I've commented before about having many dogs in my lifetime.

Today I lost the very best of them, EVER.

We had Thunder put to sleep at 12 1/2 yrs old.

My first ever marker trained dog with the help of RWDC, Riverfront Working Dog Club.

We had also belonged to Missouri Region C K9
SAR Team.

From the time he was 5-6 months old I knew I had the best dog ever.

My wife used to say that I read the Manual to Thunder and he had it by the next day.

Not at all far from the truth.

Other then basic house manners he never had a Physical correction in any sort of training for anything we ventured into.

He was trained in SAR cadaver, boat work, live find and article search.

He also had his SCH III, AKC CDX, AKC HT, ATTS TT and his CGC Cert, again never having a physical correction.

He happily did anything and everything I asked him for nothing more then getting his Kong or, more important to him, a good game of tug with a bite tug.

Yes, even worn out old timers like me still cry like a baby when loosing such a friend!

Going to miss you Old Man!

Bob, so very, very sorry to hear about your loss of Thunder. It hurts to the soul to loose the very special ones. You shared many great times in all the work you did together. I know your heart is broken. He will be waiting for you at the bridge

RIP and run free at the bridge Thunder.

Thanks Anne!

Thunder also "belonged" to my now 10 yr old grandson Scott.

Scott and his two sisters have a Chi dog and a Papillion X Pomeranian but Scott always wanted a GSD.

He often asked me "Pop, when you die can I have Thunder?"

Out of the mouths of babes!

When he was about 5 I told him we would share Thunder but just keep him at my house.

He was fine with that.

He also wanted to go with me to the vets with me today which was common with him so my daughter and I had a long talk with him and decided that would be fine.

He did fine till his crotchety "Pop" broke down .

He told me then that it will get better.

I'm so sorry to see this Bob, and though it is true when we say our dogs reach a good age, and had a long life, I sometimes think their loss is felt more keenly, as we are so used to having them around.

Thunder sounds like a fantastic dog, and for your grandson to share his life was wonderful, I imagine he is feeling his loss as much as you are.

You served well Thunder, you gave yourself to noble and essential causes, and you have earned your rest at the Bridge.

God bless.

Bob, my heart is breaking for you and your entire family, especially Scott. You've talked often about how Thunder was getting up there in years, but of course we are never really prepared for the time when it comes, and for the emptiness we feel when they are no longer a part of our daily lives.

He was fortunate to have such a wonderful life with you. His accomplishments, and your accomplishments in training him, are an inspiration to all of us.

I hope that your good memories of him, and the passage of time, will help to heal your heart. Run free at the Bridge, Thunder..........

Bob, so very sorry to hear of your loss. Once again, there's that painful reminder of how short the lives are of these wonderful creatures and how hard it is to say goodbye each time. My heart goes out to you and your family.

 Quote: Bob Scott

I've commented before about having many dogs in my lifetime.

Today I lost the very best of them, EVER.

We had Thunder put to sleep at 12 1/2 yrs old.

My first ever marker trained dog with the help of RWDC, Riverfront Working Dog Club.

We had also belonged to Missouri Region C K9
SAR Team.

From the time he was 5-6 months old I knew I had the best dog ever.

My wife used to say that I read the Manual to Thunder and he had it by the next day.

Not at all far from the truth.

Other then basic house manners he never had a Physical correction in any sort of training for anything we ventured into.

He was trained in SAR cadaver, boat work, live find and article search.

He also had his SCH III, AKC CDX, AKC HT, ATTS TT and his CGC Cert, again never having a physical correction.

He happily did anything and everything I asked him for nothing more then getting his Kong or, more important to him, a good game of tug with a bite tug.

Yes, even worn out old timers like me still cry like a baby when loosing such a friend!

Going to miss you Old Man!

Oh, Bob, I'm so very sorry to hear about Thunder. I'm glad Thunder had you to ease him down the road when it was time.

I feel like I knew Thunder after all these years. My heart (and my eyes) are hurting along with yours and your family's.

Thunder had a good, full life. You did good, Bob.

 Quote: Bob Scott

Thanks Anne!

Thunder also "belonged" to my now 10 yr old grandson Scott.

Scott and his two sisters have a Chi dog and a Papillion X Pomeranian but Scott always wanted a GSD.

He often asked me "Pop, when you die can I have Thunder?"

Out of the mouths of babes!

When he was about 5 I told him we would share Thunder but just keep him at my house.

He was fine with that.

He also wanted to go with me to the vets with me today which was common with him so my daughter and I had a long talk with him and decided that would be fine.

He did fine till his crotchety "Pop" broke down .

He told me then that it will get better.

Oh Bob, bless Scott's heart to go with you at such a tender age...

If nothing else could ever make us want to end up in Heaven, then sending our beloved dogs there ahead of ourselves is surely enough to call us eventually to join them there, Forever...

Meanwhile, my heart goes out to you & the whole family -- Run pain-free across the bridge, Thunder.

Oh, Bob... it never gets any easier does it?

The Power of the Dog
By Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumor, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

I'm so sorry.

Run free, Thunder