Not just for the birds

Aged Warrior’s Sorrow

Written by

Bob McMichael

in

Angus is dead.

We had to let him go yesterday. He went quickly and didn’t suffer long.

I began this blog 10 years ago because I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm for his wonderfulness. It had to be shared. So now I’m sharing our sorrow at his passing.

This is my second bout. Most of you have more than that, so you know the pain and residue of such loss. I have nothing unique to add, but only wanted to connect.

Give your dogs a hug and look them in the eye for longer than usual.

I hope soon to have an Angus retrospective video. In the meantime, here’s the video my students always ask me to show them.

Comments

35 responses to “Aged Warrior’s Sorrow”

  1. Ryan White Avatar
    Ryan White

    Hugs to all!! Never an easy path but always having the dogs best interest is paramount which obviously you and Leslie always have!! Ryan

    Reply
  2. Cale Avatar
    Cale

    Been there and I know how you feel. The Garth Brooks lyrics come to mind: “I could of missed the pain, but I’d have to miss the dance”!

    Embrace the memories of this past season as it was a true blessing!

    Reply
  3. Brett thomas Avatar
    Brett thomas

    RIP Angus
    Your connections with this particular bird hunter runs deep as I have enjoyed at the deepest level hearing of your adventure in the snake river canyons pursuing upland species and showing off your abilities and passion.
    It’s no wonder that bird dogs are simply special!

    Reply
  4. Stan Torres Avatar
    Stan Torres

    Sorry for your loss. He was a great dog as shown in your videos.

    Reply
  5. Ron Avatar
    Ron

    Rest assured you are joined by many who will grieve the loss of Angus. I know how special he was by watching him over the years. I’m so sorry to here that he is gone. Thank you for sharing all the videos and photos through of Angus’s life.

    Reply
  6. john goit Avatar
    john goit

    Sorry Bob. Its is always hard to see them go.

    Reply
  7. Brad Trumbo Avatar
    Brad Trumbo

    Sorry you had to let him go. Cheers to the good times!

    Reply
  8. rookiebird Avatar
    rookiebird

    I’m so sorry Bob. Many people don’t understand the bond between dogs and their people, and wonder why we mourn so deeply. I understand.

    What you probably already know is that you gave him one helluva dog’s life (and he to you). And that’s pretty good. He was very lucky to have you all.

    When I look back on my life, one of the ways I’ll measure it will be in the dogs who shared it with me. It will be hard not to feel blessed. I imagine it will be the same for you.

    Reply
  9. Anthony P Ellertson Avatar
    Anthony P Ellertson

    I am so sorry to hear of Angus passing-he was a great dog. It is hard to let go of the ones we love. Sending good thoughts to you and Leslie.

    Reply
  10. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    Sorry Bob. We all have great memories of Angus…

    Reply
  11. Mark S Avatar
    Mark S

    So sorry for your loss, Bob and Leslie. Angus lived a great life as your companion and hunting dog. I’ve enjoyed part of his life too and I will miss him.

    Reply
  12. Steve Kraft Avatar
    Steve Kraft

    So sorry. While there are certainly more difficult things in life than losing a dog, the list is short.

    Reply
  13. JOHN Avatar
    JOHN

    As a fellow Brittany owner I so much enjoyed watching Angus work. What a good boy. I have kept the ashes of all my buddies to someday scatter them into the wind above their favorite hunting spots. So sorry for your loss i hope you will get Peat a running mate soon.

    Reply
  14. Larry Straub Avatar
    Larry Straub

    We love our dogs so much. Very sorry.

    Reply
  15. Vincent Esposito Avatar
    Vincent Esposito

    So sorry for your loss. They never live long enough. Thanks for sharing Angus with us. He had a wonderful life, all dogs should be so lucky.

    Reply
  16. Brett Dumas Avatar
    Brett Dumas

    Abby & Bodie got a big Angus hug today. Cheers to Angus on a life well lived.

    Reply
  17. Angie Lakey-Campbell Avatar
    Angie Lakey-Campbell

    Bob and Leslie, we are so sorry to learn of your loss.

    Reply
  18. Randy Shepard Avatar
    Randy Shepard

    So sorry Bob & Leslie. I let my lab go today as well. She’ll be in good company with Angus.

    Reply
  19. Joel Laty Avatar
    Joel Laty

    Sorry to hear this… I really enjoyed reading your adventures with Angus who looks like my own 10-year old French Brit. Fortunately you have plenty of videos and pics for eternity.

    Reply
  20. Mike Lathrop Avatar
    Mike Lathrop

    I understand your pain and no words will comfort or replace the empty place in your life. I am 72 an have been hunting all my life. I have lost count of the wonderful, amazing four legged friends i have had to burry. at all stages of their lives. from a 6 month old black lab puppy “ Bud” that died in my harms on the chukar slope on opening day to the 13 years old yellow “Sally i learn to hunt chukars in the Polluse from a long painful cancer. There have been so many! I often wonder how i deserved so many great dogs, in one life. All this joy and pain has reminded me that when i look deep in to each of those doge eyes they are doing exactly what they were born and bread to do. “Hunt their hearts desire and please me; a friend and companion”.
    “Nothing like a new puppy to try and teach, to become all it can and deserves to be. I think there is a new Agnus to be love and trained challenged to be all it can be. You will fall in love all over again and be challenge to keep up for one more hunt on the Chukar slopes of life.
    Chukar hunter
    Mike

    Reply
  21. Cliff Avatar
    Cliff

    My sincerest condolences to you and Leslie. Angus left a legacy that can not be replaced but the best route to to start the recovery process after the passing of a cherished dog is to get a puppy ASAP.

    Reply
  22. Jeff S Avatar
    Jeff S

    Bob and Leslie. I’m so sorry for your loss. I have read your blog for some time and kept reading as it’s different than most. Your deep respect for the places and your quarry ; but most of all, your clear affection for your hunting partners on four legs. My hope is you find peace as you have had a great partner in Angus.

    Reply
  23. David Weaver Avatar
    David Weaver

    I so feel you and Leslie’s pain…It’s the hardest thing we have to do for our dogs…he is in “Bird Dog Heaven” running, pointing having a ball with all the other dogs…I just gave my Brittany, Ripper a big hug and a kiss for Angus…I’m sure Peat is grieving in his own way…I bet he’s getting some extra “snuggles” right now…PEACE

    Reply
  24. Kent Coen Avatar
    Kent Coen

    For Dogs Shall Die
    & Men Will Weep For Them
    So Long As There Are Men & Dogs

    Reply
  25. Kent Coen Avatar
    Kent Coen

    I’m sorry for your loss to both of you.
    Remember all the times

    Reply
  26. Jim Avatar
    Jim

    Sorry Bob and Leslie… so hard to lose such a great companion.

    Reply
  27. Paul Rohde Avatar
    Paul Rohde

    So sorry to hear.

    Reply
  28. APfromNC Avatar
    APfromNC

    This poem is my answer to death when a Bird Dog goes away. https://freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/service_r_w/call_wild.html

    Reply
  29. Hinesskc@frontier.com Avatar
    Hinesskc@frontier.com

    So sorry. Great dog that you could tell loved to hunt going to miss seeing him in your videos

    Reply
  30. HarisP Avatar
    HarisP

    So sorry for your loss :o(

    Reply
  31. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    Really sorry to read about Angus’s passing, yours and Leslie’s heartwarming stories about your hunting trials and trivialations with Angus have brought many a smile to me. As you are very aware each dog has their own personalities and Angus sounds like he was great one. Sincere condolences.

    Reply
  32. Alan Howell Avatar
    Alan Howell

    Sorry for your loss.Never an easy thing to endure as we love our dogs. We are left with special memories and knowing that we provided a loving home.

    Reply
  33. phil wichman Avatar
    phil wichman

    so sorry to hear. so many experiences and undying love

    Reply
  34. Ivan Belyna Avatar
    Ivan Belyna

    Thank you both for sharing Angus’s story to the very end.
    It was a great tale of adventure and friendship in a beautiful place. He lived quite a life.

    Reply
  35. Derya Erce. Avatar
    Derya Erce.

    Hi Bob, I just read about Angus, very sorry for the loss ,
    never easy to forget, but memories and a hunting life he lived for and loved,
    will be forever.
    Derya Erce .

    Reply

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