Lab was staying with us and we could here the 2 of them playing pretty rough with the rope toy in the other room. I got my camera and while walking to the doorway said, What's going on in here? Well as you can plainly see, my pointer was just laying there minding her own business and the lab well he just wasn't quick enough not to get caught. Hope you get a chuckle, these 2 are so funny together.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Tom, That photo just made my day, reminded me of Mattie. We often said we should have called her Bandit, thank you every day is better the guilt is gone, just the emptiness and memories remain. Gary

[Paul Plager]

Tom, that picture is priceless. It made my day .
God bless.

[Daryl Corona]

Gary;
Not much I can say to lessen the lost but you were very lucky to have her for almost 15 years. Parker, the dog in my avatar, was only 9 when cancer took him away. I was without a dog for 3 months and I can tell you they were the loneliest 3 months I spent in years. I just hope when I leave this earth I'll be reunited with all my old hunting buddies. What a day that will be.

[Dennis V. Nix]

Gary I am truly sorry for your loss. These dogs are very much family members.

George thank you for the poem. While reading it I was close to tears myself thinking of my two dogs that left us in 2005. One was a German short hair mix and the other one was a black Lab mix. They both lasted about 18 years and gave my family so much pleasure. The GSP died of liver cancer. I had called the vet about 11:00 at night and described the symptoms. She said it was liver cancer and the dog would probably not last the night. I stayed with the dog and it did indeed pass away about an hour later. The Lab simply choked about 2:00 AM one night. I got up to hold her and she was gone within seconds. For weeks I was in tears over those two puppies. When a fellow PGCA member posts losing a dog I know it is felt by the entire membership. It sure brings on some tears but also great memories of past hunts, closeness to the family etc. Thank you.

Dennis

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Dennis, She was as much a part of this family as you could get, I still feel her presence when I am out for my morning and evening walk, she was always with me and sure she will always have a presence in my life. Thanks, Gary

[George Lander]

Dennis: You're more than welcome. These furry little guys and gals come into our life, often when we need them the most. They show their love for us without reserve right up to the end of their lives. They ease the pain that life often brings. They are our Balm in Gilead that makes the wounded whole. Ater losing Claudia, my wife of 52 years, I am left with our pets: Parker Dog, Wrinkles Dog, Frosty Cat, Scooter Cat & Bubba Cat here at home. Although I see my kids quite often I take great comfort in the companionship of my four legged kids.

My Best To You and Yours, George

[jeff kropp]

A sad part of life when our boon companions must leave us! Been through the process many times, but it never gets any easier...