Lost a good friend.

[Turk]

Last week we had to put our Golden Retriever down due to severe illness. He was old and had a great life.

I need your help in finding a Golden Retriever breeder in the upper mid-west. The most important thing for me is the dog's disposition around children, then pheasant hunting.

I won't be purchasing for 6 months, but want to get my homework done before we make a decision.

Thanks for your help.

[Juls_WI]

You have my sympathies. I have a golden too (Jack), and they are one lovable dog, with a heart matched by none. I can only imagine what you're feeling. I dread that day.

I can't help you with the breeder info. Jack's line is screwed up with allergies, so I wouldn't recommend them.

Good luck finding your next partner. I hope you find one with a big heart, like my Lil'buddy...;-)

Juls

[Targa_Wi]

Hi Turk, my feelings go out to you on your loss. I've been down that road twice, both with labs. It is never easy to lose such a good friend. Can't help you first hand on the golden retriever breeder as I have always had labs, but check the classifieds in outdoor publications such as Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, Midwest Outdoors, Wisconsin Sportsman etc, there are usually adds in there for dog breeders. Tim NPAA # 548

[Erie addict]

You have my deepist sympathies. I lost my 11 year old Blk Lab last march suddenly. Last year fishing alone just seemed strange. Any way, you might try to contact the AKC @ www.akc.org They hooked my wife up with a organization that tries to find homes for rescued dogs. My wife got a 8 month old Chocolate lab from them. Great dog, just needed a loving home and some obedeince training.

[tj1n]

Turk, Sorry to hear the news.

I've never felt a greater loss than when my last lab passed. I've never lost any immediate family closer than grandparents, but the passing of my DOG has definitely been the toughest for me and my youngest son. My dogs go everywhere I do!

My thoughts are with ya,

I do know great lab breeders, but can't help with Goldens.

Travis J.

[JimRK]

Turk,
Sorry to heard of your lost. I have been thru it a couple of times, and it seems to get harder each time. I have to wait a few years before I get a new companion, but sure am looking forward to it. Back in Novenmber on Tony Dean's site there was a post about Golden breeders. Check out 'Lotsa response on Golden Retrievers' dated 2001-11-06. Good luck in your search for a new pal.

[bluelund]

Turk,

The toughest day of my life was the day I had to put my golden down. Chester was my constant companion for ten years. He was always ready to go no matter where it was and he loved the boat rides. I waited for a few months after he died before I started looking for a new dog. I found an organization based in St Louis Park MN called RAGOM. It stands for Retrieve A Golden of Minnesota and they specialize in re-homing goldens that have been surrendered for one reason or another. I got a great dog from them and he has bonded with me just as if I had gotten him as a puppy. I think he realizes what he was facing and I can't say enough good things about him and their organization. Their website is www.ragom.org check them out, they maybe what you are looking for. My email address is RRobertJMartin@cs.com if you have any questions feel free to contact me.

Take care and good fishing,

Bob M

[Atomic Eye]

Tirk,

Sorry that you lost your buddy. Here's a quote that helps explain why we miss our dogs so much:

"Advice from a dog: When loved ones come home, always hurry to greet them with affection."

And here is something I wrote about the difficulty of deciding when you have to put your dog down:

WHEN TO LET GO?

Remember me whenever you came home?
My tail beat like a metronome.
Remember me how I slept at your feet?
Your companionship comforted me so sweet.

Remember our play in the sun's rays?
We were both puppies in those days.
Now, I can no longer play.
Yet, you care and comfort my stay.

But, don't care too much.
Spring is followed by fall.
And my fall is quite near.
Farewell is soon, that's clear.

I'm near the end of my time with you.
We've shared all we can, but adieu.
I can give you no more. Nor, you me.
Is it time to set my spirit free?

We have been so close,
Our lives intertwined.
Because you care, I know,
It's hard to decide "When to let go?"


-Stan K.
The day he "let go" of his yeller lab, Major - July 30, 1993.

[narrows in mind]

I put my loyal / actually my dad took my GT in- I could'nt(3 years ago). I'll never get another one I get to attached. Mine went thru ##### with 1 surgery for 1.5" staples in her stomach!! Another time a friend caught her leg w/ a brusher cutter and only strands held it on but they fixed it up good. She also had the heart worm treatment. My daughter and I still miss her. What a great dog for approx. 17years!

[JonM]

Here's a website to help cheer you up.

http://www.bewitchedgoldens.com

We're buying a Golden this spring from this breeder. Dogs have good dispositions and they're bred to hunt.

[Atomic Eye]

Narrows in Mind,

It's because of the unfailing, unconditional, cheerful companionship our dogs have for us that we get so close to them (look at the short quote I put at the beginning of my post above). It's exceedingly painful to say goodbye, but the years of close comeraderie more than balance that for most of us. It's a personal decision on what matters most.

My close buddy that I referred to in the above post, Major, went through very deep, painful surgery for cancer that put >100 stitches in him. I will not put another of my buddies through such "heroic" measures again to try to stretch out a little more time before "I have to let go." I will let him go with more dignity and less pain in the future.

Atomic Eye -- "Gone Fission!"

[EyeJacker]

My long time Buddy is very close to making the cross over. He is now blind and nearly totally deaf. Although, he does not seem to be in pain and his appetite is still good, he sleeps almost all day. Words fail to express the depth of my sadness. We have had many adventures together plying the waters and prowling the woods. About I year ago he could no longer negotiate these trips afield. A sad day it was for both, indeed. Although he is not a big dog (minature Schnauzer) he is gargantuan in spirit. I have never heard him growl, never. He loved everyone (man and dog) from the very fist meeting and thought everyone should love him as well. Every now and then he would encounter someone (person or dog) that did not cotton to the unbridled exuberance employed in making new friends. This ocassional rebuff would deeply wound him for awhile. But, true to the magnitude and resilience of his spirit, it never permantly modified his enthusiastic greetings. I dread the approaching day and will miss him more than I could ever express. The tears are flowing freely as I contemplate the proximity of the inevitable.

[Wawajake]

Turk
I went thru what you are two years ago , and we waited till last month to find another Golden retreiver. We pick up our 8 week old "Dawson Gold Rush " tommorrow so your post is timely.
We searched the market by using www.breeders.net you just punch in your state or province and zip code and breed you want and ussually quite a few choices come up.

now for our housetraining in winter should be fun !!
jake

[sib]

I had a great one, too. A Chocolate female named Kewee(short for Keweenaw). Still think of her to this day. Swore I'd never go through that again.

Then, I got a call from a friend one day. He said he had a buddy that needed to find a great home for a Chocolate. I was skeptical, but agreed to an interview with the dog and kept him over a weekend. Wow, was that dog raw and untrained, but there was a great dog under all that rawness.

I convinced myself I was doing a good service and took the dog. I worked hard with him(he was 2 yrs old) and it wasn't as easy as working with a pup, but I finished him up pretty good. That was 10 years ago and he's still killing the shrubs today.

As far as not growing attached to this one, doesn't quite work that way for me. I'm a sap, LOL, they just find a way to get to my soft spot. Everyday, after a hard grind at work and an inhospitable 30 min. drive, who's there, tickled to see me? Yup, old 4 legs. When we walk up to the house for dinner, work is long from my mind.

[Steve]

I feel for you my friend, have been through it myself, it doesnt get much worse. Simply remember all of the great times you shared together and how that tail would wag, your special friends way of telling you how great spending time with you was as well...