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Boeuf, who is our child and my hunting buddy, had her 11th birthday in July. She has hunted with me for 10 years and never said a bad thing about my shooting or lack of calling. Now her arthritis is really starting to bother her. It is very hard on a dog to hunt this marsh. The grass is thick and the mud can be rough. I hate to leave her home on Nov 8th. She will pitch a fit on that morning, but I think that it would be best for her. The only thing about dogs is that they don't know that they are old. They know that they cannot do certain things, but they cannot tell time. Jack

I'am not looking foward to that day with mine! sorry for you, just make sure that you love on her and bring some duks home !!!!!!!!!!!

Know what you mean LADuck. We hunt in the marsh around Hermitage. It is extremely tough on a dog. We have an 11 year old lab that can't hunt anymore. Really hard to leave him at the house. Mine is 3 and already has arthritis in both front elbows. Not looking forward to him not going with me. Just remember the good times and good hunts the two of you shared.

BTW we have seen some birds in our area. Can't wait til the 8th.

go see your vet they have pills for that and just take her once and a while
and treasure the past and present good luck

Jack, have you ever put her on Rimadyl (sp?). I was able to hunt my old dog an extra 2 seasons because of it. There are other new arthretic medication for dogs on the market that may help. I also used glucosamine tablets that can be bought at Wal-Mart or from a Vet. The glucosamine seems to help a lot keeping an old dogs joints limber. Before the Rimadyl and glucosamine, my dog was unable to kennel up in the back of the truck without help. Within a week, he was able to kennel up without help.

Jack, you've gotten great advice here. There are many, many medical remedies you can try to make your best friend more than comfortable. Some of them are surpisingly effective in reducing the symptoms significantly. Please try them. You'll more than likely be very glad that you did.

Good luck.

Jack, that's bad about your dog. But, I was worried sick when I saw the topic...thought you'd retired and then got down yourself! Those dogs can sure look pitiful when you leave without them.

I hunted my Lady Grace for 15 years and the last year we hunted together I made it a point to hunt places I knew she could handle. Didn't have killer hunts but spent some damn fine quality time with my old gal before we retired her. I still miss her as much today as I did the day she left us.
My suggestion is to take him hunting at least a couple times... he has earned it and you'll be glad you did.

Lost my dog this past spring and now that I'm getting geared up for the season, I miss her now more than ever. Wish I could let her stand on the bow of the boat one more time while I'm cutting through the bayous and timber. That was her favorite part.

Jack that is too bad. However with the common high tides of the first split maybe you could hunt her some where she wouldn't have the muck to wade through. You know a good south wind tide assistance that sucks for duckhunting but could be just what the doctor ordered for your dog. Hope things get better good to see you post on here was strating to worry about you.

hey Jack, you reckon them old dogs get togeather and talk about how old and slow us handlers has gotten...haha...... i ca hear ole Sam now, " i can remember when he could tote a dozen dekes thru 2 miles of mud just for a couple of hours of hunting, steady with a gun and could see and hear better than any white tail". ain't it great to grow old with a partner that dependable ?

judge jb

i'm on my last dog.... can't be replaced so why try....

As posted by da Judge:

"i'm on my last dog.... can't be replaced so why try"

I have heard a few guys say that. Must be some truth to it. I sure would like to keep a lab all the time. The one I have now is a good huntin partner but a better day to day buddy. Can't really imagine not having one.