Dog Down

[Fred Preston]

Ringo, 1996-2010 ("Fred's Elhew Ringo", #1463928 in the Field Dog Stud Book) went to a happier hunting ground this week, a couple of days after the close of pheasant season here. For the past year his hearing and eyesight had been failing to the point we had trouble communicating and he couldn't mark a falling bird; however, he still had the nose to find them. Below are a few pics in sort of cronological order of his career.

He will be missed. Fred

[Dave Suponski]

Fred,I'm so sorry.

[Eric Eis]

I'm sorry Fred, I know what a great dog he was, but now he is hunting all the time and does't have to try to understand "closed seasons"

[C Roger Giles]

Ringo's demise saddens me.

Roger Coger

[Patrick Devlin]

The bond between between a hunter and his dog is unlike any other, so is the hole left behind I am sorry.

Pat Devlin

[Bill Bolyard]

Fred,

I am glad I had the honor to meet Ringo and yourself this last fall. I know how losing such a close friend and hunting partner can weigh on your heart. He and all dogs past will be waiting for us in the place where all fields have birds and hopefully our shooting improves.

Bill

[Christopher Lien]

Fred,
Sorry to hear of Ringo's passing, I always liked seeing his hunting photos when you shared them here... Losing a long time hunting pal is never easy...

Best, CSL
_____________________________

[Russ Jackson]

Fred ;Although we have never met ,we have a common bond ,I have three bird finders ,and best friends myself , I am very sorry for your loss ! Russ

[Rich Anderson]

Fred,
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss as I know how you feel. Unfortunately it is part of the bond between a man and his dog. Ringo will live on in your heart and your memories.

My deepest condolences.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Fred: Thoughts are with you at a tough time. We know the reality of life spans but we aren't sure of the why. I just got this in one of those forwarded forever emails that helps with the why.
Regards,
Jack

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)


Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said, ''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

[Trigg Davis]

Fred,


I have much empathy for your situation.I lost two fine dogs this year one in September and one on Thanksgiving day a few days short of her 15th birthday. I feel for you I wish you the best and I hope you can at least celebrate the blessing of having had such a fine dog. They are a treasure and I hope you have the good fortune to have another good one in your future.

Trigg

[gordon smith]

Fred;

I,m feeling sorry for you. We wiil need to have a wake sometime.

[Francis Morin]

His entire article on "Where To Bury A Dog" was featured in the Premiere Issue of GUN DOG maybe 1986? The key phrase is "In The Heart of His Master"--It is always a heavy sadness when we lose a four legged best friend, perhaps, as in the great wisdom of the young lad- we can know that our Dogs don't know about mortality- they view each day in the alloted span of years as just another patch of light opening up the morning skies, with the promise of adventure ahead--

That adventure could be a ride with "The Boss" to Lowe's for nails and paint, a trip to the Vet (how do some of them know that in advance?) or chasing the neighbor's cats up the sycamore trees- or best of all, the trip with duck boat in tow to the marsh, with water, much and mud, the feel of a hefty bird in mouth paddling back to the blind- or going out to the farm and finding quail and other great smelling birds to the nose, slamming into a "Fire-Plug" point and hearing the bang and seeing the feathers airborne- All Good, all good in deed, and all part of our memories as we have to say "GoodBye" --

I'll re-read "Old Tom" and other greats buy Gene Hill tonight, and raise a tumbler of Bourbon and branch in memory of your fine friend and bird finder!

[Angel Cruz]

Sad to hear of your loss Fred.

[Fred Preston]

t
Thank you all for your kind words about the old boy. Ring had a full and long life as a gun dog when he wandered off in the snow a week ago tomorrow. I believe he knew it was time. He can't be replaced, but does have a successor; another black and white Elhew. Pete is his own dog and it shouldn't be any other way.

Adios old Friend, Fred