To all the good ones

Post Reply
User avatar
Tim Tufts
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2021 11:01 am

To all the good ones

Post by Tim Tufts » Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:49 am

I wrote this in memory of all the good bird dogs I've owned, bred, and judged over the last 55 years.


"bleep" Old Dog

When that chilly old blue norther tears the colours from the trees
And the flight birds get the urge to up and leave
It’s then I’d get the boots oiled and shoulder up the gun
It’s then you’d get your youth back and remember how to run

You were always much too headstrong casting out for far too long
Full of notions and a will that would not bend
But your casts seemed to grow shorter with the evening coming on
Smell of gun oil, smokey whiskey, and a wet dog at days end

The spirit was too eager and the hound was just too old
The freeze came on to early and you couldn’t take the cold
I was down to one of our old haunts out back the other day
Now I’m wishing it would snow enough to take your tracks away

I still see you in the morning when the frost cuts through the air
I still smell you when the dampness fills the room
I remember how I cursed you cleaning mud off of my chair
And I cry to think they took you home away from me so soon

There were times you’d work so pretty that you’d please most any eye
Then there’s times I’d almost bring about your end
Now the sun’s gone down the fire’s gone out the bottles nearly dry
And that "bleep" old dog has done me once again.

weimdogman
Rank: Champion
Posts: 315
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:02 am
Location: brookings s.dak.

Re: To all the good ones

Post by weimdogman » Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:09 am

Great writing!

User avatar
deseeker
Rank: 5X Champion
Posts: 1185
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 1:38 pm
Location: Blair, Nebraska

Re: To all the good ones

Post by deseeker » Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:24 am

Far too many have passed on :( , but they have left me with a lot of good memories :D

nevermind
Rank: Senior Hunter
Posts: 172
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:02 am

Re: To all the good ones

Post by nevermind » Wed Feb 17, 2021 3:21 pm

Enjoyed very much... thanks for sharing

ckirsch
Rank: 2X Champion
Posts: 434
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:46 pm
Location: Rapid City, SD

Re: To all the good ones

Post by ckirsch » Wed Feb 17, 2021 6:37 pm

You are a gifted writer. Your words paint pictures and convey emotions that likely resonate with most on this forum.

Sorry about your dog. My guess is that he felt the same way about you.

User avatar
Sharon
GDF Junkie
Posts: 9111
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 4:46 pm
Location: Ontario,Canada

Re: To all the good ones

Post by Sharon » Thu Feb 18, 2021 7:28 pm

So well said Tim ; anyone who has lost a dog can relate.
" We are more than our gender, skin color, class, sexuality or age; we are unlimited potential, and can not be defined by one label." quote A. Bartlett

Max2
Rank: 4X Champion
Posts: 620
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:06 pm
Location: Upstate NY

Re: To all the good ones

Post by Max2 » Fri Feb 19, 2021 5:58 am

deseeker wrote:
Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:24 am
Far too many have passed on :( , but they have left me with a lot of good memories :D
& smiles . So many times while afield I think of my past dogs and a smile and a good feeling comes over me. Out there with a new candidate who's coming into his own and so many times I feel Jax & Max standing there with me saying " he'll get it" Nothing worse then when we have say good by to them . Turns our worlds upside down but as time goes on the smiles start show'n up everytime we think of them...

To the O/P sorry for the side track - enjoyed your post !

birddogger2
Rank: 3X Champion
Posts: 544
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:15 am
Location: Lower slower Delaware

Re: To all the good ones

Post by birddogger2 » Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:32 am

Thank you Tim.

Your words ring true for anyone who has walked behind(or sat in a blind next to) a gundog.

I'll raise a glass tonight to all the ones I remember.

RayG

User avatar
NEhomer
Rank: 4X Champion
Posts: 675
Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2015 5:58 pm
Location: Western, MA

Re: To all the good ones

Post by NEhomer » Sat Feb 20, 2021 7:02 am

Just terrfic stuff. Thanks for posting it~

seadog
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 64
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 6:11 am
Location: Ontario

Re: To all the good ones

Post by seadog » Sat Feb 20, 2021 11:40 pm

Hit home for sure , lost both my dogs in the last 8 months .

User avatar
MNTonester
Rank: Champion
Posts: 334
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 1:51 pm
Location: Duluth, MN

Re: To all the good ones

Post by MNTonester » Mon Feb 22, 2021 2:17 pm

Funny how an old beloved dog can turn us into poets. Just prior to our old Lab Chaz's passing I wrote this:

The old dog lies before the fire, he whimpers now and then.
His dreams are filled with glorious deeds remembrances of when
His limbs could take him anywhere. No cover barred his way.
Rain, nor wind, nor freezing cold could never make him stay.
The hunt, and masters loving touch were things that fired his mind.
The gamebird’s scent, the feel of feathers, the treasures he could find.
He started out a gangly thing, delightful as can be. A playful puppy playing fetch;
He grew in size and loyalty. His master’s partner, on the trail,
The smell of Autumn fields, a shot is fired, he marks the fall, he locates without fail.
He knows his master’s hunting clothes, the shotgun, and the season.
He notes the color of the leaves; he doesn’t have to reason if there is no other
Purpose for his being there. The two of them have formed a bond
that time can never rend. It is as if they look beyond the trials that lie ahead.
Through all his years, his faithful years he’s been there at his side;
It’s just not right to feel this way, so this is time and tide.
He lifts his old grey muzzle, with effort gains his feet. He looks at me with cloudy eyes
And our gazes meet. I cup his face between my hands and gently scratch his chin.
I speak his name, his tail wags, he nudges closer in. I wish that I could give him
Some of my time I have left. I know he’d do the same for me (perhaps he already has).
I know his thoughts, he’s telling me, “don’t ever leave me home. I have one more hunt to share with you wherever you may roam. My failing legs will find the strength, my nose will lead us true, don’t miss the one last opportunity I have to spend with you.”
He sleeps now by the fire and dreams of bygone birds. He yips and barks and freely runs and in his dreaming girds himself for his last hunt before he goes away. Rest well, dear friend, it’s now my turn to dream of hunts we shared and then join you some day.

User avatar
Tim Tufts
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2021 11:01 am

Re: To all the good ones

Post by Tim Tufts » Tue Feb 23, 2021 6:08 am

Brought tears to my eyes,
Lovely thoughts.
As we move along more and more of our life revolves around memories vs. actions.

User avatar
MNTonester
Rank: Champion
Posts: 334
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 1:51 pm
Location: Duluth, MN

Re: To all the good ones

Post by MNTonester » Tue Feb 23, 2021 3:30 pm

MNTonester wrote:
Mon Feb 22, 2021 2:17 pm
Funny how an old beloved dog can turn us into poets. Just prior to our old Lab Chaz's passing I wrote this:

The old dog lies before the fire, he whimpers now and then.
His dreams are filled with glorious deeds remembrances of when
His limbs could take him anywhere. No cover barred his way.
Rain, nor wind, nor freezing cold could ever make him stay.
The hunt, and masters loving touch were things that fired his mind.
The gamebird’s scent, the feel of feathers, the treasures he could find.
He started out a gangly thing, delightful as can be. A playful puppy playing fetch;
He grew in size and loyalty. His master’s partner, on the trail,
The smell of Autumn fields, a shot is fired, he marks the fall, he locates without fail.
He knows his master’s hunting clothes, the shotgun, and the season.
He notes the color of the leaves; he doesn’t have to reason if there is no other
Purpose for his being there. The two of them have formed a bond
that time can never rend. It is as if they look beyond the trials that lie ahead.
Through all his years, his faithful years he’s been there at his side;
It’s just not right to feel this way, so this is time and tide.
He lifts his old grey muzzle, with effort gains his feet. He looks at me with cloudy eyes
And our gazes meet. I cup his face between my hands and gently scratch his chin.
I speak his name, his tail wags, he nudges closer in. I wish that I could give him
Some of my time I have left. I know he’d do the same for me (perhaps he already has).
I know his thoughts, he’s telling me, “don’t ever leave me home. I have one more hunt to share with you wherever you may roam. My failing legs will find the strength, my nose will lead us true, don’t miss the one last opportunity I have to spend with you.”
He sleeps now by the fire and dreams of bygone birds. He yips and barks and freely runs and in his dreaming girds himself for his last hunt before he goes away. Rest well, dear friend, it’s now my turn to dream of hunts we shared and then join you some day.

User avatar
Sharon
GDF Junkie
Posts: 9111
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 4:46 pm
Location: Ontario,Canada

Re: To all the good ones

Post by Sharon » Tue Sep 13, 2022 12:28 pm

Now I'm bringing up an old thread. :) because my dog passed over today......(9 years old with cancer) . I've had 9 dogs in my lifetime and had to put 8 down ( one was stolen), but it is never easier as you know. This thread really encouraged me. Because of Parkinson's Disease , this dog was my last dog , which makes it even harder. Thank you for these wonderful posts friends.
" We are more than our gender, skin color, class, sexuality or age; we are unlimited potential, and can not be defined by one label." quote A. Bartlett

User avatar
Garrison
Rank: 5X Champion
Posts: 1213
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:29 pm
Location: Winchester CA

Re: To all the good ones

Post by Garrison » Tue Sep 13, 2022 12:46 pm

Sharon wrote:
Tue Sep 13, 2022 12:28 pm
Now I'm bringing up an old thread. :) because my dog passed over today......(9 years old with cancer) . I've had 9 dogs in my lifetime and had to put 8 down ( one was stolen), but it is never easier as you know. This thread really encouraged me. Because of Parkinson's Disease , this dog was my last dog , which makes it even harder. Thank you for these wonderful posts friends.
It saddens me to hear this Sharon, sorry for your loss…..Any possibility of a trained assistance dog? You have been helping them long enough, maybe you can find one to start helping you.

Thanks for everything you do, you are very much appreciated.

Garrison
“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”
- Mark Twain-

User avatar
BlessedGirl
Rank: Master Hunter
Posts: 211
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2021 4:20 pm
Location: Washington

Re: To all the good ones

Post by BlessedGirl » Tue Sep 13, 2022 6:06 pm

I'm sorry to hear that, Sharon. It's sad losing a canine friend. They are so loyal and devoted which makes it even harder.... <3
"Heaven isn't for good people. Heaven is for forgiven people."

ckirsch
Rank: 2X Champion
Posts: 434
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:46 pm
Location: Rapid City, SD

Re: To all the good ones

Post by ckirsch » Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:03 am

Sorry, Sharon. I can only imagine what it will be like to say goodbye to my final dog. Probably won't be too far off for me so I'm reminding myself to enjoy every second I get with mine.

I sure hope you'll remain involved in the forum. It would seem emptier without you.

User avatar
Sharon
GDF Junkie
Posts: 9111
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 4:46 pm
Location: Ontario,Canada

Re: To all the good ones

Post by Sharon » Wed Sep 14, 2022 9:12 am

Thank you. I'm not going anywhere. :)
" We are more than our gender, skin color, class, sexuality or age; we are unlimited potential, and can not be defined by one label." quote A. Bartlett

marysburg
Rank: Champion
Posts: 341
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:54 am

Re: To all the good ones

Post by marysburg » Thu Oct 27, 2022 8:49 pm

Oh Sharon, I just saw this thread. So sorry to hear of your last dog passing. So many of us are getting to that stage, and we surely feel your pain. I think the idea of a service dog for you is a really good one, that is if you think you are up for it. Glad to hear that you will still be keeping us inspired and on the "straight and narrow" here on the forum. All the best, marysburg

Post Reply