11 years ago I lucked out and found the best lab I have ever had .
Right from the get go he was always on the birds .Well today I had to make the hardest decision of my life and have him put to sleep . Hunting will never be the same .

Thats tuff.

Mine is 10 years old and he is definetly slowing down. This was his last season, it would take him 2 to 3 days to recover. There is no way he will be able to hunt next year.

We got another pup in December, this next fall will be a challenge for all of us. I cant imagine leaving with out my old buddy.

How am I going to sneek the shotgun out of the house?

Sod- very tough thing to do, but i trust that if you had to put him down, you did the right thing. I let my last one go too long and regret it to this day.
I dread the next time i have to go through what you just did. best wishes to you.
Post up a pic of him if you can.

Hang in ther bud. Always sucks!

Bummer...sorry man. It's always hard but there's always a new puppy waiting to fill the void. At least your lab got to live a long life and you can look back on all the great hunts you went on.

My family has always had English springers and two years ago we got two sisters after our last one died at twelve years. After the first year one of them developed a brain disorder that is an unexplained springer rage. Unfortunately, we had to put her down at a young age. On the bright side Izzy has blossomed into a great companion and has one hell of a nose for birds. She even likes to get out and fish!

Feel for ya dude. Good dogs rule and they are sorely missed when you have to put them down. For me it's been seven months and I've finally stopped worrying about food on the counter or all the hair in the house.
I'm taking a break from dog ownership but look forward to getting a new lab pup next winter.
I'm getting a little tired of the neighborhood cats thinking they are "safe" in my back yard though.

i've got a 13yrd old lab/mastiff who's the best. he's really starting to go. he farts constantly, can't hear worth a damn, and his hips and knees are shot. i can't imagine life without him... i've had 2 dreams in the past weeks about having a puppy. i know that decision time is looming, i just keep hoping that he just goes in the night, to take the pressure off. i can only imagine what you've gone through.

sorry for your loss



willy

Sorry for your loss sod I hope you can find another hard worker. I'm getting to be in the same boat with our oldest pup. 14 years old, diabetic, deaf, and blind. He still wants to keep going but his body is saying stop. We have to help him outside and pick him up when he falls. Its real sad sometimes and I really dont know when to say when. He has bad days and really good days.

Sorry bro....it's like losing a family member. Try to remember all of the great times you had together.

Most all labs are good ones but there are those that are naturals and just live to make your life beter. I made the mistake of switching to a female this time for my daughter's sake and it just aint the same. She is a great dog don't get me wrong and spend half of my work days with me but is just not my old buddy. Try to find a pair you really like with the same personalities as your last and wait for a pup. Don't let price have anything to do with your choice(after all whats a few hundred bucks over 10-14 years for a close friend) Stay with the male if thats what you like and I am sure you will be rewarded. Even if he is half the dog of your old one it is still worth it. Sorry for your loss and happy hunting...Art

Sorry to hear about your loss. Words can't really describe all the emotions of putting your best friend down. The only thing Brook and I hunted were steelhead. We chased 'em wherever they swam. I had first pick of 5 females and chose the runt. Probably not the wisest decision but she made it a pretty easy pick.

She went to work with me just about everyday since she was 7 weeks old until a couple months before I had to put her down (almost 12 years). January 2 of this year was the day.

Avatar pic is from Lk Roosevelt. Chasing smallmouth for a few days.

I put my friend down two years ago...I've never been without a dog since I was a little kid, and I had this guy's dad before him...they both lived to be 14 years old.

After he died I've been two years without a dog...and I still see him every time I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye around the house. I've been thinking about getting a new pup here, and my lady thinks we ought to get two, which is fine by me.

Sorry bout the news....all too familiar. Had to do it twice in the last 2 years. Have 1 left and hes slowin down as well. Heres a pic of the two deceased...f-in cancer. Just gotta keep em happy. wntrrn...my choco female was named Brook too...best dog I have ever had.



And 1 of my buddy (son of ellie the black lab) Thorn aka "boogerhead"

He was a yellow Lab I bought at a D.U banquet We noticed he was not eating last week so I took Cedar in He ended up having a tumor in his panceras.
The worst part was telling my 7 year old , Cedar waited for him to get off the bus and was always next to him it was like his job was to keep a eye on my son. Thanks for the support

It's amazing how protective a gentle lab can be.

My 10 year old lab watches my son to this day. My son is 13, my lab will get between me and my son if we are wrestling or just playing. He has grabbed my pants and pulled me away from him while we were playing if he thought I was getting a little too rough.