My girl, Sheila, passed away today as I held her in my arms. A tumor that has been growing in her chest was squeezing the life out of her and she just couldn't breath anymore. It's been a bummer of a day. Someone once commented that they never saw a picture of me without a Marlin in my hand or me without my dog. That pretty much sums it up.

Shiela was an Australian Kelpie, never heard or saw one until I was introduced to her. She started her life working my cattle along with some other dogs and when I got rid of the cattle the other dogs left with the sale. Sheila had won my heart and had picked up the handy ability to blood trail deer and hogs. When I wasn't flying the airliner, she was with me every step of the way. Whenever I picked up a Marlin, she knew "WE" meant business and was hot on my heels out the door.

When I went out into the pasture today to check on things for the Postal Match hunt, it was lonely out in that brush... that is going to take some getting use to. I'm going to really miss my girl...

http://home.awesomenet.net/~ranch-dog/Digger%20Dog.jpg

http://home.awesomenet.net/~ranch-dog/Hunting/Images/44%20Trapper%20Kill%2001B.jpg

I still remember when the dog I grew up with died. It was hard.

Take care
Jack

Gol dern it R.D. I am sorry for your loss. :(

I had to put down my rotty, Abigail, last spring right after I had surgery on my right hand. Was real upset that day and for quite awhile after. She road with me to work everyday for over 4 years and was a faithful companion for almost ten. Never had to woory about strangers when she was on watch.

Sheila will be missed by us all. Even those who never met her.

Ranch Dog,

I am so sorry. Years ago i was going threw ptsd therapy and i would not cry till I lost my black Lab. I remember him telling me, remember the good years she had with you. She will not forget.

Hard...very hard....but it's the best place for a life long friend to be when they move on out of our lives.

Thanks guys and God bless you...

So sorry for you. It will be hard to get used to but just remember nothing will take those good memories away and soon you'll be ready to make more. Mike B.

Ranch Dog,
So sorry for your loss. I will be praying for your comfort and your continued GREAT memories of Sheila.
God bless,
Greg

Very sorry RD. Those faithful dogs sure capture our hearts. You'll see her again.

Sorry to hear that Mike. Not much a guy can say other than I've been there. My dog Bandit was 3 parts Border Collie / 1 part German Shepherd ... think of a Border Collie but with the size of a German Shepherd and that's what he was .... loyal, smart, strong and hanging onto my every mood.

All the best, - GL

The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

to old dogs, and good friends (a toast).
Cheezywan

"Ain't but three things in the world worth a solitary dime, that's old dogs, children, and watermelon wine." Tom T. Hall

Michael - know there's an empty spot in your heart right now. Dogs become part of the family and their loss impacts as much as a family member. Sad for your loss.

Hope you find a good replacement soon. TPV found a loveable mutt that gives him great companionship and put a spark back in his eyes. Maybe you'll get lucky again, too.

Sorry to hear about Sheila, Michael. It's a tough loss when a pet who is your best friend dies. As always, we'll be keeping you in our hearts up here in North Idaho. Take care.

Sorry to hear, Michael. My best to you & all......

Dan

Thanks guys

I am sorry for your loss :(

Ranch Dog,
I really feal sorry for you.I know what you are going through;and will go thriugh for some time to come.
My beagle,Charlene,passed away six years ago,this upcoming July.
I never wore my Hunting/Hiking boots for work,so when She saw me with them on,she would go into a tailwaggin' fit. If,for some reason,I couldn't take her,it was like I stabbed her in the heart.
After awhile,You will come to realize that these bittersweet meamories are to be cherished.Think of the many folks who never had a dog like yours.
Keep the Faith,
Frank

My condolences.

I am sorry for your loss.

Time and special memmories work together to mostly fill the large hole left by the loss of your dog.

She was one sharp dog from the pics that you posted.

Fireplug

There is absolutely no way that anyone could understand and feel what you are feeling (and us who have been in the same boat) unless they had lost a good dog!
Awhile back I had to put down Ole Tygerman bulldog myself.......he was having strokes and suffering very bad! It was Sunday night and we could not find the vet. If you think losing one is bad, wait until you have to pull the trigger on one yourself!.....you will never forget it!.........Regards, James

You have my heartfelt sympathy, RD. The memories of Sheila will remain close to your heart forever. :(

mike

Sorry for your loss Ranch Dog, A man never gets over a good companion, as he will always remember the good times. Think of those often, and remember her last days with you made her happy.

Lee L.

It is good, the love you and she shared--one of Life's wonders.

I can still smell my dog. He died in 1961.

The hardest man can't help but soften at a time like this. I'm dreading the day those loving, trusting eyes close for the last time, just as i've dreaded it in the past. My heart goes out to you...

It is truly hard to lose one's Best Friend. A friend that knows more about us than we do ourself. True to us no matter our faults. I send you my condolences.

I can't count the number of times the thought that a good dog is a better, truer human being than 99% of the two legged ones I've met. At my age, I've held six dogs I loved dearly while the vet put them to sleep. Knowing "there comes a time" doesn't make it any easier.

I'm sure there will come a time when you're able to do something for someone and think, that was for Sheila.

Dan

Thanks fellows for your comments and thoughts. Slowly the thinking will turn from hurt to all the great memories of times spent with Sheila.

I had to travel last night and my wife had a real hard time as it was the first time she had ever spent the night on the ranch by herself. She never had a worry about security with the Ranch Dog in control of things.

Tough loss. That dog was smarter, and more useful, than a considerable number of people I have met.

Think I remember taking the second picture. That's the hog we had to drag up the snot-covered hill, with you having a bum leg......

Yeap... that's the hog and picture. I had knee surgery a few days prior and when my Doctor looked at my knee a couple of days after this hunt... fired me as a patient. I guess he had never been hog hunting!

Here is a picture of Sheila riding home in the back of your truck that night...

http://home.awesomenet.net/~ranch-dog/Sheila/Happy Ranch Dog.jpg

I'm really missing my girl Mike....

Michael,
Sorry for your loss, I will be praying for you. I think MikeG hit the nail on the head, some dogs are better than a lot of people. Not much else I can say, really sorry man.

-Matt

I might have to have you print out a copy of that!

Not all dogs are special and some people aren't that special. When you find one and loose them..... no answer but sorry.

Sorry to hear that, Michael. Hopefully your next dog is just as good

Morning Michael,

Sorry to hear of your loss

I went out the backyard and gave both of them a hug for you

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/granville_it/SandyandPepper.jpg

Pepper. on the left is a pure Australian Kelpie, Sandy on the right is a Kelpie/Cattle dog cross. Both top dogs.

Mark, Sydney, Australia

Friends All......Would it not be great if we could be as good a people, as our dogs think we are?........James

Friends All......Would it not be great if we could be as good a people, as our dogs think we are?........James
Yep. Mom just lost her German Shepherd last week. It is tough to lose one of your best friends. No matter the species. But especially dogs. Lost my Rottie three years ago. Both vets were out of town that day and had to put him down myself. I'd rather shoot a man. My heart is lighter now with the Australian shepherd out back of the house. He is like all dogs we get close to. Perceptive as all getout and quite dissapointed if I'm down at all. He smiles and takes me for a walk at those times. Just when you are not looking for one, another dog will most likely steal your heart. That will be my prayer for you Michael. Bandito

Mark... Thanks for giving those two fine dogs a Texas hug! I'd do it myself if I could.

James... A good dog does that, I think you try to live a better life to meet their expectations of you.

Bandito... Sorry to hear about your mom's dog and thanks for your prayer.

I sure miss my Sheila dog.

They say a good dog can do the work of five men,
and they probably can.
I know they can give you as much love as any five men can.
Throughout my life most of my best friends have been dogs.

Sorry you lost her ranch dog.

Bob

RD;

I have walked in your shoes, and lost a good companion once also. Lou was a Malmute, a strapping dog of 100+ pounds, but gentle as a lamb.

I understand your loss and sorrow, and remember you in my thoughts.

There is an expression that goes something like this:

"The more I know of mankind, the more I love my dog"

God Bless.