End of an era

[Mike of the Mountain]

Guys, Deacon was 10 1/2 years old.He was suffering from chronic kidney failure since summer. At that time our vet said 6-12 months. He was getting heart meds AM and PM due to his heart swelling from the kidney issue. Every other day we would give him 100ml of saline from a drip bag to help flush the toxins from his system and he got a piece of raw heart and liver twice a day to supplement his food. Vet said he'll be fine until he stops eating. Well, we hunted Saturday AM. He ate Saturday PM. Sunday he nibbled in the AM and PM, but nothing like usual. Then he wouldn't even eat raw meat or egg on any food since Sunday. He went to the vet and she put him down. It was time. I just thought he'd be around longer. Totally shocked as he hunted like a champ twice last week. Never gets easier. Yet, we do it over and over and over....

[C Thomas Reily]

Sorry for your loss. He was one handsome Setter.

[Brett Hoop]

These times are tuff! Both he and you gave all you had to give to each other and what else is there to be asked for in a life?
There is a 16 month old Setter resting under my left elbow as I type, and he came here to live in part to safe guard my emotional needs should something happen to the Springer that owns me. Keep up with the pup, best tonic I can suggest.

[chris dawe]

Sorry to hear Mike ,with a 14 year Drhathaar pup at my feet it wont be long for me either unfortunately

[10ga Hammer]

So sorry to hear this Mike. Having recently lost one of ours, Sandy and I know the pain and sadness you feel. They are only with us a short while, but their memories are with us forever. So sorry for your lose.

[BRDHNTR]

Sorry for your loss Mike. I feel your pain. My cure for this over the years is to pick up a pup as soon as possible. They will lessen the pain.

[C.O.B.]

I'm sorry for your loss Mike, I know as most of us here do of what your going through. We sign up for it gladly when we get a pup never thinking about the end.

[Sara LeFever]

Aw, Mike, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss! You guys certainly did everything possible for him, and I'm glad he was still hunting and having a good time. I'll be thinking of you all.

Sara

[Cold Spring]

Mike, I saw your post on the Fox site and wrote to you there. I've probably seen Deacon more over those years than anyone else on Parker and I'll say again, I am so very sorry for your loss. Deacon is taking a rest..... Mike you know what I mean by that.

frank

[Mike of the Mountain]

Thanks guys. As high as I was about how Callie was coming along, this brought me right down. Hope to take Callie and Ghillie out for the first time together next week. I want to see how she hunts with another dog and Ghillie is good to go with 99.9% of any other dog. If she hunts/backs/retrieves like I know she is able to, then I have a new brace to guide with.

We were planning on breeding Callie and Deacon when she came into her next heat (any week now). We really wanted one of Deacons pups to carry on his skillset. Change of plans now on the way.