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HRCH-TANKS ALOT FOR THE DANCE- MH (4/18/97-4/11/07)

10K views 44 replies 40 participants last post by  jollydog 
#1 ·
I want to thank all of you for your heart felt wishes for both DANCY and me. After a 15 minute fishing stint, (she loved to fish) my little girl passed away peacefully in my arms at 10:40 this morning. I write with an incredibly heavy heart, while reminising and second guessing every move either she or I made over the last 10 years. Dance never met a stranger and was ready to lick anyone willing to accept. She LOVED me no matter how hard I was on her. She was the first dog that I trained completely from 7 weeks to her MH. Having to overcome my inabilities she still earned her HRCH by the age of 2, and had 4 straight Master passes before her 3rd birthday. She just happened to decide that it was just too tempting to sit still on the 3rd bird of the 3rd series 3 weekends in a row back in 2000. Nontheless, she made me proud. She was bred to FC/AFC Dare to Dream twice, and is the dam of FC-Bayou Teche Tex, 3 more QAA dogs (one with an Open win- Butch's Dream Code of TCR), and several HRCH/MHs. Dancy was a special girl, and all that know and love her will truly miss her. Rest in Peace my little "Dancy Dew"
 
#2 ·
She sounds like such a wonderful, "good" dog. My heart breaks for you.

:cry:

M
 
#4 ·
David so sorry to hear of your loss. I met you once at Hendricks Kennels and know one of your dog's pups very well (Kate owned by Dale Willard). Kate is extremely talented...im sure much of which came from her mom.

Once again...so sorry...my thoughts are with ya.

Aaron
 
#5 ·
Dave & I remember watching you with Dancy many times at one test or another. and I remember worrying at the time that our Dancer might have to honor with your Dancy or vice-versa.

So sorry to hear that you have lost her, but she is in a better place now, free from any suffering. May you find comfort in that.
 
#7 ·
Yes, she was, and will always be a special dog. A year or so ago, a few guys got together one hunting trip, and the topic of blind retrieves at the Master Nationals came up. One of the guys asked, "of all the hunt test dogs you've seen, what dog would you want to run a "money" blind to pass the Master Nationals?" One very successful handler kind of knodded his head and shook his finger, and said "In her day, David Maddox's Dancy". That was the greatest compliment any of my dogs have received in the 16 years I've had retrievers. The irony to the story. 2 weeks ago, on a training/fishing trip (Dancy loved fishing), Dancy ran her last blind. A tough one at that. Go figure; SHE LINED IT!!!
 
#11 ·
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss Dave. It's hard to loose these fine animals. They become so much a part of us and the family. Goodspeed Dancy.
 
#12 ·
Dave, Wendy and I send our Condolences..................treasure the memories until you see Dancy again................ :(
 
#16 ·
When we let our dogs go, they don't hurt anymore....but we do.

It sounds to me that she had a wonderful life and was lucky to be owned and loved by you.

Jeff
 
#17 ·
I'm so sorry for your loss. It is never easy to say good bye to our best friends. I hope you can take comfort in the wonderful memories that she has left behind.

Andy
 
#19 ·
David
So sorry to hear of her passing. Too many of us know how bad it hurts.
 
#21 ·
Whenever I read of another going to the Rainbow Bridge, my heart is hurting for the loss to the owner. It's always so hard to find yourself without that loved one nearby. May the Good Lord help you through this sad period of your life. Please accept my sincere condolences.

UB
 
#23 · (Edited)
Everytime I read the things that you folks write about our loved ones that we lose, whether it be our canine family or our human family, it reminds me of how special this game and the people that make up this game truly are. I am very priviledged to be a part of such a kind and passionate group of people. Thank you all.
David
 
#24 ·
David,

My heart tightened when I read the Subject line of this thread. After reading your post, my heart is heavy and sad for you and your loss. Just remember that Dancy will ALWAYS be a part of you!

Vicky

Take me where my needs they'll tend.
Only stay with me until the end,
And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you too will see,
It is a kindness you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Don't grieve that it should be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears
 
#25 ·
David,

I know this sounds silly as I do not know you or your dog, but last night I thought of your prior post.

I am so sorry to read of your dog. What a great name, you honoured her with.

A Living Love

If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will
always remember....

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your
young new friend.
You may have spent weeks deciding on a litter. You may have asked
numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a
breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen
that silly looking mutt in a shelter--simply because something in its
eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and
watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front
room--and when you feel it brush against you for the first time--it
instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the
many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later.
It will be a day like any other.
Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will
look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You
will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will
see sleep when you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your
friend's diet--and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may
feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming
emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until
the third day finally arrives.

And on this day--if your friend and God have not decided for you, then
you will be faced with making a decision of your own--on behalf of
your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest
Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you--you will
feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as
they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your
circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or
comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the
many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul--a bit smaller in size
than your own--seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely
days to come.

And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to
happen, you may feel something brush against your leg--very very
lightly.

And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend
used to lay--you will remember those three significant days. The
memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your
heart--As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of
its own.
You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you
reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you.
Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when--along with the
memory of your pet--and piercing through the heaviness in your
heart--there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will
be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have
loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living
Love--like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals
have wilted, this Love will remain and grow--and be there for us to
remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave
us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we
live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave,
perhaps to join our Beloved Pets--it is a Love we will always possess.

(by Martin Scot Kosins)
 
#26 ·
Aussie said:
David,

I know this sounds silly as I do not know you or your dog, but last night I thought of your prior post.

I am so sorry to read of your dog. What a great name, you honoured her with.

A Living Love

If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will
always remember....

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your
young new friend.
You may have spent weeks deciding on a litter. You may have asked
numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a
breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen
that silly looking mutt in a shelter--simply because something in its
eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and
watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front
room--and when you feel it brush against you for the first time--it
instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the
many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later.
It will be a day like any other.
Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will
look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You
will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will
see sleep when you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your
friend's diet--and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may
feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming
emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until
the third day finally arrives.

And on this day--if your friend and God have not decided for you, then
you will be faced with making a decision of your own--on behalf of
your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest
Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you--you will
feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as
they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your
circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or
comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the
many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul--a bit smaller in size
than your own--seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely
days to come.

And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to
happen, you may feel something brush against your leg--very very
lightly.

And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend
used to lay--you will remember those three significant days. The
memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your
heart--As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of
its own.
You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you
reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you.
Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when--along with the
memory of your pet--and piercing through the heaviness in your
heart--there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will
be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have
loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living
Love--like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals
have wilted, this Love will remain and grow--and be there for us to
remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave
us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we
live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave,
perhaps to join our Beloved Pets--it is a Love we will always possess.

(by Martin Scot Kosins)
Oh, my. So much truth.....so many tears, it's hard to see the computer screen.

Just beautiful, Julie. Thanks for sharing it.

Vicky
 
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