My Story
 

I was thinking of getting an EB (French Brittany) pup next year or so, but in mid Oct. '15 I came down for breakfast and found my wife already on the computer. She announced; that I wasn't getting any younger (turned 70 last Aug.), we should get a pup right away, she'd just found a new litter and I should call the breeder Right Now! I'm not as quick on the uptake as I once was, but I don't have to be hit in the head with a brick. Called the breeder right away and put a deposit on the last female O/W available. Then on the weekend of 12/2/15, we drove to South Carolina and picked her up!
About three years ago, we gave up a double bed and got a queen size. Good move, now most nights we sleep with 3 dogs & 2 cats.

i said to my wife that we may have one more dog after Macallan, her response was there was time for a few more

although, I doubt there will be three at a time again after this time :rotf:

When I lost my dog Jules I was not sure if another dog could ever take her place. Truth is another dog can not, and lm truly glad of that. Each dog has its own personality.
A new puppy will bring you lots of other special memories. Today was the last day of quail season and my hunting partner and I teamed up our two youngest dogs. In the 35 years my hunting partner and I have run bird dogs we sure have had some great ones, but we both readily admitted our newest dogs may be two of the finest bird dogs and companions we have ever had the opportunity to hunt over. Just look at the smiles on these pups faces is enough to tell you your life will be richer with another dog.
http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachm...1&d=1454900529

Happy dogs are the best hunters.






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I am 73, Jolie is 2-1/2 she is hard to keep up with! I do a lot of things that I would not do if she was not around, they keep us in the main stream, and yes, there comes a time when age comes to play, so do not hesitate to enjoy one of god's best creations, anew pup! Gary

If anyone could express the value of a dog and what one means to it's owner it was Gene Hill RIP Gene you are sorely missed

Phil, that is a great post and quote by Gene Hill. Especially meaningfull to me as I had to put down my 15 yr old male setter, Shiner on Mon. eve. It would be great framed and on the wall.

Harold my heart goes out to you. As hunters I believe we have an even closer relationship with our dogs.
I wrote about the loss of my hunting companion Jules in the fall edition of the Parker pages. I must admit it was tough at times putting the article together and thinking of the wonderful times we had together.
I'm sure we all feel the same way , that we are pretty lucky to have been part of our dogs lives.

This might be the quote Phil referred to. Audrey bought me this when we lost Gunner and it hangs on the wall in the gun room. it's hard to believe that he's been gone 3 1/2 years.

" It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are". Anonymous

Just to top it off she left a note as if it were from Gunner on the back:crying:

It was a sad day around the Gustafson house yesterday. We finally reached the decision to put Teddy, our Springer down. He was 15 and dealing with a lot of issues. The last 9 months have been hard on him. But he was up to the challenge and never complained although I'm sure he was in pain. We were being selfish and waited too long but its hard to let go of something you love so much.

Jimmy Stewart summed it up pretty well in his poem "A dog named Beau"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cyrus-...b_1146937.html