This last fall, we lost our Golden Lab we've had for 14yrs. Lady became sick and the vet couldn't do much to help her. I used to take her along on bank fishing trips with me. She used to get excited when I'd get my fishing rod, and run over and stand by the door, wagging her tail. When we'd get to the lake, she'd hang around for a few minutes then go exploring around the lake. She once jumped a deer in some woods across a small cove, and gave chase for a short time, but was smart enough to know she couldn't catch the deer. In hot weather, I'd bring a small plastic dish, and a jug of water. When she'd come back panting I'd poor her a cool drink. She just loved being out there. My wife was heartbroken when she passed away. She said she didn't want any more dogs, and said it was just too hard when they pass on. Three weeks later, she came home with a Jack Russel terrier. We've named her Ginger. She's a good dog. Smart and playful, and seems to learn very fast. I'm not sure about taking her on fishing trips just yet. She's a high strung girl, and I'm afraid she'd run a rabbit for miles if she could. Last fall, when I was bank fishing the same lake that I took lady to, a younger guy pulled up in a new truck. When he got out he walked around to the passenger side and out jumped a beautiful Irish setter. He knelt down and petted the dog, then started casting. His dog sat close by on the bank. I hope he has many good fishing trips with his dog, just like I had with Lady. My grandfather had bird dogs on his farm when I was a kid. Back then, Missouri had a good quail population, and he loved watching the dogs work the field and go on point. He treated those dogs like they were people. And they were good to him too. Dogs, if treated well, develop a trust and bond with their owners that is second to none. They're loyalty goes above and beyond the call. I'm sure I'll always have a dog for the rest of my days. They truly are " man's best friend".
