Jill , Gone but not forgotten. Nov 96- Jan 07

Post by **Cranfield** » November 22nd, 2007, 5:47 pm

You have lost a good friend and I sympathise.

The only comfort you can have is that she had a full life, doing what she loved doing.

Post by **Wadey** » November 22nd, 2007, 8:56 pm

You gave Jill the life she deserved, a free spirit who was born to hunt and please, you should be proud of yourself, in the same way that she is proud, to have had such a good friend in you .

Post by **Dubble Trubble** » November 22nd, 2007, 9:00 pm

BB,

Over the years, I have lost several of my "best friends". I ain't an easy thing to have happen.

But each one I still miss in a different way, and am glad I had them for the short time I did.

Some were smart, and some were not so smart (ok they were stupid

), but they all could make me feel better on a day when things did not go so well for me, and they never asked for a single thing...

Just get you another puppy, and start some new memories....somewhere out there, there is a pup waiting to become your new "best friend".

Dubble

Post by **BAD BEHAVIOR** » November 22nd, 2007, 9:29 pm

Thanks guys. I went to the deer stand this evening and some guys were having a doveshoot across the way. It brought back a lot of fond memories of my Jill and helped me to realize Its time, like Dubble said, to find me a new friend. Thanks again.

yellow dog · Post by **yellow dog** » November 22nd, 2007, 10:02 pm

sorry to hear about u loss i know i would be devasted if i was to lose my my girl

Post by **dolphinatic** » November 22nd, 2007, 10:14 pm

BB....sorry to hear about your loss. My lab is older than all 3 of my kids

She'll be 14 years old next month......we've been really fortunate to have her all these years. Thanks for sharing the great story and the memories.....

Here's a picture I took today of my Pepper.......

Post by **BAD BEHAVIOR** » November 22nd, 2007, 10:38 pm

Take care of them! You never know when youre gonna come home to an empty driveway.

November 23rd, 2007, 10:44 am

BB, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I teared up when I read your post. I am crazy about my Springer and if something happened to him, I would take a while to get over it. My last dog (austrialian shephard) died after 9 years and I never thought I would get over him. Until the day I got my Springer "Berkley" and he has really helped fill that gap. Hang in there Bud, it will get easier.

Terrier · Post by **Terrier** » November 23rd, 2007, 8:20 pm

BB - The only thing worse than loosing a dog is never having had one. Some time in the future you'll get another dog and the bond with it won't replace the bond with the one you lost but will will add a new bond, just as intense and just as special. My condolences

Post by **BAD BEHAVIOR** » November 23rd, 2007, 8:41 pm

Thanks a bunch guys. We had a stellar day at all three stores today and the busy day took my mind off her a little. Time heals all wounds and this to will pass. I know I ll never have another girl like my Jill but I will have another hunting partner soon. Im just gonna take my time and when I see the right one, Ill know. Then the awesome cycle of bringing out the skill and keen hunting abilities that only that special dog will have will begin and we will then begin our days in the field. Thanks a ton for all your support and understanding that nothing is more important to a wing hunter than his wing hunting friend. Few dogs can have the exact same passion and drive as you put forth as a hunter. If the dogs worth its salt, she'll match you step for step and wonder what the hell youre thinking when you say lets head for the hill. Thanks again, BB

mojokoko · Post by **mojokoko** » November 23rd, 2007, 9:11 pm

Sorry about your dog!
My dog passed away earlier this year. I'm 25 years old right now and I have had that dog since I was in 4th or 5th grade.

Post by **big bend gyrene** » November 23rd, 2007, 9:13 pm

Bad Behavior, my heartfelt condolences. Have lost about a half dozen dogs in my 40 years and none have been easy. Over the last 10 years or so I've grown especially fond of goofy Great Danes, as they stay playful pups for about 3 years (at least seems like it

) but they bring sadness quickly too as they have a tendency to wear out their large hearts early - lost my last very unexpectedly at age 5, though he had been through parvo and other problems as a pup that likely played a role in his early death.

Seeing all the posts of strong bonds we sportsman share with our dogs reminds me of one of the few poems I truly am able to fully appreciate - should warn in advance it's a tearjerker almost every time I read it though I consistently ignore it's advice and never fail to find me another great friend:

The Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumor, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Post by **GAJOEY** » November 23rd, 2007, 10:02 pm

taking your time is the best thing to do.You'll know when the right dog finds you.

Post by **BAD BEHAVIOR** » November 24th, 2007, 12:55 am

Awesome poem. Thanks for the inspiration.

Post by **Rhettley** » November 27th, 2007, 9:51 pm

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. The loss of a really good dog is hard to bear. I lost a great one named Katie on Oct. 29th, 2005 and the only time I cried harder was when I lost a child.

One thing I did that helped was to go through all our pictures and write the story of our life together with the pictures and I posted it on the FS forum. It was very theraputic to go back and put all the stories into print. I hope this helps you.