Andshe 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)

[SHEDHEAD]

Thanks for Sharing! Always tough to see them get older while giving it all they have doing what they love! Great looking dog!

[Ithaca Dog]

Lucky to have a partner like that one. What a way to end a season. Love the model 12 too. Thanks for sharing.

[Bigwoodsman]

Great story and picture. Thanks for sharing.

BW

[nekred]

Can't see the picture but thanks for sharing....

[spaded]

Awesome!!!

I love my dogs! They sure make me smile!

[dodger]

She is a good looking gal.

Dodger.

[RedLabel]

I love the accomplished look on her face, beautiful dog!

[lone wolf]

Great story, thanks for sharing. As the owner of two older dogs, it really struck a chord.

[rugatika]

Sounds like a well deserved retirement coming up. Thanks for the story and pic.

[KUDUHNTR]

Nice looking Pal, time to take up fishing with her, my Shadow is getting up there in age, never a dull moment with her!

[kylelaw]

Good Post
Thanks for sharing

[coreya3212]

Well done.

[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.

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

Shoot #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)

Shoot#3
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n499/FoxtonGundogs/Hunting%202016/keela20nov.jpg (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/FoxtonGundogs/media/Hunting%202016/keela20nov.jpg.html)
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n499/FoxtonGundogs/Hunting%202016/keela20novb.jpg (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/FoxtonGundogs/media/Hunting%202016/keela20novb.jpg.html)

[silverdoctor]

That's amazing for her. Dogs, just when you figure to have them pegged.

[catnthehat]

Looks like you two had a grand time!
Cat

[Sooner]

Awesome. Nice dog.

[dodger]

This makes me smile ! THANKS!

Dodger.

[3blade]

That last pic...just beautiful. One very happy dog :) great thread

[Fisherpeak]

Smile on my face and tears in my eyes. Bless her.

[sns2]

Thank you for posting. What a beautiful hunting partner. A treasure really.

[rugatika]

Great update. And you got some great pics this year!!

Thanks

[theycallmeNoah]

Great story, thanks for sharing. As the owner of two older dogs, it really struck a chord.

Me too. Unfortunately ours girls did not make it out this year. Maddie was diagnosed with cancer and Piper injured her leg.

Here's to hoping that next fall is better for my girls!

[wwbirds]

My black lab male has not been hunted for 4 years but when he slipped his collar in September and walked away while I was cleaning his outside run I found him chasing birds in the dugout near the house. He had turned 16 in July.

Most of the golden males that lived to a ripe old age were hunted until 12 or even 13 before the hearing and vision prevented them from responding to the whistle in low light after swimming out to pick up a duck they had seen fall. Like you I watch out for them but cannot routinely just assign a stop age on something they wish to continue doing.
If they live to do it I cant just take it away.

[Albertadiver]

very cool. Great to see such a bond between you two.

[Foxton Gundogs]

I am very fortunate indeed to have her daughter and granddaughter in my kennel but the blind won't be the same when she finally "tells" me she has had enough. Merry Christmas to all and all the best for '17

[rugatika]

By the way, that's a gorgeous Golden.