Had to say good-bye today

[huey graphite]

It's been far too long since I've been on here. Started a new job back in March that occupies way too much of my time. Very little time to check out the forum and even less time to fish. Back in February I wrote a post about my yellow lab Jesse. She had gone in for surgery on her left hind leg after a full blown cruciate tear. Unfortunately it was a little too late. Her other legs were not strong enough to support her long enough for the injury to heal and she had a terrible time walking ever since. Earlier this week we made the most difficult decision I have ever had to and today we took her in to be put down. Part of me realizes keeping her around longer would have been selfish. Part of me feels like I betrayed her. She was by far the most dosile and affectionate animal I had ever seen. She had to be at my side whenever I was home and followed me everywhere. While I was away she refused to eat. My wife would pick up our daughter to the school bus stop each day and all the kids would get off the bus, run past their parents and straight to Jesse.

 

She would have been 10 next week. She was given to us at the age of 6 after being retired from retriever trial competitions. It was her intense training that made her so obedient but also led to her legs giving out.

 

One day in July, I was wearing my chest waders and fishing for bass in a river near Georgian Bay. I was lucky enough to get 1 smallmouth that day. Jesse, however was able to retrieve 3 or 4 dead bass on the surface and bring them to shore. I have yet to live that down.

 

I just felt the need to share. I've attached a picture.

 

[rickster]

So sorry to hear this

I think you did the right thing

never easy to lose a friend like that

 

great looking dog

[hammercarp]

That's always a rough one. Seems to me that labs are special dogs, they grow on you like no other. My sympathy.

[ctdd2006]

been there! Never easy, yet the right thing to do. Your heart of hearts knows your "best friend" is thankful!

Edited December 6, 2008 by ctdd2006

[Dano]

Hard to find a better friend, sorry for your loss.

[Bernie]

Very sad for you and your buddy.

 

Have a 10 year old retriever who greets me at the door everyday without fail.

[Twocoda]

13 years ago i lost my Aussie ( Max ) prematurely...i could never bring myself around to getting another ( Max even saved my life).... until recently ( 5 months) we added a new addition to the family...not an Aussie but a Golden Retiever...Zoe is her name and when i walk through the door she literally shakes of excitement to see me ( kinda like Dino with Flintstone)....Now that Zoe is here i have come to realize what i have been missing for 13 years...Dogs truely are a mans best friend so dont deprive yourself like i did....13 years is way too long !!!!

Max is etched in the memory banks of my life but Im really looking forward to the memories that will come with Zoe.....

 

Condolences for the loss of Jesse and as stated before ...in your heart of hearts ...you did the right thing

 

Now lets se if i can post a pic of Zoe

 

 

 

[Big Cliff]

You did what had to be done, as you said, keeping her around while she suffered would have been selfish.

 

Keep her in your heart forever.

[lew]

Sorry to hear the sad news huey, she sounded like quite the dog.

 

A good dog is about the best friend a man can ask for, but it sounds like you made the best choice for her so she wouldn't be hurting anymore.

[bigugli]

You did what was best for your friend.

[mistyriver1]

Sorry to hear about this. You did the right thing, although I'm sure it doesn't feel that way right now. As dog owners, I guess it's always something that's in the back of your mind that you hope you never have to face. They sure do become part of the family.

[douG]

You manned up and did the last, best thing for Jesse. I'm sorry for your loss.

[2 tone z71]

I skipped reading your post cause the title says it all ,lost my Best friend 2 summers back early in life brings a tear just writing this short reply,sorry for your loss

[tnt]

As everyone has said, it is such a hard decision to say goodbye. We put down our pup the day before I got married and it was awful. She is still with me and I know she is in a better place and feeling great.....probably sniffin other dogs buts. You did a great thing for your friend!

[Fishitrist]

Sorry for your loss, I just had to put our dog down 2 weeks ago, she was 11, man it is tough to do, do like I did go out and get another as soon as you can,it helps ease the pain a bit, nothing will ever take her place but this seems to help.

[Rich Clemens]

I feel your pain bud. I had to put down my best bud last February and it's still tough almost a year later. I still keep her picture on my desk and home and here at work. Even as I type this, I see her picture and it ain't easy keeping the eyes dry. Sorry to hear about your loss.

[Dozer]

Just remember, that your dog couldn't of had a better life. Lucky enough that it found a home after being retired. You gave it the gift of life

[Hellfish]

Sorry to hear that, it has to be one of the toughest things to do when you have to play god and shorten such a precious life, Just remember she will be waiting for you up there.

[misfish]

Brought back some memories that brought tears to these eyes.

I had to let my Winchester(Winnie) go. I cried like a baby.

 

Sorry to hear,but you did the right thing.

[huey graphite]

Thanks to all for your kind words and Twocoda, that is one cute pup.

 

HG

[FLEX ROD]

To put a companion to rest is much harder than thinking that all is okay.

 

This friend, was loyal to you and what you did was being loyal back to her.

 

Good luck

 

FLEX - John

[The Urban Fisherman]

That's a tough thing to swallow brother - but as many have said you did the right thing for your pup. At least now she's with you, everywhere you go.

 

Cheers,

UF

[corvette1]

know how you feel its never easy

[irishfield]

Sorry for the loss Huey... never easy, but always the right call. I just hope someone can do it for me when the time comes.

[bukee]

You did the very difficult but right thing for Jesse. What a great looking dog.

 

I have a yellow lab that will be 10 in March, he has been a great dog and just follows me everywhere. I retired him from duck hunting this year because it was just to painful to watch him limp around for the next few days after a hunt. This morning after our walk he was limping on his back left leg, usually goes away after a day or two. Hope that I will be as strong as you when it's "Trout's" time to go.