Old Friends
Zeus, one of our chocolate labs, had a body that fit his name; weighing in at an athletic 110 pounds in his prime. His heart was as large for friends and family alike. When it came to being in the field, anything smaller than a wood duck he didn’t pay much attention to. Quail and doves he’d reluctantly retrieve. However, geese were what stoked his fire for hunting. Maybe it was the size of the birds and the heft between his jaws as he lumbered back through muddy dairy fields that made it feel like they were worth his while. He lived a long 14 year life, which is even more impressive given his size.
Watching your aging companion slow is never easy and finding the right time for their last hunt is just as difficult. Their ‘want’ does not deteriorate with age. While you should always be thinking about the weather and conditions, it is imperative as they get older. Will they be running in soft mud on the low tide? Are the temperatures going to be cold? Will they have a place for them to be out of the water?
Having a first aid kit on hand or in the truck for when things go wrong is critical. Additionally, being prepared to make them comfortable while they work and make their job easier is important. Extra water, a dog stand, if applicable, and a well-fitting dog vest are necessary tools that you’ll need more often as they get older. Taking ethical and decoying shots are the goal every time you go out. Minimize the chance of ‘sailers’ or putting your dog in scenarios where they have to swim against a hard tide on long retrieves.
When taking care of your own Sally or Zeus, watch what their bodies tell you during the season and throughout the day-to-day life. Have open communication with their veterinarian in addition to making sure that they are well-versed in the life of sporting dogs.
As Nash Buckingham eloquently put, “How kind it is that most of us will never know when we’ve fired our last shot.” In the case of your trusty bird dog you might, and for them, make it worth their life’s purpose.
About the Author : Shawn Swearingen
Visit authors website | View more articlesBorn and raised throughout the forests and farms of Oregon. The 9-5 work life led him to the D.C. area in 2008 a few short years after college at Oregon State. Writing about the outdoors is one of the ways he is able to cope with living in the suburbs of Northern Virginia. He is also callmaking, wingshooting, gardening, fishing, and introducing his two young sons with his wife to the great outdoors in hopes to do as well as his parents were able. He is a regular contributor for Split Reed and Mossy Oak, as well as being published by Free Range American, Tom Beckbe’s Field Journal and Dirtbag Magazine.
IG: @shawn_swearingen
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