It was April 1999 when I bought her out of Rayne from an ole boy that worked at Slemco. Aggressive black female. I had just lost my chocolate male of eight years, and felt that it was time to start fresh in a new direction. She slept w/ me every night. I worked her to becomming what is now the best dog i've ever hunted over. We hunted in every situation possable. Heat and cold. wet and dry. It didn't matter what the condition so long as she could hear the sound of the shot and taste the sweet praise after a retrieve well done. She was the one that let the kiddos climb over, under and even sleep on top of her. She was the one that stood ground when she felt the family was in danger. Even if it were just old uncle Nat comming by for a visit. She was the one that stayed in bed with my little brother for three months after having hip surgery. She was the only woman that I knew would never hurt or leave me no matter what i've done. I retired her about four seasons ago after her fight with cancer left her unfit to hunt any more. From that point on she was the old girl that slept in front of the fireplace and got whatever she wanted. A life of luxsery. But the one thing she wanted most I couldn't bring myself to do. Bringing her to the blind would surely have put her into an early grave. Or maby I was wrong. Maby I should have let her go doing what she loved. Too late now. Monday morning I got a call from Momma saying that I needed to come check on Belle. I had it in my mind that she had passed. I had expected it seeing as she had lost a lot of weight and the inside of her ears were yellowing indicating liver failier. But i wasn't that lucky. She was still alive. Too weak to stand, and in pain. Nothing could get her off the floor. not even the shucking of an old pump shotgun that would have usually brought her to attention. I knew it was time. I couldn't let her suffer. We all said our good byes loved on her and I took her to the vet to have her put down. Everything happens for a reason. That was the only day that everyone would have been home, I came back from the camp a day early, and my ole man was leaving the next day. It's like she knew. After all the tears have fallen we have nothing but the great memories of a dog that surpasses the expectations of the greatest field champions. God Bless you Belle. We love you.......

amen

Very well put. I had to put mt Akita down last yr due cancer. One the hardest things ive ever had to do. Sorry for your loss man.

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Sad to hear man