It's a sad day in the Mandile household today. My silver Lab, Sasha died last night. She was quite normal when we went to bed last night, so we have no idea what caused it.

So sorry to hear about you loss. I'm on my third Lab now and know what it's like to lose a good friend. Nothing takes away the pain of loosing a good dog, but a puppy helps.

Sorry to hear this Tony, we lost our lab in March and my wife still cries when she thinks about him. I still miss him terribly.

I can appreciate your pain Tony and also sympathize.
Maybe this will help.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...2711043/m/4461003741

Tony:
Deepest sympathies. We had to put our Husky sled dog down last April after we found out he had cancer. It all happened within 3 weeks. Although I now have his nephew/puppy, I still think fondly of him.
I always thought that dogs should have a life span longer than their owners.
Best, Bear in Fairbanks

Tony,
Sorry for your loss. A person sure gets attached to there pet, exspecially a hunting dog. I've lost others in the past, and I'm facing it again soon, I know, as I have a pointer that will be 15 years old on Valentines day. Cherish the memories made with each one. Knute

Sorry for your loss

I hate that for you. Losing a good dog, more like a friend, SUCKS!

Perry

Sorry for your loss. I become extremely attached to all my dogs and it hurts so much when one dies.

I am sorry for the loss of your Buddy!!!!

Tony,

Sorry for your loss. We live longer than our dogs becuase they couldn't bear to go on without us.

Perry

Tony

Very sorry to hear about your loss, they say only time will fix a broken heart...

I lost my best Black Lab going on nine years Febuary 13, a day doesn't pass that I don't think about him.

God Bless You.

Steve

Tony,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss, Tony. Here's hoping you can keep those wonderful memories close at heart and that it helps you through the pain.

Tony, my condolences. I have a 13 year old Aussie and 12 year old Border Collie so I know that I'll be there soon.

I thought I was pretty tough in situations like this, but Weds. was a really rough day for me. That's why my initial message was short and to the point.

When I sat on the couch to watch TV Tues. night, Sasha came running with her Kong toy, as she often did. She'd bring it to me and then back off about 6-8 ft. so I could throw it for her to catch in mid-air. She kept at it until I told her "no more." When I did that, she laid down on the floor next to me, between the couch and the coffee table. Her Kong was nestled between her front paws next to her nose.

That was the last time I saw her alive. I eventually fell asleep on the couch where I spent the night.

Weds. morning, I woke up about 4:15, turned on the kitchen light and made coffee, etc., etc. Usually as soon as I get up, Sasha would be at my heels. I was awake for about two hours when I finally realized I hadn't seen her. I began looking. She wasn't in any of her usual haunts. First place I checked was the couch in the front living room where she often sleeps; it's the only piece of furniture in the entire house she was allowed access to. The couch was empty. I then started checking all the other empty, dark rooms by calling her name from the doorways. When she didn't come to my calls, I went out back and called for her from the patio. Nothing.

By now, it was about time for my wife to get up, so I opened the bedroom door and turned on the light to see if Sasha might have been closed in there when Ellen had gone to bed. Sasha wasn't there either. So I asked my wife if she had maybe opened the front door after I fell asleep. Although I knew Sasha wouldn't go anywhere, I thought perhaps she had been isolated to the front patio. But the few times that has happened, she barked continuously until one of us let her into the house again. But Ellen hadn't been out front at all since she got home from work at 5:30.

I decided to check each room again. I turned on the light in the spare front bedroom -- one Sasha rarely went into unless Ellen or I were in there for something. I could see her nose sticking out on the far side of one of the beds in there. I walked over, sat on the other bed and could tell she wasn't breathing even before I reached down to touch her.

My wife walked in right behind me, and all I could say was "She's dead."

Ellen said, "Oh no."

By then, I was already in tears. Ellen joined me.

It was really quiet and sad here yesterday as I went about the business of doing what I had to do with Sasha's lifeless body. Few words were exchanged at the dinner table last night. This morning isn't much better as I move about the house and see Sasha's crate, toys, bowls and beds still where they were when she died. The Kong is still laying between the couch and table, where she had left it. Her collar now hangs alongside the one that belonged to my German shorthair, Ginger.

At least with Ginger, knowing she was old and had cancer gave me time to realize she would soon be gone. Sure it was hard to take her to the vet and have her in my hands as the injection caused her life to leave her. I still shed some tears, but by then I was ready to handle them. That's been the case with almost all of the pups I've owned over many years. Most have lived to old age.

That's not the case with Sasha's sudden and unexplained death at less than five years old. While I certainly wouldn't want her to have suffered, I would have been happier if we both had several more years to enjoy each other's company. And if dogs could talk, I bet she would have said the same thing.

As I said after Ginger died, I'll likely never get another pup. If I ever decide to make such a mistake, though, it would be quite difficult to find another with Sasha's temperament and personality.

The sadness will last a long time, but after a few days, we'll get over the loss somewhat and move on as we have in past situations such as this.

Anyway...I really appreciate the sentiments from everyone. Thank you all.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Rich

Very sorry to hear this Tony.

my condolences to you and the rest of your family. it's almost like loosing a child. somewhere up there, there is place for good dogs and when it is our turn they will be there to greet us

Sad... Not sure where I found this quote, but I think it sums up the way a lot of us dog owners feel.

"Dog - He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

I feel your pain sir! Hang in there! Sorry for Sasha and her family.

Tony,

The pain one feels at the loss of a family pet was a great surprise to me when our dog passed away two summers ago. I imagine it comes closer to the pain of a family member (person) dying than we'd ever expect. Perhaps that's not so surprising, given that most pet owners think of their animals as "family members."

I know when our dog died that summer, I felt like I was sending him off to his execution. Rationally, I knew the pain he was in, and how his physical condition would continue to deteriorate and cause more suffering. I knew that it wasn't a "wrong" decision to put him down; I just never could fully convice myself that it was the "right" decision.

In the end, I couldn't even bear to be with him while the drugs were administered - and that is my great shame. I wish I could do that differently, hard as it undoubtedly would be.

This summer will be two full years, then, since Maverick has been gone. The children still miss him, as my wife and I do. Now it seems right, though, to think about getting another dog - and so the thread in the classified's section about the Springers caught my eye.

G. Kiellor once said, "the setbacks in life come suddenly, whereas progress is slow, slow, slow..."

But life does progress.

friar

Have you asked a Vet what could have happened????

I am so sorry for your loss. The condolences from our entire family go out to you and yours.

Tony,
I am so sorry to read about the passing of your believed Sasha. It is a tough thing to go through for any of us dog lovers.

I have two wonderful golden retrievers buried beneath the cool grass of our back yard and I think about them often. The German Shepard is buried up on the hill in the backyard of our old house. The string of owners of that house over the past 25 years don't have a clue that part of our family is resting under the sod of the Montana prairie, but my wife and I know. It's all that really matters, huh?

The third golden retriever is right by my side as I write this. She's my constand shadow, and that's the way we both want it. Air headed blond that she is, she's as much a part of my life as Sasha was for you and your wife. Someday I'll probably have to lay her to rest next to the other two goldens.

But I love dogs and can't imagine life without them. They're part of the family.

Godspeed

Tony,

So sorry to read this. They never are here long enough with us, yet they mean more then some humans we have in our lives for much longer. But as much as it hurts us with their short lives, those lives are lived to the fullest with a good family to call their pack. I know you and all the other members who have lost a furry friend gave them the best life possible, and I bet every one of those dogs, if they could, would not trade it for all the bones in the world.

Loss of a good dog is losing a family member. Condolences for your loss.

Mate my heart goes out to you. I had to put my wire hair pointer of 12 yrs down last week and I still feel sick at the loss I miss him every day still

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers

Tony,

I am so sorry for your loss!

Outdoor, I am sorry for you and your family. I lost my black Lab, Preciuos, about 6 years ago to cancer. I was in Boston working when my wife called me crying. That was some,pardon my French, hard shit to take when I am 2000 miles away. The only worries I ever had abouther was that someone would steal her cause she was a sweetheart. I thought she was my dog,but always was with my wife where ever went and sleptnext to her on the floor on her side of the bed. Friarmeir, a year later I had to have my beloved German Shepherd, Gizmo, put to sleep because of health . I was there in the back of the truck when the vet gave him the injection. Hardest thing,next to my father passing, that I have ever had to do, but I would not have let him go with out me being there. Now have 2 dogs,Yellow Lab and Basset, adopted from Houston SPCA. You will never see 2 more spoiled dogs than these 2. By the way, both my Preciuos amd Gizmo are buried side by side in my back yard. I still miss them both as do my wife and son. All you can do is give them the best that you can and let GOD do the rest. C ya.

Since the time I found Sasha early Weds., I’ve had a real difficult time coping with it. Every time I see something that reminds of her or if I think about her, I become a blubbering sissy.

I spoke to her vet yesterday and she guessed it was either a heart attack or some sort of stroke.

Sasha had her full annual check-up about a month ago, and nothing was amiss. She’s been on thyroid medication for about a year. Even had her weight down to 80 lbs.

What really bothers me most is not knowing if she could have been saved. I’ll never know if quick medical attention might have prevented her death if it had happened while I was awake. It’s especially bothersome considering she was fine not hours before.

The fact she went into that front bedroom to die makes me think she knew it was happening and seemingly didn’t want us to know it or find her. Otherwise I can’t explain why she would be where I found her since she never ventured into that room without El or I being there.

Worst of all, though, I never had a chance to say goodbye.

Sorry to here about your loss. Lost mine 4 years ago and still can't bring myself to get another yet. Will someday.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Dogs mean much more to some of us than people realize.

Don't even think of blaming yourself. It was not your fault and it is highly unlikely that anything could have been done to save her, given the short time frame involved.

You probably don't want to hear this, but get another puppy soon. Dogs, especially labs, deserve dog people. Love is not in limited quantity per person.

Seeing as this is American Big Game Hunting forum, why not regale us with a, how Sasha got me my first bear/deer/elk, story? That might be therapeutic for you and entertaining for the rest of us.

I'm so very sorry to hear of Sasha's passing. You and your wife have my sincerest condolences.
I know exactly how you feel right now having been there four times myself.

They say that time heals all wounds. I do not really agree with that. The passage of time doesn't make it hurt any less, though it does make it hurt less often.
Somewhere out there is a puppy who needs you as much as you need him/her. That's the best medicine available right now.

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
Seeing as this is American Big Game Hunting forum, why not regale us with a, how Sasha got me my first bear/deer/elk, story? That might be therapeutic for you and entertaining for the rest of us.

Apparently she had nothing to do with American Big Game Hunting or her master would have treated us to a humorous anecdote. Or at least a Timmy/Lassie type tale. Kind of makes me wonder why this has not been moved to the proper forum for DOGS??? That's all it is about, a dead dog.

Sorry for your loss mate.
Labman said above- "nothing takes away the pain of losing a good dog, but a puppy helps"

He's bang on.

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
Seeing as this is American Big Game Hunting forum, why not regale us with a, how Sasha got me my first bear/deer/elk, story? That might be therapeutic for you and entertaining for the rest of us.

Apparently she had nothing to do with American Big Game Hunting or her master would have treated us to a humorous anecdote. Or at least a Timmy/Lassie type tale. Kind of makes me wonder why this has not been moved to the proper forum for DOGS??? That's all it is about, a dead dog.

It was dormant for 10 days, and you felt the need to bring it back to the top for that?

Yah, it should be in the Dogs forum, but its not like this thread was cluttering up the place so you couldn't find the Big Game Hunting threads.

And maybe the moderator has a real soft spot for dogs.

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
Seeing as this is American Big Game Hunting forum, why not regale us with a, how Sasha got me my first bear/deer/elk, story? That might be therapeutic for you and entertaining for the rest of us.

Apparently she had nothing to do with American Big Game Hunting or her master would have treated us to a humorous anecdote. Or at least a Timmy/Lassie type tale. Kind of makes me wonder why this has not been moved to the proper forum for DOGS??? That's all it is about, a dead dog.

There. Did acting like a totally disrespectful a-hole make you feel good about yourself? So it's in the wrong forum, BIG DEAL! Has it occurred to you that Tony spends most of his time here and thought the message might reach more "friends" here? If you don't like it send a message to the moderator or, here's an idea, DON'T CLICK ON IT!