Tribute to an Old Dog

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Too often we wait until a dog has passed before we reminisce and pay tribute to the joy it has brought into our lives. Well, Shiner, my male Eng. Setter is 13 today, and I am really enjoying the season he has been giving me. He was the product of a full Ryman female and a grouse trial champion. Yes, his range has shortened up significantly, and he is a little hard of hearing. I have taken at least a dozen grouse over him and just as many pheasant and woodcock already this season alone. I have cherished every point, back, and retrieve that he has given me. He still seems to have a good motor, but I wonder how much he will be able to do next year.
Some have immortalized their dogs in wood and steel, such as the Gunner's Gun, and the Abbey gun. Most of us will have those memories etched in our hearts.
So, gentlemen, let us see and hear about your old dogs, and may they live forever!----and by the way Happy Birthday Shiner

[Dean Romig]

Harold, the best of those pictures is the one with you and Shiner.
It will be a long time before I can tell any stories of Gracie's points and backs, much less her finding a bird I had winged and ran off a couple hundred yards through 'man killer' slash heaps... but I sure hope that day comes and I can be as proud of her as you are of ol' Shiner.

Thanks!

[John Dallas]

Harold - Great thread. The Lab in my avatar was "Tar" - short for Tartan. We brought her in from Scotland. She was a granddaughter of the 1994 British National Champion. Before we lost her, she had over 1300 retrieves, and more importantly, over 80 trips to Detroit's Children's Hospital. She put smiles on the faces of a bunch of kids and their parents.

[charlie cleveland]

happy birthday shiner and many more...great thread..charlie

[Gary Laudermilch]

Lovely thread Harold. I can only imagine the memories you two have shared, but I can relate.

Trapper, my oldest of 3 setters will turn 14 next month. His mind and heart say go but his body not so much. Memories? He and I are full of them as I've shot grouse over him in New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan. Oh my, what a time we have had!

[Harold Lee Pickens]

All those pictures of Shiner were taken since the middle of October, and although Shiner was the reason I started this thread, I have another setter who will be 10 this spring. Betty is the best setter I have ever had, and she lives to hunt for me. She is out of Shiner and my dear old setter Speck who has passed. I don't think I will ever forgive myself for not having bred her.
The picture was from this past October in the UP.
Hey Gary, which one of those handsome guys is you?

[Rich Anderson]

After 15 years of faithful companionship we lost Willie aka The Binkers" yesterday. he blew his knee out at a year old and it's been held together with 150lb test monofilament ever since. The vet said it would be un likely he would hunt again and he was correct. Binkers showed promise but it just wasn't meant to be. He was a great companion and for years a vigilant watch dog, a gentle soul with a big heart. He is missed terribly.

[Gary Laudermilch]

You have my sincerest condolences in your loss. It is never easy to say goodbye to a real, honest to goodness friend. Take care!

[Rick Losey]

Rich, sorry for the loss - i still miss every one of my old dogs, and as I mentioned in another post, I expect this to have been Osthaus' last year afield. its never easy.

there is a book titled "empty collars" i can never bring myself to read it.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Rich, that is a tuff loss. Willie was lucky to have you as a friend, to look after him even when he could not help you in the field. I guess Daisy is your only GSP left? Bitter cold down here today, working until noon and then going out to see if I can find any pheasants left at our hunt club--going to put all 3 dogs down at the same time, so it might get crazy. Shiner and Betty hunt well together and are backing fools, but little Fancy still doesnt know what its all about.

[Angel Cruz]

Sorry to hear about Willie Rich. Thank God for the memories.

[Rich Anderson]

I was going to go for a walk this am with Daisy to clense the soul so to speak but its about 9 degrees and windy. Yesterday we lost Willie and my Dad died on Monday....I could use the walk before I head back to Jackson and the family:crying:

[Angel Cruz]

My deepest sympathies to you and the family my friend. I will remember you in my prayers.

[charlie cleveland]

sad news rich..we are never really prepared for these kind of things...GOD be with you and the family...charlie

[Dave Suponski]

Rich,Danny and I sent our deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad and Willie. We will be thinking of you my friend.