Thread: Farewell old friend

My older dog GWP Burl has lost most of the use of his back legs. Sadly he is also losing his quality of life and although we worked hard together pulling him out of holes, uneven ground, the river, up steps and lots of other things to allow him to hunt and fossick, the awful reality is that he is continually now at risk of an accidental and unpleasant demise. Sadly, I have had to make the awful decision to end it. Today he still happily gnaws on a bone and enjoys his feed and a short walk, albeit with me supporting him from falling and helping him to get upright in order to move. Burl wants mostly to be right by me at all times now and is distressed if I move away.

So today I have prepared his grave and tomorrow morning will see his final release. The hundreds of miles trekked together, pheasants, ducks, geese, deer and quail we have hunted together and the humour along the way, over the past 14 years will never be erased from memory.
I grieve. Burl is special. Good dogs become a part of our lives and spirit.
I hope he understands.