To all the good ones

[Tim Tufts]

I wrote this in memory of all the good bird dogs I've owned, bred, and judged over the last 55 years.


"bleep" Old Dog

When that chilly old blue norther tears the colours from the trees
And the flight birds get the urge to up and leave
It’s then I’d get the boots oiled and shoulder up the gun
It’s then you’d get your youth back and remember how to run

You were always much too headstrong casting out for far too long
Full of notions and a will that would not bend
But your casts seemed to grow shorter with the evening coming on
Smell of gun oil, smokey whiskey, and a wet dog at days end

The spirit was too eager and the hound was just too old
The freeze came on to early and you couldn’t take the cold
I was down to one of our old haunts out back the other day
Now I’m wishing it would snow enough to take your tracks away

I still see you in the morning when the frost cuts through the air
I still smell you when the dampness fills the room
I remember how I cursed you cleaning mud off of my chair
And I cry to think they took you home away from me so soon

There were times you’d work so pretty that you’d please most any eye
Then there’s times I’d almost bring about your end
Now the sun’s gone down the fire’s gone out the bottles nearly dry
And that "bleep" old dog has done me once again.

[weimdogman]

Great writing!

[deseeker]

Far too many have passed on , but they have left me with a lot of good memories

[nevermind]

Enjoyed very much... thanks for sharing

[ckirsch]

You are a gifted writer. Your words paint pictures and convey emotions that likely resonate with most on this forum.

Sorry about your dog. My guess is that he felt the same way about you.

[Sharon]

So well said Tim ; anyone who has lost a dog can relate.

[Max2]

Far too many have passed on , but they have left me with a lot of good memories

& smiles . So many times while afield I think of my past dogs and a smile and a good feeling comes over me. Out there with a new candidate who's coming into his own and so many times I feel Jax & Max standing there with me saying " he'll get it" Nothing worse then when we have say good by to them . Turns our worlds upside down but as time goes on the smiles start show'n up everytime we think of them...

To the O/P sorry for the side track - enjoyed your post !

[birddogger2]

Thank you Tim.

Your words ring true for anyone who has walked behind(or sat in a blind next to) a gundog.

I'll raise a glass tonight to all the ones I remember.

RayG

[NEhomer]

Just terrfic stuff. Thanks for posting it~

[seadog]

Hit home for sure , lost both my dogs in the last 8 months .

[MNTonester]

Funny how an old beloved dog can turn us into poets. Just prior to our old Lab Chaz's passing I wrote this:

The old dog lies before the fire, he whimpers now and then.
His dreams are filled with glorious deeds remembrances of when
His limbs could take him anywhere. No cover barred his way.
Rain, nor wind, nor freezing cold could never make him stay.
The hunt, and masters loving touch were things that fired his mind.
The gamebird’s scent, the feel of feathers, the treasures he could find.
He started out a gangly thing, delightful as can be. A playful puppy playing fetch;
He grew in size and loyalty. His master’s partner, on the trail,
The smell of Autumn fields, a shot is fired, he marks the fall, he locates without fail.
He knows his master’s hunting clothes, the shotgun, and the season.
He notes the color of the leaves; he doesn’t have to reason if there is no other
Purpose for his being there. The two of them have formed a bond
that time can never rend. It is as if they look beyond the trials that lie ahead.
Through all his years, his faithful years he’s been there at his side;
It’s just not right to feel this way, so this is time and tide.
He lifts his old grey muzzle, with effort gains his feet. He looks at me with cloudy eyes
And our gazes meet. I cup his face between my hands and gently scratch his chin.
I speak his name, his tail wags, he nudges closer in. I wish that I could give him
Some of my time I have left. I know he’d do the same for me (perhaps he already has).
I know his thoughts, he’s telling me, “don’t ever leave me home. I have one more hunt to share with you wherever you may roam. My failing legs will find the strength, my nose will lead us true, don’t miss the one last opportunity I have to spend with you.”
He sleeps now by the fire and dreams of bygone birds. He yips and barks and freely runs and in his dreaming girds himself for his last hunt before he goes away. Rest well, dear friend, it’s now my turn to dream of hunts we shared and then join you some day.

[Tim Tufts]

Brought tears to my eyes,
Lovely thoughts.
As we move along more and more of our life revolves around memories vs. actions.

[MNTonester]

Funny how an old beloved dog can turn us into poets. Just prior to our old Lab Chaz's passing I wrote this:

The old dog lies before the fire, he whimpers now and then.
His dreams are filled with glorious deeds remembrances of when
His limbs could take him anywhere. No cover barred his way.
Rain, nor wind, nor freezing cold could ever make him stay.
The hunt, and masters loving touch were things that fired his mind.
The gamebird’s scent, the feel of feathers, the treasures he could find.
He started out a gangly thing, delightful as can be. A playful puppy playing fetch;
He grew in size and loyalty. His master’s partner, on the trail,
The smell of Autumn fields, a shot is fired, he marks the fall, he locates without fail.
He knows his master’s hunting clothes, the shotgun, and the season.
He notes the color of the leaves; he doesn’t have to reason if there is no other
Purpose for his being there. The two of them have formed a bond
that time can never rend. It is as if they look beyond the trials that lie ahead.
Through all his years, his faithful years he’s been there at his side;
It’s just not right to feel this way, so this is time and tide.
He lifts his old grey muzzle, with effort gains his feet. He looks at me with cloudy eyes
And our gazes meet. I cup his face between my hands and gently scratch his chin.
I speak his name, his tail wags, he nudges closer in. I wish that I could give him
Some of my time I have left. I know he’d do the same for me (perhaps he already has).
I know his thoughts, he’s telling me, “don’t ever leave me home. I have one more hunt to share with you wherever you may roam. My failing legs will find the strength, my nose will lead us true, don’t miss the one last opportunity I have to spend with you.”
He sleeps now by the fire and dreams of bygone birds. He yips and barks and freely runs and in his dreaming girds himself for his last hunt before he goes away. Rest well, dear friend, it’s now my turn to dream of hunts we shared and then join you some day.

[Sharon]

Now I'm bringing up an old thread. because my dog passed over today......(9 years old with cancer) . I've had 9 dogs in my lifetime and had to put 8 down ( one was stolen), but it is never easier as you know. This thread really encouraged me. Because of Parkinson's Disease , this dog was my last dog , which makes it even harder. Thank you for these wonderful posts friends.

[Garrison]

Now I'm bringing up an old thread. because my dog passed over today......(9 years old with cancer) . I've had 9 dogs in my lifetime and had to put 8 down ( one was stolen), but it is never easier as you know. This thread really encouraged me. Because of Parkinson's Disease , this dog was my last dog , which makes it even harder. Thank you for these wonderful posts friends.

It saddens me to hear this Sharon, sorry for your loss…..Any possibility of a trained assistance dog? You have been helping them long enough, maybe you can find one to start helping you.

Thanks for everything you do, you are very much appreciated.

Garrison

[BlessedGirl]

I'm sorry to hear that, Sharon. It's sad losing a canine friend. They are so loyal and devoted which makes it even harder.... <3

[ckirsch]

Sorry, Sharon. I can only imagine what it will be like to say goodbye to my final dog. Probably won't be too far off for me so I'm reminding myself to enjoy every second I get with mine.

I sure hope you'll remain involved in the forum. It would seem emptier without you.

[Sharon]

Thank you. I'm not going anywhere.

[marysburg]

Oh Sharon, I just saw this thread. So sorry to hear of your last dog passing. So many of us are getting to that stage, and we surely feel your pain. I think the idea of a service dog for you is a really good one, that is if you think you are up for it. Glad to hear that you will still be keeping us inspired and on the "straight and narrow" here on the forum. All the best, marysburg