Waterways Big Tim's Shooting Star, MH, WDQ (Comet) left us today after a short but valiant fight with kidney disease. He got sick at the Master National and grew progressively worse until today. We had him tested for everything under the sun and all tests were negative. Joe Quinn took excellent care of him until this morning, when I picked him up and took him to my vet. We made the decision with very heavy hearts. By this morning, Comet was extremely lethargic and had not eaten for a few days. He has been on IV fluids, antibiotics, all kinds of meds and special diets for the past month. My vet and the kidney specialist together decided that it was most probably an end-stage lupus or some type of kidney disease brought on by a long-term low-grade infection that manifested itself way too long after the initial issue and after it had done its' worst damage. Comet went to the Bridge to be with Tim, and I know they are together and having a ball getting those ducks. Tim wanted a dog that played the game, and Comet was here long enough to get his MH and run in the MN this year. Comet was just 4 1/2 years old. He was born out of our female, Waterways Northcreek Contesa, JH, who was bred on the last anniversary that Tim was alive. The litter was whelped in June 2000 and I kept the pick of litter male. He was a wonderful pup and a dynamite retriever...never met anyone, two or four-legged, he didn;t get along with. I had very high hopes for him, but they were not to be.

I will miss him. He was the sweetest dog I ever have known. I stayed with him until the end and held him and told him to go to Tim.

Micki

On Christmas Day around the dinner table, we reminisced about Mandy, our little poodle, who died of cancer a few years back. You never forget.

I'm so sorry, Micki. Comet sounds like he was a wonderful dog.

My Lord, I have never been able to read about a pets passing without crying my eyes out. I have lost a few pets from old age mostly and they seem to be just below the heart and pop out whenever anyone talks of losing a beloved pet. I truly believe that the animals are Gods angels on earth sent to watch over us. They are always so pure, innocent and adorable. Sorry for both your losses.

Micki, enough is emough. I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't keep the picture too long of you staying with your dog until the end. It breaks my heart.

Can you please explain the initials you used. I'm ignorant when it comes to hunting dogs.

Miki,
I am sorry for your loss. Its hard to lose your pet and yours sounded so talented. I too am crying with you. We lost our cat last spring and still miss him even though a friend gave us another wonderful one. You still miss them.
Maggie

The MH is a Master Hunter...a top of the line qualified dog that has shown through three levels of multiple testing that he/she can retrieve in a hunting situation. The tests are set up on three different levels and are run by American Kennel Club judges and committees. It takes three junior level passes, four senior level passes and five master level passes to get to the MH. After obtaining the MH, the dog must pass 5 times yearly on a Master level testing to go to the invitational Master National test. WDQ is a breed=specific title to Chesapeake Bay retrievers and is one pass of a Master level test. MN is the Master National. Comet went to the MN this year but failed to pass the third series because he was ill.

If you ever watch Animal Planet, sometimes you can see them doing hunt tests. That is what the titles pertain to. Junior tests are just two straight land retrieves and two straight water retieves. Senior tests are 2 land retrieves with an honor (the dog has to sit and stay while another dog is run and not move, even if the bird falls right in front of them)and 2 water retrieves, and they do doubles (one bird is shot and then another one is shot right behind it and the dog must go to the first bird and return it to hand, then go get the other one and do the same...and they have to remember where the bird fell). Master is doubles and triples on land and water with honors and blinds (the ducks are planted while the dog doesn't see where they are and the handler has to get the dog to the birds using hand signals and whistles. It is an amazing thing to watch....and Comet was SO good at it. He loved playing the game and would do anything Joe asked him to do. Everyone that saw him run commented on how joyous he was and how happy a dog he was. I am so upset.....he was such a good boy.

Micki, Comet will be dearly missed.. by you, your family, and by us... your boomer family.

I too have lost a pet recently. 2 years ago our American Eskimo died of lymphoma cancer. She was only 11 yrs old. It took us 2 years of grieving before we decided to get another pet. Now we have another american eskimo. His name is Jack and he is about 15 months old. I love his puppyishness. He'll never replace our Pie, she was so completely unique. But, Jack does have a place in our hearts, right next to Pie.

I'm so sorry. I know how much it hurts. What a wonderful dog and so smart and talented. I'm sure you have great memories but still, it just rips your heart out.