[mountn man]

I had a 11 year old Irish Setter who had arthritis, her last year or 2. But not REAL bad. You could tell when she would get up. Some days moving around was a little difficult.

She loved my grandpas farm. She could run the fields for hours. She loved to swim. One time, I was out by the pond, waxing my car, and she was in the pond swimming around. The barn swallows flew overhead and would swoop down towards her and she'd turn and swim after them, barking at it,. Another would swoop and she'd turn anb swim and bark. This continued on for at least 2 hours, without her feet touching land.

Her last 4th of July, we walked up town and I took her to the pond at the park. I unhooked her leash and told her to go ahead. She looked at me with a look, as if to say "REALLY". Then she ran in. She swam and swam and swam some more. Then she came out. I could tell she still had more in her. I told he that she could swim some more if she wanted to, so she turned around and went back in. I swear, dogs DO understand what we say.

When she came out, I could tell she had enough, so we started walking home. We had walked maybe 200 hundred yds, and I could tell the arthritis was bothering her, but we kept going. She went maybe another 100 yds before she just kind of stopped and said "Dad, do we really have to go home? I'm tired and I ache." So I picked her up and carried her the rest of the way home.

She's been gone almost 22 years now. I will always remember that day with her.

[over3Owithabrain]

What a sweet story - thanks for sharing. I had to put my border collie Sadie down in April after 16 years of life. Like your Setter, she had her days in the sun (and water), days which I was privileged to share with her and I will never forget. She got old, senile and very gimpy at the end, but I will always remember her in her prime - leaping off a pier into the lake or getting lost in the Blue Ridge mountains chasing wild turkeys.

Man's best friend indeed.

[the OlLine Rebel]

So sweet. Love the stories.

I will never forget my most beloved German Shepherd ever. Her birthday would be Sunday here. She would be 29.

That is 1 dog I wish could live Guiness-Book length, especially for a “large” dog. I’d never mind having her all my life. True perfection.

[Don W]

I had a similar day [cat style, lolling in the sunny yard, watching birds, etc.] 6 weeks ago my Quatorze (the original Viking Kitty). The next day, she was a limp rag when I took her for that last ride.

She’s buried where we had our last play session.

[trisham]

Now I’m just crying. God bless you.

[Cowgirl of Justice]

Your post has made me cry.

Our basset/yellow lab mix received chemo about six months ago for lymphoma. We found out two days ago it has come back with a vengeance and his time on earth is very limited.

I would easily trade ten years of my life to have him healthy and pain free.