Doc's gone. He made it to 13 years old which is good for a Chessie. He was quite an athlete and never gave up on a retrieve.

One retrieve that I will always be taking abuse about from my hunting buddies was on Doc's first hunt. He was not much more than a pup. He was sitting on the porch of the blind when a flight of Gadwals came in. We got 3. Doc easily brought back the two in the water.

The third duck sailed far out and fell in a big brush pile across the cove. Doc swam across the cove and ran straight to the brush pile, dove in and dug around until he came out with the still alive Gadwall. It was half his size and was flapping its wings all the way back to the water but he swam across and climbed back to the porch.

As my highly impressed buddies looked over at him he dropped the Gadwall and pissed all over it! Of course, I explained that it was only a Gadwall not a Mallard and Doc had a low opinion of Gadwalls. That never stopped the laughter and jokes however and they remind me of it to this day.

I am going to put his ashes on that cove this weekend and hope to shoot a couple Gadwalls just for old times sake.

Good dogs are a blessing...in anyone's life.

Sorry for your loss...enjoy the memories!

Sorry to hear the bad news but I'm sure you'll never forget the fond memories!

Don't let the hole in your heart get bigger, go out and get another to fill it's empty spot.

They never last long enough. My condolences.

Please post pictures of the pup that will attempt to replace him.

quote:

Please post pictures of the pup that will attempt to replace him.

Thats perceptive. Right after New Year I intend to start the search for another Chessie.

The breed is quite a challenge. They are so independent but they repay you with incredible loyalty and stamina.

They don't seem to like anybody but their core family of humans. Everyone else they will tolerate but they don't seem to relish being petted.

When I took Doc out of his kennel each evening he would give me a quick lick on the wrist and that is all the affection he would give - he was ready to get down to work. It always made me smile.

Thanks to everyone for the condolences.

excellent idea of spreading his ashes. My English Setter is buried in a pasture corner where he pointed his first bird. Seems that there was always a bird in that spot.