Goodbye old friend

  • Steve Plantz
    SE MN
    Posts: 12240
    May 25, 2011 at 2:53 am #1272411

    They say that every man gets one great dog in his lifetime, Abby my German Shorthair Pointer was that dog for me. We got Abby when she was just a pup and my daughter Emily was just two years old so these two grew up together and were best buds from the start. Abby was the first and only hunting dog I have ever had, I had dogs growing up as a kid but never a hunting dog. Abby taught me early on to trust her nose, she was a natural born hunter she was a bird hunting machine!!! I never had to teach her how to hunt it was in her blood, she was very eager to please and took to obedience training very quickly she was a very smart dog. Abby had turned 14 years old on May 11 and was in very good shape for 14 years old many people would comment that they could not believe how old she was. Last Friday she unexpectedly took ill her legs gave out from under her and she was limp as a ragdoll with no energy. She did not appear to be in any pain or distress, she would rest up and go outside for a while then come back in the house and collapse again just exhausted from her short time on her feet. Sometimes she would not even make it back into the house and I would have to carry her back inside to her bed. Abby lost her fight this afternoon with my wife Wendy by her side when she passed. The quote below is from Wendy’s Facebook page & the first pic is one of my favorites of my three girls at one of my favorite places Everts Resort, the second pic is her first hunt at a game farm when she was less than a year old I have no idea who that kid is with her in that pic (thanks for the great pics that day Al ) good memories to be sure! So long old girl you will be missed.

    Quote:

    Our dear Abby passed away at 12:30 this afternoon. She had turned 14 years old on May 11. She had hopped up on the couch for a soft place to lie while I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth. I came out and knew she was getting comfortable to go. I stroked her and told her how much we loved her, and she quietly passed on. She is running in the fields along side the pheasants as we speak!









    a.j.-wiesner
    Ely,MN / Rochester,MN
    Posts: 929
    May 25, 2011 at 2:57 am #968797

    sorry to hear that steve.

    arklite881south
    Posts: 5660
    May 25, 2011 at 3:00 am #968798

    Sorry for you Loss Steve. She’ll be burning up the fields in the sky with my best hunting buddy “Shaq Daddy”. He was my best hunting dog and family pet that nearly brought tears to my eyes……AGAIN when hearing about your Pointer!!

    Those born to be hunting dogs are truly mans best friend Steve. She lived a good long life for a hunting dog at 14 years of age.

    cat dude
    Arlington, MN
    Posts: 1389
    May 25, 2011 at 3:16 am #968804

    Very tough loss for the whole family.

    very sorry to hear of this and we know the dog is better now with no pain at all.

    After I had put my last dog to sleep I said I would never get another as I did not believe I could go through that again.

    2 weeks later, our vet called and they had a little pup that was dumped by the owner and now Annie is my new pride and joy.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    May 25, 2011 at 3:31 am #968813

    Out of the 10,000 reasons to have a dog, there’s only one reason to not have one.

    The day we have to say…

    “So long old girl you will be missed.”

    huskerdu
    Posts: 592
    May 25, 2011 at 3:44 am #968821

    I lost a Vizsla 2 years ago (Huskerdu was the dogs name), I have a 3 year old also, I have had the pleasure of a couple great hunting pointers over the years. I would not be the same person without a hound or two around. I miss all that have passed more than some people, sorry for your loss. Huskerdu

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    May 25, 2011 at 3:48 am #968819

    I know your feeling too well Steve… You cant replace them,
    just cherish their memories…

    FlambeauVista
    Park Falls, WI
    Posts: 264
    May 25, 2011 at 4:47 am #968827

    I’m sorry for your loss. May the memories of your time together ease the pain of her passing.

    Jack Naylor
    Apple Valley, MN
    Posts: 5668
    May 25, 2011 at 5:55 am #968833

    Steve,
    Sorry to hear to Abby’s passing, way too tough.
    Great pictures,
    Many years to great times together are wonderful memories.
    Jack

    Grouse_Dog
    The Shores of Lake Harriet
    Posts: 2043
    May 25, 2011 at 6:40 am #968842

    Sad Day –

    Sorry for your loss –

    You know a good bird dog – when you have had the pleasure of owning one.

    They are amazing creatures and a treasure – enjoy the memories.

    Dog

    KirtH
    Lakeville
    Posts: 4063
    May 25, 2011 at 10:20 am #968858

    Sorry to hear about the loss of a great friend.

    sliderfishn
    Blaine, MN
    Posts: 5432
    May 25, 2011 at 11:32 am #939812

    Sorry to hear about your loss Steve

    TroyRozeske
    Burnsville MN
    Posts: 208
    May 25, 2011 at 11:35 am #968851

    So sorry to hear about you loss. Looks like you will have always have great memories!

    stuwest
    Elmwood, WI
    Posts: 2254
    May 25, 2011 at 12:11 pm #968878

    Remember, she’s at the Bridge scouting out all those good pheasant spots, waiting for you…

    DrewH
    s/w WI.
    Posts: 1404
    May 25, 2011 at 12:17 pm #968880

    Sorry for your loss.

    farmboy1
    Mantorville, MN
    Posts: 3668
    May 25, 2011 at 12:33 pm #968885

    Sorry to hear about your Abby. It is always tough to loss a good friend.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    May 25, 2011 at 12:35 pm #968886

    Sorry for your loss.

    John Schultz
    Inactive
    Portage, WI
    Posts: 3309
    May 25, 2011 at 12:40 pm #968890

    Sorry for your loss Steve. Never easy losing a friend.

    Jeremiah Shaver
    La Crosse, WI
    Posts: 4941
    May 25, 2011 at 12:40 pm #968891

    Everytime I read one of these on here I get teary eyed…..Sorry for your loss Steve….

    Wade Boardman
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 4453
    May 25, 2011 at 12:56 pm #968897

    Quote:

    Everytime I read one of these on here I get teary eyed…..Sorry for your loss Steve….


    X2. I assume we all remember how we felt. Sorry to hear that Steve.

    tomberg
    Rochester,MN.
    Posts: 132
    May 25, 2011 at 12:58 pm #968899

    Sorry Steve,its always tuff..

    glenn57
    cold spring mn
    Posts: 11672
    May 25, 2011 at 1:33 pm #968907

    sorry for your loss. i too know that feeling. been 4 years, still stinks!

    AllenW
    Mpls, MN
    Posts: 2895
    May 25, 2011 at 2:18 pm #968917

    Sorry to hear, it’s to bad all the years of love have to end in sadness, 4 times for us and it never gets easier.

    Al

    yellowdog
    Alma Wi
    Posts: 1303
    May 25, 2011 at 2:49 pm #968935

    sorry to hear about your Abby Steve. These posts always get me choked up.

    chomps
    Sioux City IA
    Posts: 3974
    May 25, 2011 at 2:55 pm #968937

    sorry for your loss, it is never easy for me to read these type of stories, brings back memories of my old chocolate, but I am a better hunter because of him.

    mbenson
    Minocqua, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3842
    May 25, 2011 at 3:04 pm #968941

    Quote:

    Quote:

    Everytime I read one of these on here I get teary eyed…..Sorry for your loss Steve….


    X2. I assume we all remember how we felt. Sorry to hear that Steve.

    X3

    sandmannd
    Posts: 928
    May 25, 2011 at 3:04 pm #968943

    Sorry to hear of your loss. Never easy, no matter how many dogs you have.

    mbenson
    Minocqua, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3842
    May 25, 2011 at 3:06 pm #968946

    Quote:

    Remember, she’s at the Bridge scouting out all those good pheasant spots, waiting for you…

    So well said stu, one of my favorites to read about our old friends gone…

    Mark

    Steve Plantz
    SE MN
    Posts: 12240
    May 25, 2011 at 10:54 pm #969117

    Thanks for all the kind words everyone, my family and I appreciate it very much!

Viewing 30 posts - 1 through 30 (of 34 total)
1 2

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.