Auslander
Well-Known Member
My old setter was put to sleep last Friday, after 16 glorious years.I must have missed this, which old man? So, so sorry.
My old setter was put to sleep last Friday, after 16 glorious years.I must have missed this, which old man? So, so sorry.
Thanks all. I miss him terribly, and it’s that ‘missing’ which is the horrible part. He was a great dog, huge character, and one I know I was very lucky to have.
Yet oddly, I don’t find myself as sad about his parting, as I perhaps had anticipated I would be. He simply lived his life and got old, which is a gift really, isn’t it?
A good life and a good end. Or as one of my good friends responded when I text to say he’d passed - ‘life? Completed it mate’.
A picture in his prime, when he really was at his best.
Don’t get me wrong, there are still old fashioned roughs out there. Albeit few and far between. But it’s not just type, it’s temperament.So sorry for your loss.
He was the type I grew up with my my parents love. They, like you, will not have another as they don't like how the breed has changed.
I loved the photos of the corgis on his bed, Fizz did the same when we lost Jack.
I remember telling you all about him when I first bought him home and he looked like this! It seems like five minutes ago.Your words sum it up beautifully. He was such a handsome dog with a kind and gentle nature. He lived life to the fullest and passed peacefully surrounded by his adoring family. A lucky boy indeed .
So very sorry. Every loss is difficult and different but I do think when it comes to one who has been around for so long, you take for granted their presence (in a nice way) throughout all of life’s ups and downs as they’ve simply been around forever. It’s adjusting to that I’m finding most difficult.My old setter was put to sleep last Friday, after 16 glorious years.
I feel exactly the same. The toughest thing has been that he was always there with his head on my knee when he knew I was sad about something-and at the moment, I really need that head, and it's not hereSo very sorry. Every loss is difficult and different but I do think when it comes to one who has been around for so long, you take for granted their presence (in a nice way) throughout all of life’s ups and downs as they’ve simply been around forever. It’s adjusting to that I’m finding most difficult.
And I remember my heart melting and thinking if I did get a rough I wanted one like him . Time really does flyI remember telling you all about him when I first bought him home and he looked like this! It seems like five minutes ago.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy too Aus. He seemed such a character. I love Irish setters. May he RIP xI feel exactly the same. The toughest thing has been that he was always there with his head on my knee when he knew I was sad about something-and at the moment, I really need that head, and it's not here
I feel exactly the same. The toughest thing has been that he was always there with his head on my knee when he knew I was sad about something-and at the moment, I really need that head, and it's not here
The trouble is with having 2 young dogs is that you’re possibly going to lose both within a short space of time when they age, although I haven’t had that as one of each pair I’ve had has unfortunately had cancer, so we’ve been left with a lone dog twice. That’s why you need another!I was very sad he didn’t hit his ‘teenth’ birthday when it passed on Remembrance Day earlier this month. He did being an old dog so well.
I found myself looking at roughs again recently. I think I’ve resolved any uncertainty I may have had with myself regarding my favourite breed. I won’t have another, the type and temperament isn’t what I recognise. I admire a breeders outcross program but what I love about the breed ever so much is their laid back and horse/cat like qualities. I really do miss having one around the place.
Have muted about another dog, next year perhaps. But I have two relatively young dogs and always worry then you set yourself up for losing them in close succession if you’re lucky enough for old age to greet them like a friend.
I’ve thought perhaps a sighthound of some description for when the time is right, there is a stark similarity with their temperament and outlook and that of a traditional rough. I thought about this after losing my other rough collie in 2021, but then went for another corgi. We shall see.
I know I am fortunate to still have two dogs, and young ones with lives hopefully ahead of them - but as I reflect I realise how different my bond is with them versus both the roughs. And it’s always different, but perhaps I miss that kind of human canine relationship in addition to both my chaps, or as they were fondly known by everyone - the noble steeds.
Dogs eh.
That’s rationale I like.The trouble is with having 2 young dogs is that you’re possibly going to lose both within a short space of time when they age, although I haven’t had that as one of each pair I’ve had has unfortunately had cancer, so we’ve been left with a lone dog twice. That’s why you need another!