Amen to that.

To paraphrase "Our sporting dogs have no fear of death. They joyfully hold it in their mouth daily"
We love them for as long as we can and then we let them go, taking a piece of our heart with them and leaving years of immeasurable joy with us. I cannot imagine my life without a dog to curl up next to me on the couch and to pursue God's bounty with.

I was watching a video of a WW2 Vet skydiving at the age of 90 and I saw this thread and it gave me thought. If someone could get a surrogate for their best buddy in the event the inevitable comes earlier than expected, then go for it... This life we have here is a one-time go and we should truly enjoy every moment with emphasis on what makes one happy.. I have never heard someone complain that their only regret is "I wish I could have worked more" so I say ride your life hard all the way to the end and enjoy.. Just like that Vet was doing with a big smile, jumping from a perfectly good aircraft..

Get the puppy Dean...get the puppy???

I'm 74 and have lost 2 dogs in the last 6 months. I will be getting another dog within a month and I don't care if I couldn't walk 20 feet to hunt but I will have another dog because I need one in my life. Yes the silence is deafening.

It’s too late for that Tom. Puppy was sold back in May because I had passed on the offer.





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I'll be 63 in a couple weeks and for my first birthday I was given a Border Terrier puppy and since that time we always had one in the house . When my pop was about 80 we had to have the one we had then put to sleep because of a tumor . Anyway within two weeks of her passing I'd found another puppy that was almost ready to go out to new owners . My father was all for it even though as I now know he only had five years left but I truely believe that dog was a comfort to him in his last years at home . She's now 12ish I believe so her life is close to the end as well . I'd like to get another when she leaves me but I'm apprehensive about what needs to be done and how to do it to get her to the Philippines when I go . Anyway back to your situation , if I were you i'd say damn the torpedos full speed ahead :cool:

We recently tried a second Brittany, but the family decided after a day to stick with one. I was sad to have to return our new dog

The local funeral parlor director called the old man on a late summer day and kindly asked the man if he had considered the making of his final arrangements. There was a slight pause and the old man replied that he had just finalized his plans last week after some hard decision making. The director then asked if he would mind sharing his thoughts, and the man happily agreed....... I will be starting in Stratton Maine for 2 weeks with the mighty Partridge then a week in Michigan's U.P followed by a stint in South Dakota for Pheasant and Whitetail deer... The director was then awe struck and asked, "what of your final wishes"??? Cool weather and steady dog work would be just fine said he... Just fine...

Amen.