Branta's Ruger Red Label JH - TT - CGC

[Perfect Drift]

Ruger passed away today. I am as sad as sad can be. We did everything together. He always rode in the front of the boat with ears a flappin and loved more than anything charging after the ducks.
My brown dog, I miss you deeply !!

[crabbait]

Kaus - I feel for ya, man. I hate the fact that my dog wears out and my gun keeps going. I wish it were the other way around. A great dog is impossible to replace.

I got a call from my best friend yesterday. He just found out that his best friend and black lab, King, has a cancer the size of Cleveland in him. The dog is the same age as my lab, 5. Way too young to lose a dog that is so full of life and fun. We don't have the results of the ultrasound yet. There is still hope that it may be operable.

I am looking for a great female yellow to breed to my Nicky. Everybody who knows him would love to have one of his pups. If you or anyone knows of a really good female please let me know.

So sorry to hear of your loss. As soon as you can bear to, get a good pup.

[ 06-03-2002, 08:33 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

[Perfect Drift]

I have puppies on the way, in late July, I doubt I will keep one. The lose at this point is a huge void to fill. I will enjoy one dog for now. The bond goes so deep with these guys, for non-dog owners, it's hard to imagine it. Might as well lose your best friend, that's how it feels. The emptiness ----
The thud as he would lie next to me on the floor after a long days hunt, head on my chest, like he is saying, I'm bone tired too but man what a great day we had. Remember that one huge mallard drake we got, he was huge and what feathers on him. Great shot you did. Or every night following my daughter to bed and lay by her until she fell asleep and then come back downstairs and put his head on my lap. Saying, she all tucked in and asleep Dad. Or the last retrieve he did this winter, a good 150 yards, straight out and straight back. Didn't even turn to me for signals. How could anyone be more proud of a hunting partner. As I'm standing on the bank of the pond screaming at the top of my lungs, ' what a dog, good boy, come on Ru, you are the man. Years of training comes together into one final retrieve, the last retrieve is burned into my memory. What joy !! and What a sorrow. It's all to short, he was only 8 yrs old.

[crabbait]

I had to put a pup down at 6 mo several years ago (terrible hips). These dogs are pure love all the way to the bone. I was a complete basket case for four days. Decided right then that I had to get another pup to fill that hole you talked about. Bought Nicky from Sunnyview Kennels and brought him home three months later.

A big picture of Deacon, my other pup, still hangs over the fireplace. I really need to add a pup. I feel very vulnerable with just Nicky and none of his progeny around. He is one of a kind. If you went to the Sportsman Show, this year or the last several, he is the big yellow that manned the Ducks Unlimited booth every day of the show.

Nicky does not have any of the hunt test certifications but that is my fault, not his. You will never see a dog with more desire to hunt and retreive. Extremely trainable and calm all the time except when the feathers are flying. Hips OFA certified excellent.

At least you still have one dog to ease your loss. I am sure you know that the dog is missing Ruger, too. Best of luck to both of you.

[Perfect Drift]

Crabbait, thank you for the words tonight !!!
I does help to know, I'm not alone and others now the joys and sorrows. Sunnyview has put out many a great dog, I have watched them work at the tests. Be proud of him as you should. They give with all of the heart they have.

[bigshark]

Sorry Kaus, no one can know what a loss it is unless they have been there. I found my Dixie dead in our driveway a couple of months ago. It hurt a lot but the fact I wasn't with her when she left us hurt the most. Count your blessing that you had such a partner. I feel sorry for those who have never known such a bond.They are truely special.