WHEN THE TIME COMES

[Marty K.]

Gary, so very sorry.....

A six year old once said after his dog's passing.......

"People are born so they can learn how to live a good life--like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well dogs already know how to do that so, they don't have to stay so long"

There are better days ahead...Marty

[chris dawe]

I've been away from home and have limited computer access and this is the first thread I open ....it's hard stuff Gary and I'm sorry it's something you had to even consider with what you have going on with yourself,
we know it's going to happen as soon as we pick the little guy's up for the first time...but we all take it on knowingly, because being with one is really the only way for people like us,and having a set of ears to scratch while we work out life's problems is the way it's supposed to be .

I have a few old tags and empty collars hung on my bar ,and no doubt I'll have more and I truly hope someday you'll again find yourself looking into the little button eyes of a roly poly pup .

[Gerald Majors]

Gary, as a veterinarian, I am saddened at your loss. I myself have personally suffered the loss of my best friends as well as sharing the burden of hundreds of clients dogs over my 34 yrs as a vet. So saying I am sorry for your loss is just somehow inadequate.
But at the same timem, I am so greatly touched by the out pouring of love and understanding from the members.
I often tell my clients when the time comes: Remember that this decision is the final act of pure love, not an act of betrayal or giving up but an act of tough love that goes beyond ones own concern for the pain they must feel at the loss of their companion but an act that says I love you too much to let this pain go on. I Tell them that we will see them in the golden fields where birds always fly and we never die.
With Sympathy
Gerald Majors, DVM

[Larry Mason]

Gary, so sorry for your loss. There have been some wonderful words of comfort here.
God Bless,
Larry

[Duckman]

If only they didn't age so fast. As I type this my little girl is lying next to me. She is not yet two so hopefully we have many good years yet. I'm sorry for your loss but get a pup soon.
-plc-

[Tom Will]

Gary I thought you might need a smile. My buddies Lab was staying with us and we could here the 2 of them playing pretty rough with the rope toy in the other room. I got my camera and while walking to the doorway said, What's going on in here? Well as you can plainly see, my pointer was just laying there minding her own business and the lab well he just wasn't quick enough not to get caught. Hope you get a chuckle, these 2 are so funny together.

[Hammer Gun]

Tom, That photo just made my day, reminded me of Mattie. We often said we should have called her Bandit, thank you every day is better the guilt is gone, just the emptiness and memories remain. Gary

[Paul P.]

Tom, that picture is priceless. It made my day .
God bless.

[Double Lab]

Gary;
Not much I can say to lessen the lost but you were very lucky to have her for almost 15 years. Parker, the dog in my avatar, was only 9 when cancer took him away. I was without a dog for 3 months and I can tell you they were the loneliest 3 months I spent in years. I just hope when I leave this earth I'll be reunited with all my old hunting buddies. What a day that will be.

[Dennis]

Gary I am truly sorry for your loss. These dogs are very much family members.

George thank you for the poem. While reading it I was close to tears myself thinking of my two dogs that left us in 2005. One was a German short hair mix and the other one was a black Lab mix. They both lasted about 18 years and gave my family so much pleasure. The GSP died of liver cancer. I had called the vet about 11:00 at night and described the symptoms. She said it was liver cancer and the dog would probably not last the night. I stayed with the dog and it did indeed pass away about an hour later. The Lab simply choked about 2:00 AM one night. I got up to hold her and she was gone within seconds. For weeks I was in tears over those two puppies. When a fellow PGCA member posts losing a dog I know it is felt by the entire membership. It sure brings on some tears but also great memories of past hunts, closeness to the family etc. Thank you.

Dennis