Goodbye Chloe Dog

[7mmfan]

It's taken me a week to muster up the will to write this. We had to put down our beloved Chloe Dog last Wednesday afternoon. She was 14.5, had lived a good long life and done a hell of a lot of fun things. She was a relentless retriever, steadfast friend and partner, and a never-ending source of licks, love, and dish cleaning.

I got her in college in April 2009 from a member of another hunting forum. He had bred his lab with another outside their kennel club, and had 2 pups left to get rid of. We weren't ready for her, living in an apartment at the time, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity for a free pure bred lab pup, knowing we were moving into a house within a few months. Over the next several years Chloe and I went on numerous adventures, hiking, fishing, and eventually taking up bird hunting when she was about 4 years old. For a novice bird hunter, she made it so easy. Her natural ability, drive, and instinct to hunt meant I had to do very little to train her. She experienced several moves over the years, eventually coming home to stay when we bought our first home in 2012 and was there for the birth of our first child in 2017. Grayson and Chloe became fast friends, almost always together.

I retired her from duck hunting 2020, as her hips just couldn't handle it anymore. She got to enjoy a couple of years of peaceful retirement. Ultimately, she suffered from spinal degeneration which lead her to not be able to walk reliably or get up on her own anymore. We helped her as long as we could, carrying her up and down stairs in the house, covering the floor with rugs and carpets to keep from slipping, but she began to develop pressure sores from laying so much, and we knew it was time.

She greeted every person with the same enthusiasm she did as a young dog right up to the end. When the veterinarian came to our house Wednesday, her tail thumped the floor and she mustered enough strength to get to her feet on her own and even got a few small hops in. It was absolutely heartbreaking.

I am thankful that I was able to lay next to her and pet her as she took her last breaths, but I have to admit, it was the hardest thing that I have ever endured. I cried like a baby when I knew she was gone. The house is unbelievably quiet now. No toe nails clicking the hardwoods, no woofs at the squirrels in the backyard, no soft snores from the end of the bed at night. It's going to be a long time adjusting.

There's so much more to say, so many stories to share, but maybe those are better shared another time. Thank you for everything you did for us Chloe, everything you taught us, and all the good times and love. You will never be forgotten.

Photos: Chloe's last retrieve, December 2020.

[7mmfan]

Always up for an adventure, tough as nails, and loved the wind in her face.

[7mmfan]

Always with the balls and the snuggles.

[Swede]

I am so sorry for the loss of your good friend. I suspect Chloe would in time want you to find another pup to nurture, train and love like you did her.

Best wishes:

Swede

[7mmfan]

Never missing a warm fire or sunny spot to snooze in.

[7mmfan]

And always so patient with the little one. Grayson is a true to heart dog lover now, and that's in big part thanks to growing up with Chloe Dog.

[7mmfan]

I am so sorry for the loss of your good friend. I suspect Chloe would in time want you to find another pup to nurture, train and love like you did her.

Best wishes:

Swede

Thank you Swede. We have a standing order with a dog breeder down in Rexburg Idaho, my sister's sister in-law. We will likely pick up a pup from her early next year after we get settled in with the new baby.

[Swede]

I can't help but think that is what Chloe would want. That is just how friends are. They want you to move on and be happy.

[Tigger]

Dogs. The world would be a much worse place without dogs. They sure make you love them.

Going to go find my lab and give her a hug and pet, courtesy of Chloe.

Be back in a minute to tell you if she liked it.

[Tigger]

Okay, the right side of my face and ear is all wet from Winnie kisses. Apparently she liked it.

I did detect a faint odor of dead fish however.

[7mmfan]

Good girl Winnie! Keep Tigger guessing where that fish smell came from!

[Thegreatwapiti]

So sorry for your loss! Been down that road 3 times. I always remind myself that the joy was way greater than the pain. PEACE

[Lefty]

So sorry for your family's loss!


Tough to loose those 4 legged friends