Early this spring I noticed Sarge having to make a couple tries to jump up onto the tailgate of my pick-up truck. Then on about a 10 mile prospecting hike he did something he never did before. He simply disappeared. I called & searched all over for him to no avail. Then I hiked back to my jeep, where I found him resting in the shade, next to it.
Couple days later, I took him to the Vet, for a check-up. The Vet looked him over. Prognosis was old age & hips going bad. He is still strong as a bull & quick when he has reason to be. None the less, it's apparent, it's time to retire him from "active duty".
Which is heart-breaking, as I really love my old dog. Sarge has not only served me well for over a decade, he saved my life a few times, and also saved a few others on S&R call outs.
Retirement doesn't mean I will no longer take Sarge on hunting/fishing, field, prospecting & camping trips. I will, but he is going to be relegated to "guarding" camp. I'm not getting any younger myself & I need a well trained obedient healthy dog with me as an extra set of eyes & ears when I am out in the bush.
So, it looks like I am on the hunt for a puppy to train up for active duty.
It's a sad day.
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It’s dangerous to be right, when the government is wrong. The price of freedom can be seen at your local VA hospital.
Retiring your beloved dog from active duty is tough.
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