Polly, Jan. 8, 2000- Oct. 31, 2007

Thor · Post by **Thor** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:11 am

Polly was my first setter, she came to be my dog via a trade. Polly was a avid hunter and handled wild birds very well. She was also well rounded in the field trial world, she was the 2002 Am. National Champion in UFTA, she also had points in NSTRA. But most importantly she was my friend. Yesterday I was hunting some country for pheasants, when her and my male GWP started to work some birds. After tracking up on them and getting them to hold a big covey of huns flushed. I shouldered my 20 guage and dropped a bird. She, Polly, marked the dead bird and went in for the retr. like she had thousands of times. She came back to the edge of the tall grass and stood with the bird in her mouth. I commanded to her to finish the retr.. As she started to finish I seen that her front leg was broken. I ran to her and gave a quick look and then picked her up and carried her around a mile to a mile and a half back to the vehicle. I drove her to the nearest vet and got some x-rays. She broke the bone above her elbow. The break was about 1/2" above her elbow and was broken off all the way up to her shoulder. After a long debate on what was the best thing for the dog, I reluctantly had to make one of the toughest decisions a bird dog owner ever has to make. The vet told me she probably wouldn't ever have control over her left front foot, due to severe nerve damage. Polly was an outstanding dog and will not be forgotten. For some reason my computer isn't allowing me to download pics of her. As soon as it starts to work I will put a few pics of her on the site. Thanks and have a good day. JW

BTW- The hun she was retr. is going to my taxidermist.

KY Grouse Hunter · Post by **KY Grouse Hunter** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:29 am

Thats awful. Just be glad you had that dog of a liftime. Some people don't even get that. Sorry.

CZShooter · Post by **CZShooter** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:34 am

Man that's so sad. Sorry for your loss.

Firstarrow · Post by **Firstarrow** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:00 am

Sorry for your loss. That decision is one of the toughest to make. Best of luck to you and yours.!!!

Anaconda Pintler · Post by **Anaconda Pintler** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 5:07 pm

Here you go Bro, I found these on my photobucket of the many hunts we have shared together along with Polly, sorry again to hear this, I knew when you called last night something was wrong in your voice, one thing about it she is hunting the best grounds known to any of us that is full full wild birds, Point them with a straight tail little Polly girl you will be missed!

Polly and AP:

AHGSP · Post by **AHGSP** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 5:46 pm

My sincerest apologies. A beautiful girl for certain.

Anaconda Pintler · Post by **Anaconda Pintler** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 6:56 pm

Another pic I found from last fall of Polly being honored by DGFavor's Trixie dog while hunting sharptails on the ranch in MT.

Coach529 · Post by **Coach529** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 6:57 pm

Sorry for your loss Thor. I have also had to had to make the choice to put a companion down.....it was the hardest choice I ever made.

schultz's honor · Post by **schultz's honor** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:16 pm

I am so sorry for the decision that you were forced to make and the loss of a good friend. A year and 2 months ago my wife and I were face with the same decision. It is absolutely horrible the sorrow we go through with the loss of our faithful companions.

Schultz's Honor

WiskeyJaR · Post by **WiskeyJaR** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:31 pm

Sorry to hear

DGFavor · Post by **DGFavor** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:46 pm

Well, sh!t. JW, thinkin' of ya man! Dang dogs...whoever came up with 'em being man's best friend sure knew what the heck they were talking about.

AT2 · Post by **AT2** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:49 pm

Dang, I am so sorry for your loss. I have only started to feel this way about my dogs. I cant imagine how this feels for you. I tried to put myself in your shoes just now and I can imagine how hard that was to do.

midwestfisherman · Post by **midwestfisherman** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:25 pm

Dam, thats a tough one. I'm sorry for your loss.

snips · Post by **snips** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:49 pm

Wow, I am very sorry. Was that the setter Rick worked for Stacey? She sure looked familiar. Hope I never gotta make that decision.

Karen · Post by **Karen** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:56 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss. She was beautiful.

Anaconda Pintler · Post by **Anaconda Pintler** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 5:25 am

Yes Brenda it is the same setter that Rick worked. She was a sweet little thing, and was a helluva bird dog, these are the type of things that nobody ever thinks is going to happen to them.

hubweims · Post by **hubweims** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:28 am

prayers and best wishes sent your way. polly sure was a beautiful dog. keep you chin up even though it seems hard to do.

Thor · Post by **Thor** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:50 am

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and words. Like I said, she wasn't just a bird dog to me she was my best friend. She was a joy to around. Even when life had a bad turn I could always count on seeing that little white dog and everything else just faded away. She was a teacher to alot of people who got to hunt behind her. She will always be missed and never forgotten. Times like these makes you wonder if it is all worth it or not, thing I walk outside and see the rest of my pack and say yes. Thanks again and have a good 1. JW

Post by **ezzy333** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:34 am

Thor,

Why don't you put your memories about Polly in the"Tribute to the Departed" forum where it will stay for all to read? You have made a couple of posts on here that should be preserved.

Ezzy

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:12 pm

So sorry for your loss of Polly. She was a beautiful dog and from the posts you have made brought you many great days afield and graced you with many wonderful memories.

God Bless,

Mav.....

Post by **Greg Jennings** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:21 pm

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Sincere condolences, Greg J.

AceofSpades41 · Post by **AceofSpades41** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:34 pm

Sorry for your loss my friend

, God Bless !!!