Last night I lost my best friend and nearly constant companion for the past 10 years. My dog Regent died suddenly in his sleep in my living room just 30 minutes after sitting in the grass outside and listening to his little sister Rainy playing fetch. Regent was diagnosed with diabetes in January which we have struggled to get it under control, and 4 weeks ago he lost his eyesight. Nevertheless we were adapting and looking forward to our next camping trip. Regent went on at least 12 wilderness canoe trips with me to the BWCA, and at least as many other trips to the north woods which he loved so much. His little sister Rainy and I are missing him deeply. Regent was a truly great dog.

Sorry for your loss sir.

Sorry to hear about Regent. It is hard to lose such a loyal partner like him. Take comfort in Rainy and look forward to trips wit her.

Sorry for your loss.

That's a tough one. Sorry for your loss. It sounds she had a great run.

I'm sorry you lost your buddy.

So sorry! I know how hard it is to say goodbye. You and Rainy can comfort each other.

Sorry for your loss.

So sorry....That can be so tough !

Sorry that he is gone. I can see what a great companion he was. I know how hard that is.

Sorry for your loss, jaywalker. Beautiful dog and memories...

That's a tough one, so sorry to hear this. Cherish all the memories.

“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog, it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs your heart is very big” – Erica Jong

My condolences. Simply put; losing a dog sucks. Went through this a couple years ago. She wasn't a paddling partner but would not leave my side.


My wife and I said, "ok, no more dogs." 6 months later...


Couldn't imagine life without them. Sounds like you have a young pup already? A new era and new memories. Sorry for your loss.

JW

Am sure a lot of folks here have been through this. Sorry for your loss, but thank you for sharing the memories... Maybe Regent is playing with Galli, here.

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like Regent lived quite an adventurous life!

Sorry for the loss, but sounds like you gave that dog a great life. You should be proud.

A dog is indeed a man’s best friend. Unwavering in their loyalty and companionship. Bouncing with joy multiple times a day just to see you. They fill your heart with joy.
To lose that old dog is so very painful.
My thoughts are with you.

Dogs burn so much brighter than we do.

Sorry for your loss. I’ll bet his sister is sad!

Sorry for your loss, hope you can take comfort in all the good times you shared with Regent. Dogs are family.

So sorry for your loss . Dogs are the best

The Power of the Dog
Rudyard Kipling - 1865-1936
This poem is in the public domain.

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 for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, 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-time 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 sorry for your loss, I understand your hurting.

Sorry for your loss. I hope that good memories will eventually replace your sorrow.

So sorry for the loss of your friend and paddling partner. :-(

Dogs life's are to short, that's there only fault.
My heart hurts for you and rainy,so sorry for you loss.
Jay

Sorry to hear about this, Jaywalker.

I’m so sorry Jaywalker. Regent was a great friend and trip mate.

I know that I still think about Bailey almost daily, who I lost almost a full year ago. The hurt that you feel could not compare to the feeling that our dogs would have if we went first.

Sorry to hear. A good dog is hard to lose, sound like you have many good memories to hold on to.

Very sorry for your loss. Always extremely tough to lose a dog. It is losing a close friend.

So sorry to hear about this. Dogs are awesome. Maybe he can take a dip in the pool with Jasper. He's been gone for 5 years now and I still think about him a lot. Always tough to lose a true friend.

Great photos. It is obvious that Regent was loved very much and that you shared some fantastic adventures together. I'm sure that you and Rainy will cherish those memories. I'm truly sorry for your loss.

I appreciate all your comments. I know many of you have written post like this before. I read them, commented, and dreaded the day I would have to, which came last week. This dog was a very big part of my life.

It was a bit hard to do, but yesterday I made a reservation to enter on Moose a couple days before fishing opener as we have done the past few years. I’ll be up on Knife looking for lakers in a red canoe with Rainy if any of you happen to be up there. If you see us, feel free to stop by for a cup of coffee or whiskey.

Losing a dog is incredibly hard, and I am sorry for your loss...

Sorry to hear. Never easy.

Have fun on your trip, it seems the first trip after the loss of your paddling partner is the hardest. Last falls solo without Elsa was a little gut wrenching. She had been on probably 20+ camping and paddling trips with me.

I generally can’t help but tear up a little when I hear of a dog passing away. They are such close companions during their time with us, that losing them is truly losing a member of the family. So sorry for your loss.

So sorry for your loss.
I still miss my best old canoe partner, who took many a trip in the BWCA. My deep sympathies for you.....

Sorry for your loss

What a beautiful, happy, lucky dog. I am so sorry for your loss. Your post makes my eyes water thinking of my black lab that passed in 2009. Mine also just rested her chin on the gunwale and had that look of complete contentment. Towards the end mine was mostly blind due to PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) and used to lay in the yard with the cat leaning against her to make her feel safe. My pup barely made it to her 9th birthday due to leukemia but fortunately we had hundreds of adventures together in canoes.