My Boy Trigger

**gundogs** · 06-21-2010, 08:14 PM

A very sad day for me, after 14 1/2 years My Boy Trigger passed away peacefully. Just a year ago he finished 4th in BDC Masters division. For many years he was a regular fixture at the G&R club and the 4 Seasons HC. He traveled to NBDCA, NAGDA and BDC events for most of his life. He appeared at many seminars and demos for the DFG advanced hunter and heritage game bird events along with demos at the Bass Pro Shops and JHO events. Several top ten finishes over the years in national competition with many blue and red ribbons in local qualifier events in both Open Pointer and Doubles competition. BDC worlds qualifier.
Much more than a gun dog, much more than a competition dog he even won several ribbons at the AKC confirmation dog shows. He even was able to point out my cell phone when I lost it giding a hunt at the Guns & Roosters Hunt Club. The foundation sire for my kennel.
He was much more than a gun dog. He was my friend.

**inchr48** · 06-22-2010, 05:38 AM

Sorrry for your loss, sounds like Trigger was one great dog and a loyal companion.

They give so much to us, and ask for so little.

**HunterCT** · 06-22-2010, 08:19 AM

Trigger was an AWSOME dog and companion.

I had the honor of spending time with him and Bryce and he was THE DOG.
Kind always, forceful when needed, a hunter forever.

My dog Fletcher will miss him as I will.

**gundogs** · 06-22-2010, 08:27 AM

Loosing Ivan last Monday and Trigger this Monday is hard. Now once again they can hunt together as a doubles team. Cancer free and without. The pains of old age to slow them down. Thanks for the kind words.

**k_rad** · 06-22-2010, 08:41 AM

Sorry for your loss Bryce. Little friends that always want to please. Hope they get to keep all the birds they get, where ever they are.

**STEVE IN SOCAL** · 06-22-2010, 10:32 AM

My Rex is 12, I know it's coming soon...and I dread it.

Hope that the pain soon subsides and the fond memories come pouring in.

**gundogs** · 06-22-2010, 02:50 PM

Steve spend all of the time you can with Rex. Take him out for some off season hunts, buy some birds so he can get his Social Security bird each time you go. Their life with us is all too short.

Here is a picture from the 05 NAGDA nationals, sad to say many of these fine dogs are now gone.

**STEVE IN SOCAL** · 06-22-2010, 05:07 PM

Bryce...he's pretty much deaf now. I took him last year on an easy quail hunt, but spent most of the time chasing him around. We have 5 acres here, and he killed a ground squirrel last week, so he has his fun. Too much exercise and his hips give out, so we have to be careful. We spoil him every chance.

**gundogs** · 06-22-2010, 10:19 PM

Steve
An old friend of mine closed every show with "Never Spoil Your Bird Dog" and would then show Hank curled up by the fireplace of a fancy hunt club or his feet in a hot tub....you get it. I asked Dez does Hank have his own microwave? Dez looked puzzled and I explained how Trigger liked mashed potatoes mixed in his food which we called Do Be Taters.(even when we traveled) If that is spoiling your dog then by all means do it for Rex.
"Do Be" Trigger truly could Do It All.

**STEVE IN SOCAL** · 06-23-2010, 04:56 AM

He gets 1/3 can of canned food with his kibble, mixed with 2 cups hot water into a soupy gruel (along with 1.5 Rymadil). This morning at 0430 he drug his huge self up on our bed, laid on top of the wife and started barking in her face. It was a playful bark, just a bit annoying at 0430. 5 years ago I'd have knocked him off the bed with a scolding....now we just laugh and go along with his game.
I hope we get the 2.5 extra years that you got with your Trigger. My first GSP died from kidney failure at 9.

**gundogs** · 06-23-2010, 10:33 PM

Let me know if there is anything I can do for Rex.
Puppies are lots of work and old dogs require lots of attention but I would do it all of again and never think twice about it, all for the love of a dog. They ask for so little and give so much. Trigger was not only a fantastic hunter but did double duty as a service dog. Attached is a picture of us together catching a meal between JHO shows at the Bass Pro Shops in Las Vegas,Nv.
A special thank you is in order to Bass Pro Shops and the Silverton Inn for all of the kindness we were extended during our many promotions there.

**gundogs** · 06-23-2010, 10:54 PM

Rymadil can be hard on the liver. You may want to try Glucosimine for the arthritis and Tramadol for his pain. Check with your vet about the effects of the Rymadil.

**Birddog3** · 06-24-2010, 08:17 AM

Bryce,
I'm very sorry for your loss of Trigger. He never knew an stranger. It didn't matter to him if you were a friend or a stranger. In his mind, people were always there to get some petting and some love. We would always make his rounds at Guns & Roosters looking for someone to love on him! :-)

We will never be able to replace them, but we'll just find a place in our hearts for another one. They are God's gift to us. For those who don't have a Bird Dog, you may not understand. We spend so much time with our furry friends, in socializing.....training.....and hunting. Many times it may more time than we spend with our spouses.

I agree with Bryce, for as much pain & hurt they cause us when they leave us. The joy and great memories they give us is well worth it.

Rest in Peace........Trigger.

**spectr17** · 06-24-2010, 01:03 PM

Sorry to hear about Trigger Bryce. Dogs dying just ain't right. He was fun to watch hunt and hang around with. The kids loved him at Bass Pro too.

**maddog582** · 06-24-2010, 03:36 PM

Sorry for your loss Bryce. Trigger was truley a fine gun dog

**gundogs** · 06-28-2010, 04:25 PM

Thanks for all of the kind words about Trigger. His legacy lives on in the pups he sired (8 litters). I would give anything to roll back the clock and once again see him go down the line of trucks and motor homes at one of Dave's shoot outs at the Guns & Roosters club. Trigger loved to greet people and dogs while in a search for someone handing out a piece of doughnut. Many thanks are in order to Dave and Angela for the years of fantastic hunting opportunities and kindness they extended to Trigger and Dynamite Lady. The memories of their hunts are still bright vivid.
Traveling to events for JHO was certainly on the list of favorites for Trigger. He loved the attention and was I believe a great representative of our sport.