Dog Down
 

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

Fred,I'm so sorry.

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"

Ringo's demise saddens me.

Roger Coger

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

Pat Devlin

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

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
_____________________________

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

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.

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.''