Warning-Not bowhunting-but related
Whitetail Deer
Contributors to this thread:
My dog was one of the best recovery dogs I ever had. She is too old now. But she is perfect for company on a cold, drizzly afternoon and she seems to like a good snuggle while we watch TV. I don't see how folks live without a dog. My wife-woman took this yesterday afternoon. Football on TB with the sound off but I could hear it through the earphones. Great for napping.
People who don't understand will never......
Had to put mine down this past summer. Haven't had the heart to get another yet.
I'm sure this will go against the grain, but while I fully understand people who love dogs (my wife is one of them) I'm not a dog lover. We owned one - a great dog actually. Golden retriever with short hair, it was 1/8th white sheppard. Great attitude, obedient, very kind dog. While I liked it at times, the negatives out-weighed the positives for me. Can't leave on vacation, the hair in the house, the mess in the yard, barking like crazy at boats for whatever reason, swimming is difficult cause they always want to be with you... I guess I'm just not a dog guy. We no longer have her. We had her because my wife really wanted one, and when she got too busy to do the walks etc that a healthy dog like that should have, in the end she went to a great dog loving family. Extremely hard for my wife to let her go, and hard on me cause it was hard on her, but it was for the best. I'm happier without the dog than with.
I will say that I could see that changing when I am retired and have more time for a dog. Right now life is simply too busy. I could see myself enjoying the time with a dog, and they prob deserve it if you are going to take them into the house.
Happy for you John, and others that connect with dogs, that they have them.
Couldn't live without a dog...
Couldn't live without a dog...
Never had a dog that liked to hug as much as my springer! She almost made it to 16 yrs.
I’m with you Apauls.....not a big dog lover, but sympathetic to those who are.
My wife came in from a cold deer hunt and you know how it hits you when you get in where it’s warm.
She was out like a light and our Maggie joined her to help warm her up and nap.
My sentiments are with APauls on this one. My family has always had a dog, but I could certainly go without as the negatives outweigh the positives for me. (Don't tell my wife and daughter.)
I was not much of a dog fan either, until my wife brought home this 9 lb wiener. She's a great camp dog too.
My wife and son are very allergic to dogs, so I don't have a choice. The doc says even an outside dog will get enough dander on my clothes to cause problems. I also don't think we need a warning if a topic isn't strictly bowhunting related. I don't think we are that fragile. #bowsiteisnotasafespace.
Another one of my lap dogs?
I like most Dogs, better than I like most people.
This is my son with our bird dog. Can’t imagine living without a dog. She is part of our family.
I had two bloodhounds.....no more dogs for us. It was expensive and stressful for all being in the military and transferring around, especially overseas. Great hounds and lovable....but just like having a kid.
We have cats now and they seem to be more agreeable to traveling every year when we snowbird. They are self-sufficient for the most part. They were my recliner buddies when I was real sick a few years back.
I’ve always had a dog but when this one is gone I won’t be getting another. I’d like to dig sit for someone on occasion, that would be enough.
Pain in the butt but gotta love um.
I can't imagine not having a dog in my life.
My 12 year old lab Abby
My 12 year old lab Abby
I’ve had 2 that became a part of me. One is gone now and one is still with me - I don’t like to think about the day she joins him.
Never a day goes by that don't miss him...........
I believe "Steve Leffler's" dog is an English Pointer,not a GSP.I have one of each!Pretty by the way.I have had "hunting" dogs all my adult life;labs,short-hairs and English Pointers and wouldn't ever be with-out at least one.We normally have two and they are house dogs.
My rescue from MO Milo great dog and one hell of a bird hunter
I love dogs. I love them so much I'm not willing to have one again until I can make the full commitment to it's needs. My gf has a little min pin but it's all hers. Her food bill, her vet bills, her boarding fees when we go somewhere. I've got too many things to do and places to go right now while still working a full time job. When I retire, I may make the commitment again.
I used to have beagles and they were a blast....pure rabbit hunting hounds. I think labs are the best dog there is but the shedding is awful. I've always wanted a running companion dog and think it would be fun to train a blood trailer. My next dog would likely try to fill those two bills.
My dog is actually a french pointer. Her official name is Braque Francais. She is hell on grouse and woodcock.
I got Libby from a shelter about seven years ago. It took two months to get her to trust me. Now, she will only come inside to eat, if I am not home. When I am, she won't let me out of her sight. I saved her life and without a doubt, she saved mine. When I got her, I had just gotten out of the hospital, could barely walk and was severely depressed. We exercised together and healed together. One day, by accident, I found out she could tree squirrels like nobody's business...and was bad gun shy. Then, I found out she could also blood trail deer. She has helped me in many ways. She is a natural bob tail, TN Mountain Cur.
Thanks ground hunter -
Believe it or not all my hunting is down here in Texas. The birds start coming in about Thanksgiving and the season starts on December 18th (which happens to be today) and goes through the end of January.
My dream is to take her to the UP one day.
Gotta say, i too am with Apauls on this topic. Dogs are great and all, but they are more work than im willing to put in and more money than im willing to spend. My inlaws went through that phase a few years back and the dog was always an issue when they wanted to go somewhere. I had one growing up and he was huge and strong. Broke more chains than i can remember. And yes, he was an outside dog. Didnt shed one tear when we gave him away and i was a teenager at the time. Was kinda glad to see him go.
My wife likes dogs, but shes sortof allergic to them. I think its hit or miss depending on the breed. My son likes them but my little girl is scared of them. I admit, i much prefer cats. We had them too growing up. Self sufficient for the most part and dont require the work dogs do. However, my wife thinks cats are too sneaky and doesnt want one and me, i refuse to take care of one, so we cancel each other out. My son continually forgot to take care of his hermit crab, so i was forced into it which is another reason we wont be getting one.
Ok....... Maybe I've said too much. Honestly, im a nice guy!! Im done now.
Grunt-N-Gobble, I hear you, those hermit crabs are hell on wheels!
Count me in... Terrible shedding compared to my chocolate, but she's my girl and spends most days with me at work.
Sarge in the gun blind, waiting on pigs !
Sarge in the gun blind, waiting on pigs !
I can't stand by and let y'all out-dog me ! This is Sarge, my constant companion since I've retired. He goes almost everywhere with me. When I hunt pigs in the cart, he's riding shotgun. He loves to ride in the cart or the Ranger ! He's also a blood trailer, three deer and two hogs found since September, although one was very short and obvious, but I always like to let him track if he's around. Keeps him in practice.
One of the best things I ever did as a father was to buy both of my daughters a Labrador when they were three years old. Those dogs have enriched each of their lives incredibly and protected them while they played in the woods.
That said, those dogs will die around the time that my girls go to college. And they will not be replaced. I like dogs, but they are a pain in the ass.
Seamus O'Malley, my Golden with Charlie and me Turkey hunting in Maine!
Seamus O'Malley, my Golden with Charlie and me Turkey hunting in Maine!
Boomer
Boomer
Dogs are a part of our lives for sure. The irony is we will almost always out live them and good byes are hard. Lost my yellow lab Boomer in June. He was a special friend. Not sure I will ever it over it and not sure I want to. I have a brown lab that's 5 years old and she's special too. Life go's on. As has been said many times "Don't cry it's over, rejoice that it happened".
Recovering from back surgery.....
Love my dogs. The dark one is in doggie heaven. The grey one will be 16 in March. We will be dog less for a while after he is gone.
Mine don't hunt but love fishing.
My Spinone pup Isabella. I thought I was done after my GWP left me last March but I don't think I can be without a dog.
My Spinone pup Isabella. I thought I was done after my GWP left me last March but I don't think I can be without a dog.
A lot depends on the dog you have. We have two - a Decker terrier and a Brittany. We got both as puppies. I trained the Decker to track blood and he is a great dog - obeys commands, lets me know when he wants out, comes into the house when he's done and sleeps on the couch with me. The Brittany is a nut case - chews clothes, won't respond readily to commands and is a pain in the rear. I won't miss him when he's gone. I'd take six Deckers over one like the Brittany. Now that I'm retired, it's nice to have a dog around the house while my wife's working.
I love my dog
But I am not sympathetic to dog lovers. I don't like other people's dogs and don't want to be expected to like other people's dogs.
A current trend that I am not cool with is taking your dog everywhere and just expecting others to love your dog. There is not need to take your dog to sporting events, family functions, etc. etc. If you have to take it with you don't drag it up to me and expect me to love your pet. I have my own that I love and I respectfully left it home or in the truck as to not bother you with my pet. If you ever see me with a small rat dog in a shoulder bag carrying it into the local high school gymnasium just shoot me and put me out of my misery.
oz
Piper is awesome! Border collie/Lab mix! She’s super smart and loyal! Loves the kids and won’t hardly let me out of her sight when I’m home.
My cat takes a nap with me every day.
There goes the neighborhood..
I hope that cats name isn't crossbow.........
Gunner
Gunner
I love labs. Gunner is my third. I will probably always have a lab, even after I'm not physically able to duck hunt any more.
My dogs give me far more than I can repay them.
If you never have been owned by a dog try this. Take a dog and your wife or girlfriend and put them in the trunk of a car. Take a long bumpy ride and when you return open the trunk. One will be happy to see you the other well.......
75# lapdog
75# lapdog
Lambeau turns 2 in January, getting darker by the day.
Lambeau turns 2 in January, getting darker by the day.
I will never go a period longer than 6 months until the day that I die and not own a field bred golden retriever, up to 25 roosters on the year, # would be a lot higher if he traded in his owner for a better shot! Love labs and retrievers. Big dope is a 75 pound lapdog in the house.
I do not trust any one that can make a blanket statement that they do not like dogs.Do not have to own one but if they hate dogs there has to be somthing wrong with them.
Drummer Boy, hard to argue with that.
Ever meet someone that your dog just looks at and instantly dislikes? My girlfriend's Pit loves everyone. One guy we know walks in and the dog looks at him and growls. First sign of aggression we've ever seen out of her. In my experience, They are usually excellent judges of character.
My old retired Alu when he was just a few months. Those were his birds. Wouldn't leave em. He didn't point em all, but he retrieved (dragged) em all. On his last days now, but he was a machine in his prime. Still sleeps in the bedroom.
Grown up Alu on the right at about 5 or 6.... the best bird dog I ever had on the left, Wheels. Best team I've ever owned or ever worked with..... so many days we'd be done in less than an hour and then go help others limit out. They just worked together so well. Running birds, they'd team up and stop em, didn't matter. Wheels usually had em locked up..... but he wouldn't retrieve. Alu would retrieve down into 100 foot plus cliffs, waterfalls and gulches.... always found em and brought it back. One season we never lost a bird, wingtipped or whatever, we always got em. Sure miss ol Wheels, think of him all the time. Had been retired for a few years, was having a restless night, I got up to get ready for work, he lifted his head off his bed in the bedroom and said hi like always. When I got out of the bathroom he was gone.
Working with two females now, Sassy is around 7, the pup Skittles is about a year and a half. Don't know about that pup, I think she was better at 6 months last year at times. But I think she'll come around. Hard headed. Going into 3 straight days of hunting, that should line em out some. Both are pure snuggle sweethearts at home though.
Like Lou said....can't imagine not having a dog....
At the cattle ranch where I hunt in Oregon one of the cowboys had a long haired chihuahua sized dog. The cowboy is around 6’4” and probably weighs 350. He was holding this dog one day and I said is that your wife’s dog? He looked at me and said NO, it’s my dog. Why do ya ask. No reason. It’s a nice lookin dog that’s all. Sometimes it’s best if you don’t push an issue. Especially when he’s a whole lot bigger than you.
Love my LBD. He's been the best hunting buddy added to the duck blind this year!
I'm getting ready to pick up a female golden lab pup in a couple weeks that we put a deposit down on in October. My kids are going to be super excited when they find out, hoping to take them down to the breeder to meet her on Christmas eve. They have no clue!
When I was 13 yrs old, we got a dog from the farmer we leased our hunting land from. She was 4 months old at the time, and we named her Tabby. She was a collie/lab mix as best we could figure. To say I loved that dog was an understatement. I had her through high school, then got married, moved out west, and had my first child before she passed away. I was 28 when we put her down, and she was around 2 months shy of 15. I thought I could hold it together when I loaded her up and took her to the vet. I was holding her when he put her down and am unashamed to say I cried like a baby. The vet put it best: "You were together all of her life and half of yours."
That was over 5 years ago, and I still get emotional just writing this or every time I look at a picture of her. She was the sweetest dog you can imagine. I never met anyone that didn't like Tabby. I used to stroke her head and kiss on her when she was laying down on her side and talk to her, and she would just lay there and whine and we would talk to each other. I was the only one she would do that with, and was most definitely her human.
Before Tabby we had always had poodles and the last one we had to get rid of because he would constantly mess in the house. The day we brought Tabby home, I'll never forget. Me and dad had just got back from our weekend bow hunting trip (I got my first deer that weekend or the next I can't remember). During that trip we stopped by to see the farmer, and this adorable pup comes up to us. I was the youngest of 5 by a lot, and at that point all my siblings were married and out of the house. I'm guessing dad just thought it would be good for me to have a companion, so on the spur of a moment we got her from the farmer, but dad never said a word to mom! When we got home and walked in the door, I'll never forget, my mom was sitting in her favorite chair talking on the phone to a friend. Tabby goes up to mom wagging her tail, and my mom screams while on the phone, scaring Tabby to death which caused her to promptly squat and pee on the floor!!!! hahaha.... We thought for sure we were going to be taking her back the next weekend. As it turned out my mom grew to love that dog immensely. My mom was a very fixy and proper lady, but would always be sure to save her leftover food form restaurants for Tabby. We always got a kick out of that.
We moved out to Montana when I was 24, and my mom was definitely bummed to see her go. Tabby died 4 years after we came out here. My mom passed away 3 1/2 years after Tabby. My mom and that dog were by far the most tangible ties to my childhood, but they're both gone now. Life is strange sometimes..... Like some have already posted I just kind of lost the heart to replace that dog until now. I've realized though that my kids need to experience the joy of a dog that I had growing up. I'll may never have a bod with another dog like I had with Tabby, but I hope my kids do.
Quite the mix... I think I win!
Quite the mix... I think I win!
The big guy is just under a 100lbs. He is an American Bulldog and he thinks he weighs about the same as the little guy:)
We live on a nice big lot and they love to be out running around, but they all sleep in the house.
The big guy is just under a 100lbs. He is an American Bulldog and he thinks he weighs about the same as the little guy:)
We live on a nice big lot and they love to be out running around, but they all sleep in the house.
Some great looking pups guys! Here is my fleet! The one on the left has left us- she was a great hunter and buddy! The next one is adopted, but is very sweet! Then G- Money, he is the man! Then The little guy-he was my sons dog. then the Scruffy one- She is an AWESOME bird dog. My kids call me The Dog Father:)
Nice thread!! Our family has always had a black lab, we are on our third one...hence, she was named Tres. The other dog shown is our other son's pup, Shep. Dogs are cool!
SOFTIES!!!!! At our house the dogs are firmly disciplined.
This is Bella. She is a royal PITB but is loyal and loves hanging with me in my home office.
#roughlife
On a side note... Some beautiful dogs posted up in this thread...the owners on the other hand.......... ;)
What is a royal PITB? That dog looks like a golden retriever.
Pain In The Butt.... duhh....... mine is a PITA........ still don't know what we're going to do with him when we go on our Alaskan cruise in May....
Yeah, PITB mixed with PITA ;)
YEP! Chase the wonder dog. Gives nothing but love back.
YEP! Chase the wonder dog. Gives nothing but love back.