And she takes her curtain call

[Foxton Gundogs]

Well, at the beginning of the season I was not sure that my old girl would hunt anymore, but thanks to good vet care and the help of my friend Dr. Tracy Griffin of Cederbrae Labs my Grand Old Lady was able to give me one more season, #11 for us as a team. Today was quite likely our last hunt together, right now she is still going full out but a year can do lots to an 11 yr. old dog but here's hoping. Today was a special day so I kicked it old school and broke out Dads old 1947 Model 12 Trap. As is the case with late season Greenheads the birds were decoy shy, Robo shy and Call shy. It was a long wet windy day but we managed to scratch out a limit. Keela made all 8 retrieves a couple stupidly long, and someplace Dad was smiling. Great end to a special season and likely a long special career so my emotions were very mixed, the pic may not be the best taken through rain fogged lens but it's very special to me

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n499/FoxtonGundogs/Hunting%202015/eb5ad166-da39-49b8-a855-21d5e5c0be02.jpg (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/FoxtonGundogs/media/Hunting%202015/eb5ad166-da39-49b8-a855-21d5e5c0be02.jpg.html)

[beretta]

Great story!! Love the retrievers..

[Big Lew]

Good going. Sometimes even the toughest of us can get emotional about losing
a dear and great companion, especially a faithful dog or horse. They so often
show us their zest in life and to please by enthusiastically giving their best despite
their severe aches and pains. We have to keep in mind that they wouldn't have
it any other way. Many of us that appreciate their loyalty and commitment would
do anything for them as well.

[Daybreak]

Touching post FG. She looks like she's ready for a well deserved snooze by the fire knowing you are close by.

[FirePower]

They will give and give until they have nothing left to give, then try to give even more, we have to think for them, sometimes we must be cruel to be kind. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Angus]

Ya know, we get a good number of a-hole posts and threads on this website, but it's threads like this, where you can really sense the emotions and bond between a hunter and his faithful companion that outweigh all the negative crap. That, and the kind words of comfort from friends who have gone though or are going through the same thing.

Good on ya Foxton for keeping her young with another hunt.

Cheers.

[guest]

Congrats to you BOTH Foxton Jim ..... ! what a terrific way to end a season with the best friend in any hunting circle around, you and your ol Girl.

Thats what makes great memories and endless thanks to such a good Dog and career of bird doggin . Love those times you shared today !

CT

[bearvalley]

Good going Jim and maybe the old girl will surprise you and have another hunt or two with you down the road.

[lorneparker1]

Special hunt forsure!~

Lorne

[rocksteady]

A good dog is as valued as a good friend. It hurts bad when either is not capable anymore...

better er give her a special dinner tonight, to show her how much you love her

[ssor77]

That's awesome. Sure she enjoys it as much as you.

[ACE]

A lovely old friend ..... your dog forever Jim .....

[thunderheart]

thanks for posting jim ... my best to you and that old girl

[Cdn-Redneck]

Nothing like going out on a high

[Dutch]

I think the lens adds class great story have buried 3 and just retired the 4th never gets easier ,"Forma Bonum Fragile Est" nothing lasts forever :)

[yamadirt 426]

Congrats on another great season together. Take care u 2!

[IronNoggin]

Excellent read & tribute Foxy!

Immediately brought to mind the last hunt with my old pheasant dog.
I knew he was getting long in the tooth, and so did not push him too hard the last season.
On that last run, we both realized it was simply that.
Must admit I had damn misty eyes as we wandered back to the truck - his last venture into the place he loved the best.
He lasted another year, and I always thought it was the loss of hunting he missed the most. I certainly did.

Thanks for sharing, and hopefully she will make yet another successful run with you down the road...

Cheers,
Matt

[albravo2]

Great post Foxton. Poignant.

[ncurrie]

Very heart warming:) I'm so glad you got one more season with her,such great memories:)

[PressurePoint]

It's amazing what they will do for some lovings and a bowl of kibble. Oddly, my small black lab Stevie is my best friend. She is an amazing partner.

[hotload]

Coming from you Foxton I can feel the emotion, love, and respect for your great friend right through cyberspace. Congratulations on your 11 wonderful years......................Take care of each other.....................................

[180grainer]

You both gave each other a good life. It's what owning a dog is all about. As someone else has already said, hopefully a few more years at your feet by the fire.

[BTF]

Sounds like your dog had a great life and still, remember they're here for part of our life but we are there for all of theirs. Reminds me of my old retriever, did his last retrieve at over 15, even though it was only one retrieve to show the new guy the ropes, he was sure proud!

[Foxton Gundogs]

Well when I posted this at the end of last season apparently my Grand Old Lady didn't read it. I headed out for the first shoot at the marsh a couple of weeks ago and She just gave me a heartbreaking look as much to say "what did I do wrong, why are you leaving me behind?". I folded like a bad poker hand and as the weather was fairly warm decided to take her out and see. So here we are 3 shoots into her 12th season and she is drinking from the fountain of youth. I wont hunt her in bad conditions but so far she is doing fantastic with no sign of quit in her. Thanks to "Now" food, Recovery, and my great Vet and friend Dr. Tracy Griffin we are very blessed to get yet another season.

Hunt 1
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n499/FoxtonGundogs/Hunting%202016/keela16a.jpg (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/FoxtonGundogs/media/Hunting%202016/keela16a.jpg.html)

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n499/FoxtonGundogs/Hunting%202016/keela%2016_1.jpg (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/FoxtonGundogs/media/Hunting%202016/keela%2016_1.jpg.html)

Hunt 2
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n499/FoxtonGundogs/Hunting%202016/marsh_1.jpg (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/FoxtonGundogs/media/Hunting%202016/marsh_1.jpg.html)

Hunt 3
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n499/FoxtonGundogs/Hunting%202016/ae11a11b-904a-4b92-891f-51a2c0742183.jpg (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/FoxtonGundogs/media/Hunting%202016/ae11a11b-904a-4b92-891f-51a2c0742183.jpg.html)

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n499/FoxtonGundogs/Hunting%202016/a32c3c46-dabd-4128-b2bb-bd0d1a87f2aa.jpg (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/FoxtonGundogs/media/Hunting%202016/a32c3c46-dabd-4128-b2bb-bd0d1a87f2aa.jpg.html)

[guest]

Jim, great to hear your special companionship and time together continue. Nothing better hunting birds over your best friend! This is terrific!

Great pics FGD

CT

[BigBanger]

Wonderful to see, thanks for sharing.

[IronNoggin]

That has to be one of the Best "Feel Good" posts I've ever seen on here!
Congrats Jim! You are a Lucky Man, and her a Lucky Gal!

Cheers & Thanks!
Nog

[srupp]

Actually teared up...wonderful heartfelt thanks for sharing such a special bond...

Thank you
Steven

[ncurrie]

So amazing! Thanks for keeping us posted. She is a amazing dog!

[albravo2]

Brilliant! Made my day. Thanks for the update Jim.

[Frango]

Hopefully one more year or at least be your buddy for awhile. Have you thought about getting another one while she is still a good influence?.Knowing you are going to loose a dog is almost as bad as loosing one..Sad both ways. Pups help take the pain away.

[Foxton Gundogs]

Frango I have her Daughter and Grandaughter thanks for your thoughts though I appreciate it

[Dutch]

Great to see FG,That recover is really something ,had the old boy out with the GSP pup 3 times this year pheasant hunting ,he did a great job turned 2 out of the blackberries and pushing 14 with 3.5 legs ,hope I have half the heart he does when and if I ever get that age,guess retirement is a frame of mind

[Foxton Gundogs]

FOXTON'S CUERVO GOLD "KEELA"
Oct. 2004-June 2017
RIP My Grand Old Lady
You will always be in the blind with me, Thanks for 12 wonderful seasons and 13 yrs. of unconditional LOVE

[bigredchev]

Sorry to hear, the loss of a good dog is not measure able. Enjoy the great memories

[Foxton Gundogs]

Thanks, it will be a very hard opening day this year.

[Elkchaser]

Foxton - opening day will be hard, try and fill it with happy and funny memories of hunts gone by. Nothing wrong with a few sad feelings for a long time and truly loyal partner. We have one of Tracy and jims that turned 15 in May. She is hanging in there, but the reality is things are shutting down. Never easy, no matter how many times we go through it. All the best on opening day. Hope you take out one of her line and would be great if you posted pics of the succesful legacy left after her passing. Would be a fitting end to this tribute to your dog. Take care