New dog! Don't give up...

[Steve007]

For those members that are getting slightly older (this is ironic humor) and are perhaps not hunting as much as they did -- or possibly based on health, not at all --- I would like to encourage you to keep pushing ahead with a new dog. Possibly even a different breed. And possibly, even a new dog sport.

We all know that dogs add enormously to our lives, but if your dog life has revolved around hunting, you may start to think that dogs require hunting or that your continued interaction with a dog requires hunting. That is not so.

For various reasons, I let myself get down to one dog -- no point going into detail about what a great guy he was-- and five months ago he passed away at close to 15. You know how traumatic it can be, and it seems worse if he is your only dog. I can assure you I was in pretty sad shape.

A week ago, I got a new dog, a three-year-old wirehair, and she instantly took me from extreme depression to a really optimistic mindset. I have house dogs and write books professionally (business books). My dogs go to the office with me every day, so I interact with my dogs more than most. I rarely admit it, but the calendar says I am 77. The idea of being alone for the rest of my life -- please don't tell my wife I said that-- was just crushing, but this little dog has really picked me up. We are starting to do some training, and it really is interesting to start with a brand-new dog, though one who doesn't know very much. I have a background in competition obedience work (as well as FT, etc.), so that's what we're doing, but it really doesn't matter. It's just the interaction and working with a bright new friend.

In any case, if the calendar claims you are older than you really are and if your health allows it, I simply mention that perhaps a different dog sport or even a different breed ---if the larger dogs get difficult for you -- will add to your life. The long gone Ezzy who was on this board and passed away at the age of 83 used to tell me something similar. He was right.

[slistoe]

Love this post!

[Sharon]

I enjoyed your post but could only wish......
As they say , the age number has little to do with it. I am 78.
I have Parkinson's disease and am in a wheel chair.
I can no longer care for a dog let alone walk in the bush.
Those that can should be very thankful daily.
I enjoy reading others dog posts ; keep posting.

[Steve007]

I enjoyed your post but could only wish......

James Barrie, Scottish novelist who also wrote a number of plays including "Peter Pan", observed that "God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December."

Pretty good thought process...

[Sharon]

That is so true.

[mask]

Thanks for posting Steve. I won't see 77 or 78 again but I am still looking to elk and chukar season. Being positive and optimistic will keep us all around longer.