Gunner 2/14/98-9/14/12

[C.O.B.]

Gunner my Little Buddy of 14 wonderfull years has crossed the fence for the last time. As I have written befor he has had more than his share of health issues the last 6mos. I didn't think I'd make Hausmans but he rallied then while at the Upper Pennisula shoot he took a turn for the worse then he rallied again. He hadn't been eating or drinking and the other day his left hip went out. He couldn't climb the steps and it was hard for him to lie down or get up. I gave him some pain meds hoping he bruised it and it would get better but after a couple of days it was obvious the "quality" of life was gone. I promised him he wouldn't suffer needlessly and there would be honor and dignity at the end and I believe I kept my promise. I called the vet last night at 9pm and made the arrangements for 8am today. It was the longest 11 hours of my life, and one of the hardest things I have had to do...as it should be. I buried him next to his mom who gave me 13 wonderfull years and the blessing of Gunner. I was there when he took his first breath and his last. Between the two of them I have had the privledge of almost 28 years of unwavering love and affection and compaionship.

Tomorrow is the opening day of Grouse season and while Gunner won't be in the coverts for the first time in his 14+ years he will be with me always in spirit. It will be the debut of "Gunner's Parker" and I hope I make him proud.

Good bye my friend, your reunited in heaven with your mom and will live with me forever. Your chair won't be the same without you in it. You are missed already

[Mills]

Sorry to hear the news. It is terrible to lose a good dog.

[ed good]

been there...sigh...

[Bruce Day]

Rich, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of a good canine buddy. It is very difficult. A puppy helps.

[OH Osthaus]

I can't read these sorts of posts without tearring up,

sorry to hear it, just know you gave him all while he was here.

[Autumn Daze]

Rich, I am so sorry to hear of this. I have so many pictures of Gunner in my computer I felt as if I knew him. Hang in there buddy.

[Mills]

We "won" Gator, our black lab, at an auction. My wife says it was because I had "too many." We were the only bidders. Gator was a rescue dog and would have been put down the next day if we had not bid on him. Well, he has been the best thing that ever happened to us next to our boys. He is great with the boys even when they give him plenty of reasons to bite them. He doesn't chew things up and he has really taken to hunting and retrieving. We just got invited to a dove hunt this Sunday and that is his favorite thing to do. There is nothing quite like a good dog.

[Opening Day]

I've hunted behind Gunner and shared a chair with him, he will be sorely missed at hunt camp. Rich you did the right thing even though it was hard it was the right thing to do. Eric

[Double Play]

Rich,
I had to do the same thing four months ago so I know how tough it was for you but you did the right thing for Gunner. Keep all those great memories but turn your affections to another and you be blessed again I'm sure.

[edgarspencer]

I am a huge chicken when it comes to lots of things, but when it's time to repay my four-legged pals, I suck it up. I consider it my obligation, as you do also. Some things never get easier but still need to be done. My wife and I go together with some, I go alone with others, but not for the fear of being seen with wet eyes. I'd be less of a man if they didn't tear up.