Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: IdahoMatt on November 07, 2014, 09:24:43 pm

Title: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: IdahoMatt on November 07, 2014, 09:24:43 pm
I haven't posted in a while.  I've been super swamped with a lot of things.  My English setter Sage was put down today.  She had a degenerative spine disease where the gaps between the vertebrae were tring to grow together, then breaking when she moved.  We thought it would progress slowly.  It is her seventh birthday today.  We found out on Monday and she didn't eat anything all week and went down hill fast.  I noticed something was wrong at the beginning of the summer but it took multiple vet vists and a few months to figure it out.  She was one of the best bird dogs I have seen.  I got to go on one last hunt on Wednesday, any ways I'll stop now.  You guys are always good for an ear so thanks. 

 
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: half eye on November 07, 2014, 09:32:20 pm
sorry dont really get it Matt. But at least she got to enjoy huntin them birds and being with you. Losing a dog just flat hurts, and for a long time too.
rich
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 07, 2014, 09:39:01 pm
So sorry to hear that, man.  Dogs are a part of our lives, but we are their whole lives.  She can't say it, but thanks for being strong enough to take care of her when she needed you the very most. 

There is no replacing a dog.  But there is always room for the next one. 
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: wildman on November 07, 2014, 09:42:32 pm
Matt , they say you get one great dog in life , but I disagree. We have some little cur ladies , and I raised and trained Labs for years. They are all special in their own way. I understand what your going through , and its never easy. I feel sure when you are ready a awesome new friend will be found. Our condolences brother.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: osage outlaw on November 07, 2014, 10:05:22 pm
Sorry to hear that Matt.  I think a good dog is the most honest friend a man will ever have.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: bubby on November 08, 2014, 12:09:56 am
Sorry Matt, I've been in the same spot having to put down your best bud, remember the good times you had, forget the rest
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: Tyke on November 08, 2014, 01:41:49 am
Sorry matt my dogs are my life i cant imagine losing one my condolences to you and your family
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: chamookman on November 08, 2014, 04:55:01 am
Sorry to hear of Your loss Matt. Never an easy decision. Bob
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: TRACY on November 08, 2014, 07:19:47 am
My sympathies Matt! Been there and it's never easy. Hang on to the memories, they make it a little better.

Tracy
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: IdahoMatt on November 08, 2014, 11:13:49 am
Thank you guys so much.  We buried her in the most beautiful spot.  When we finish building our house, we will be able to see her every day out our kitchen window. 
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: YosemiteBen on November 08, 2014, 12:00:39 pm
Sorry for your loss MAtt. Of all the dogs I have had none have affected more than my first.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: coxral on November 08, 2014, 08:56:45 pm
Sorry for your loss. Words can't express my sorrow for when we have to let pets go.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: Dharma on November 08, 2014, 10:05:11 pm
It's a lot harder to lose a pet than people without pets understand. Take good care of yourself, give voice to your grief, and treasure the time you had.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: Knoll on November 08, 2014, 10:19:59 pm
Sorry Matt, I've been in the same spot having to put down your best bud, remember the good times you had, forget the rest
Well said, imo.  Nuttin' lasts forever, except the memories.  Your posting brought back some good memories for me.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: sleek on November 08, 2014, 10:42:25 pm
I plant a tree on my dogs graves. The life of the tree there makes me feel better. Something beautiful growing to represent the life of my dog, and it will out live me.  I have lost 3 inside of a year. I know the feeling. I feel sick for you buddy. Sorry for your loss. It is a big one.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: IdahoMatt on November 09, 2014, 03:03:35 am
Thanks again guys.  I plan on planting a red osier dogwood.  Kinda cheesy I know but I figure someday I'll make an arrow with some pheasant fleching and just keep it In my quiver. 
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: sleek on November 09, 2014, 09:53:39 am
Thats a good idea. I like that.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: H Rhodes on November 09, 2014, 04:43:19 pm
Sorry for your loss Matt.   My dogs are dear to me and I know exactly what you are going through.  I like the dogwood idea.  With that arrow in your quiver her spirit will always be hunting with you.  Hang in there brother.   
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: IdahoMatt on November 09, 2014, 10:04:06 pm
Thanks Howard.  It's getting easier every day.  But only a little.  She was a serious member of our family.  My wife and nearly 2 year old son are fealing it too. 
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: Pappy on November 10, 2014, 07:32:35 am
I feel your pain Matt, been there and it's not any fun. :(  But as in all things like this it will get better with time, and another dog helps. :)
  Pappy
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: Parnell on November 10, 2014, 01:52:37 pm
My heart always goes out when I read these posts, and I understand how difficult it is.  So hard to put down your friend when they develop illnesses and it feels early.

I believe we'll see them again. 
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: mullet on November 10, 2014, 03:43:10 pm
Real sorry, Matt. After my last two lab', It'll be awhile before another one for me.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: longbow man on November 11, 2014, 01:18:44 pm
    Sorry to hear it Matt. We lost Ginger a few years ago and I still miss her. Funny how a dog can pull at your heart strings so.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: Pat B on November 11, 2014, 01:36:49 pm
It's always hard but it is our responsibility to do what is needed to keep out pets from suffering. We have had to put down 3 dogs since we've lived here for the last 24 years and a few before that. Our cat, Lawrence, that lived 25 years let us off the hook by just going to sleep one night and not waking up.
  Sorry for your loss.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: Blackcoyote on November 11, 2014, 07:13:25 pm
Matt, sorry for the loss....losing a pet is tough, but the bond with a bird dog is beyond words.

We found out our English setter whose 12 has a brain tumor, and may have had a slight stroke...he went from a neurotic full of energy bird dog, to one who just lays around and sleeps, wobbles at times, and needs help on getting up on stuff. I feel we're just counting the days till he goes down hill worse.

So I hope Sage has the wind in her face, the pheasants sit tight, and she runs the fields till she's happy and exhausted waiting on you!

-Drew
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: BarredOwl on November 13, 2014, 09:31:25 pm
Sorry to hear it for sure.  I have a German Shorthair that is about nine years old and not near old enough yet.  She is getting bad in the hips.  I am paying the vet about $100 a month for meds that I really can't afford so she can still kinda keep up with us in the yard.  She was given to me by my best friend and bird hunting buddy who died in a vehicle accident about a year after I got her so I kind of feel like she is my last connection to him.  I absolutely dread the day she can't get up and go anymore.   I think she knows our days are getting short.  She hates to not be with me and I even believe she tries real hard to not let on that she is in pain after a long day of following me around the yard.  If everyone treated each other as good as our dogs treat us this would be a wonderful world.   

I like the red osier/arrow idea.   
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: sleek on November 13, 2014, 09:46:31 pm
Mine shed allot being a husky. I took as much of her shed hair I could find, twisted it into string and wrapped it around my hat band on my cowboy hat. Shes with me everytime I wear it. She is also buried at my hunting spot. Things like that comfort me. Im sure you can think of things to do to honor and remember.
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 16, 2014, 05:58:46 pm
I have the ashes of my best friend, Scully, at the foot of my bed where she felt happiest.  Almost three years gone.  Once in a rare while a day goes by that I don't feel the loss. 
Title: Re: Had to put my girl down today. Not a good day.
Post by: SA on November 16, 2014, 07:24:00 pm
Sorry for your loss  it's never easy , I had to put my 11 yr old boxer down a couple of weeks ago she had a seizures from brain tumor and didn't come out if it . It started last year and was on phenobarbital and did really well until the last few weeks . The only thing that makes it easier is knowing they don't have to suffer anymore,she was a really good dog .