My ol friend

[Boondox]

You know, I was just looking at Molson last night thinking this would be his last hunting year. The hips are getting pretty stiff, and his eyesight isn't what it used to be. It's tough when they grow old, isn't it?

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[FarmerBob]

Hey Boondox...

What'cha mean your Goldens get insulted when they get referred to as Setters /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

My Setters would be quite upset with that remark /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

FarmerBob

 

[JayinNH]

Boondox,
I hear that! I had to put down my old German Shepard. She was a great dog. Very protective. I still miss her to this day. My girlfriend bought a Jack Russell /Fox Terrier. I never thought I would like a small dog. TJ's got a great personality and he loves to hunt. I want a Black Lab or a Golden Retriever REAL BAD!. I'm a huge Duck Hunter and I love Retrievers. Your photo made me very jealous. After TJ's been with us a couple of years I will get one. Too much work right now to concentrate on training a dog.
Jason

 

[RichS]

OUCH! Sorry to hear about his first years. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif People like that should be on the receiving end of the baseball bat!!

Rich S.

 

[RichS]

Pete,
We got something called PetFlex from the vet for Thor, my golden, when he was 4 or 5 and he was having some problems with his hips. That first winter it was a once a day dose in his feed. The next winter and until now maybe have to give him some once or twice a winter but only when a pretty big storm is coming.


Rich S.

 

[Boondox]

FarmerBob -- My goldens are pretty stupid, but still smarter than the Irish setters some folks mistake them for! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[Boondox]

Rich -- We buy and use glucosamine and chondroitin in bulk. It helps Molson, but only so much. Molson's hips show some periosteal thickening that's a sure of past beatings. As much as I love that dog, he's a classic example of bad genetics and a prime reason we advise people to buy from a responsible breeder. We also give him aspirin after a big day, though it impacts his sense of smell.

The breeder we bought Tuppence the Wonder Pup from was able to show us vet records and photos going back at least ten generations on both sides of her parentage. She also sterilized an entire breeding line when one of her champions developed epilepsy. That sort of devotion to the breed turns out dogs that will be loving and healthy companions well into their senior years.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[NYTrainer]

Thought I'd post a pic of my dog Rufus (Bullmastiff).
He can't do tricks like my childhood dog, a sheltie, he can't carry things, fetch, hunt or even swim like our yellow lab did, but this old guy (9 yrs. old, large breeds, he's 150 lbs, typically don't live as long as smaller dogs) would literally give his own life to ensure that no harm would come to our family (Kubota included /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif). He also would not win any "beauty" contests but I could never expect, in my lifetime, to have another dog as faithful and devoted as he is. That part comes with the breed, I believe, as his father has similar, but not as profound, attributes. If you ever met this dog, I guarantee you wouldn't forget him any time soon.
Thanks for letting me toot his horn.
David

 

[Harv]

I dunno what to say about Rufus, David, but thems are two gorgeous kids! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

You have much to be proud of. Oh, and let's give your wife some credit, too. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Gfsimon]

OK, as long as we're sharing pictures /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif....
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=182597&a=6905801&p=23250797&Sequence=0

Taken last summer, but we have:
Cody, the Irish Wolfhound on the left, 5 years old.
Rudy, the Bouvier Du Flanders, 6 months (bigger now, and much better behaved /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Jake, the Yellow lab, 11 years (and getting old /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif)

I've been meaning to get a new "family" shot to post, but just haven't gotten around to it.


Jerry
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