My 12 year old Llewellin Setter Duke went to the Rainbow Bridge two weeks ago. It's amazing how we dawg lovers allow these animals to become such an integral part of our life.

Duke was the 7th gun dawg I've owned in my 62 years. One might think that losing a dawg would get easier as you get older. It isn't. I cried all the way to the clinic, during the last 15 minutes of Duke's life while I was with him and his life-long vet, and all the way back home. Then I had to face a crying Carol and Grandma who both loved Duke dearly too. I intentionally left without them knowing that this was "the" trip for Duke. They woudn't have been able to deal with saying a final goodbye to him.

Dr. Jerry examined Duke, felt his pronounced chest tumors and, knowing that his stools had turned black recently, reassured me that this was Duke's time, irrespective of any other reasons.

Duke is now in a better place with other of my passed gun dawgs, only one of which he had the pleasure of knowing and hunting with. I'm sure that they will be running through the grassy cover again together. Just like the Bridge poem ... young and free of pain, happily running and playing together until that time when they both stop, look up, stare intently and they then hear a familar voice calling out ... "C'mon boys, hunt em up, good dawgs".

Here's Duke a few months ago just before Xmas, his favorite time of the year since he was no longer able to hunt. Duke, my yellar Lab Cappy, and I were discussing where to hide their "mommie and grandma's" presents.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/080778.jpg (http://www.hunt101.com/?p=80778&c=500&z=1)

This was Duke's last Supper with us on Sunday evening. He and my yellar Lab Cappy stared intently as I cut up a rare ground sirloin dinner for them at the table. Can you blame me? Poor 'ole fella looked and felt so old and tired.

http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php?photo=103686&size=big&password=&sort=1&thecat=

Rest in peace sweet Dukie boy ... Daddy will see you again one day on the other side of the bridge.

Great pictures as usual Nevada Jim. We were all so sorry to hear about the loss of Duke, and you have a very eloquent way of writing about it. Just goes to show how much you love your dawgs and how much they love you back. You have a very special relationship with them.

Again, NJ what a great tribute to your furkid. I love what you wrote under the March Photo contest...how nice that your vet was that thoughtful.

Jim - Thanks for sharing such a great tribute with us. Sitting here at work with the tears just flowing! My goodness, they are special aren't they?

I came across this picture of Duke and Cappy recently. It was taken the week before duck season started last fall and I was repairing decoys to get them ready.

Duke HATED ducks and duck hunting. But he sure loved upland bird hunting andhe especially loved his Daddy. He was at my side whenever and wherever possible.

ps ... look closely in that picture and you'll see that Cappy had something (a tennis ball) in his mouth. Whenever either of the dawgs were getting attention from Daddy, the other would invariably "fetch something" to Daddy for his share of the attention too. Hehe ... these boys just cracked me up together.

At least now when I post a pic or share a story, I can do it without the tears streaming ... well, uhhh ... almost. But these are happy tears now.

Great shots Nevada Jim. I along with the rest of the posters on this thread can't say enough about how you put things into words. A very fitting tribute to Duke. I am glad you are having some smiles about Duke now instead of all sadness.

Originally posted by justloafing
Great shots Nevada Jim. I along with the rest of the posters on this thread can't say enough about how you put things into words. A very fitting tribute to Duke. I am glad you are having some smiles about Duke now instead of all sadness.

justloafing you said it better than I could have put it into words....Alike most of us who feel saddened when one of loved ones crosses the bridge, I sit back and try to think of the good times we shared together and that cheers me up....

:)

As I said above ... I've owned six gun dawgs prior to Duke, over the years. I really do understand that they are God's creations and are merely loaned to us for awhile. This poem is a wonderful reminder of that ...

I will lend to you for a while, a Pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives and mourn for him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three,
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and (should his stay be brief) You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my Pup back again?

I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy Will be Done,"
For all the joys this Pup will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness; we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed, your wishes to achieve,
In memory of him we loved to help us while we grieve,
When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife,
We'll have yet another Pup, and love him all his life.

-- Author unknown

This is the very week that God's "loan" arrived ...

http://www.hunt101.com/img/047378.jpg (http://www.hunt101.com/?p=47378&c=500&z=1)

Nevada Jim, I will make a copy of the poem and show my wife when I get home....it's so true...