I lost a loved one this morning. My Lab, Nandi. And so I share this with you. She was born while we were in Africa in 1993. While there with the help of my African friends we chose a name, Nandi. The name of Shaka Zulu's mother, which means "pure of heart." And she was. She lived 15 years and 10 months, and each and every moment was filled with a gentleness and love that only a dog can have. She had a good life, hunting in the past, long walks with us in the woods, long journeys in the car. Never a complaint, never a moment of anger, and with the new pups that came along, patient and caring. She will be missed.

Sorry, to hear about Your loss , I know How do You love Your kids !!! Shurely She will go to Play with Esquel, My condolences to You and Pumpkin.Guille

A story told by Alaskan natives is that there once was a great schism/cravass and all the animals and man were on one side and the separation between man and animal took place when the animals jumped across to the other side away from man.
At the last moment, the dog jumped back to be with man for enternity. I too have lost a few "good friends" and yet today remember each of them with the greatest fondness.

martin

I lost my chocolate lab, Bear, a year ago last November and it still pains me. Those labs are as close to heaven(with the exception of your wife and kids) as you can get! I feel your pain and loss, and understand how you feel. Remember the good times and good memories that you had with her.

All the family is here lookinG the photos of NANDI ,shes very similar to AFRY althoug AFRICA is blonde ,you know we live with the dogs and for the dogs ,so we understand your sadness ,i think i wouldnt be completely happy without dogs ,and part of my heart dies when each of my dogs died ,specially PAIMUN .I hope you feel better soon but i know it isnt easy.Juan

Thanks you all for your thoughts and kind words. And Juan, you express it very well.

" dog jumped back to be with man for enternity"

Well said.... The loyalty and companionship provided by these unconditional friends is something that sadly we realize when they are gone... (at least that was my case)

I am sorry for your loss my friend... Hope there might be a well deserved paradise for these friends of us once they leave...

Bill,

So sorry to hear about your Nandi. She was a beautiful dog. Hopefully your little Jack Russell with his/her mischievous antics will help ease the pain of her loss.

Kind regards,
Mary

Bill
I am very sorry for your loss. You were blessed with nearly 16 years with her, and though she is gone, you can carry her memory the rest of your life.

I doubt if there is much of anything that is better than on old dog that has always loved you.

Bill,

My sincerest condolences.

I too am a Lab man! We currently have 2, 3 years old each. They babysit my kids out on the place, keep coyotes and foxes at bay, fetch all of my shot doves and quail and sleep on the bed every night - That is till their dreaming and snoring provoke my wife to kick them off the bed.

Your dog's time came - sad to hear....We are dreading our dog's eminent departure, yet years away!

I believe it was Will Rogers that said" "If there are no dogs in heaven, Then when I die I want to go where they went"

JW

Thanks for your kind words....I am off to Argentina Thursday.

quote:

Originally posted by billinthewild:
Thanks for your kind words....I am off to Argentina Thursday.

Have a safe and fun trip, Bill. Call me when you get back on the mountain and we'll get you another turkey. This time it will be a huge gobbler.

Bill Quimby

Bill. I am still waiting in Miami for my plane. 8 hour layover.....this is a great place to practice Spanish. I will keep in touch and for sure plan on gobbler gobbling with you.....

my heartfelt condolences. I lost a little friend last year and it was v painful.

Bill: I'm truly sorry for your loss; I lost a similar friend this past October. God bless you - I've learned that a man who loves his dog like a family member is a man that I want for a friend. Again, I'm sorry - I'm sure you'll cherish the memories.

Thank you all for your kind words. She was very special, but then I guess they are all special to us who have them and honor them.

I am at the airport in Santiago, Chili, at the moment waiting for my flight to Cordoba. Soon I will be spending some time with another amigo who is know to all of you, and a dog man of the highest regard, Juan Pozzi. He constantly shows us his photos of his labs and his Dogos and I know how much they mean to him. I have hunted with them and they are very special indeed.