Lost Our Traveling Companion - Montana Owners Club

rames14 · 04-23-2023, 10:13 AM

Anyone who has been to a rally since 2010 has seen a black lab fetching bumpers every morning in the open fields. Our faithful companion, Sirius Black, attended his last rally in 2022. We had to say goodbye about three weeks ago. I noticed today, he was still in my signature. Always a reminder that we don’t expect. So, we will be dogless on our trip to Alaska and the Fall Rally this year. Perhaps 2024 will see a puppy learning the ropes of Montana travel.

**DQDick** · 04-23-2023, 11:12 AM

So sorry! He was a great dog.

mlh · 04-23-2023, 11:14 AM

Sorry about your dog. They become a real member of the family. I know our little dog is.
Lynwood

Mikendebbie · 04-23-2023, 11:28 AM

Sorry for your loss. Dogs are more than special to us...now they are our kids!

**AZ Traveler** · 04-23-2023, 01:11 PM

Ron & Terrie,

We will all miss Sirius. All dogs go to heaven, only some of us will.

DutchmenSport · 04-23-2023, 01:18 PM

I really feel for your loss. We've lost beloved dogs too. Even when a new one comes into the family, the old ones are never forgotten. But the new ones need our love too and we give them all we can, every moment, because their lives are just too short.

I hope you find another puppy. It will add such joy back to your travel adventures.

Daryles · 04-23-2023, 01:44 PM

So sorry for your loss. We lost our golden a couple of years ago. We miss her very much.
Recently a cat adopted us. Then gave birth to a single kitten two weeks ago. We will be getting on the road Tuesday for the first time with cats. Keeping our fingers crossed. Lol.

hcampers · 04-23-2023, 02:17 PM

Ron & Terrie

We will miss seeing Sirius Black at our Rallys. He was a great dog and will be missed!

wed · 04-23-2023, 05:49 PM

So sorry to hear that.

jimcol · 04-23-2023, 08:06 PM

Ron and Terri, Sorry to hear of your loss. What a great and entertaining dog he was.

BB_TX · 04-23-2023, 08:26 PM

Sorry to hear of your loss. We tend to adopt rescue Golden oldies (Golden Retrievers age 6 or more, the ones harder to find homes for). Had two different ones travel with us for 6 years each before they crossed the bridge. Have a third now but no more traveling. Great companions. And greatly missed when gone.

Those gone are never forgotten. But a new puppy will bring new energy to your life.

rames14 · 04-23-2023, 09:57 PM

He was a hard headed dog that loved to fetch. He was a great traveling companion and was great in the house. As with most Labs, a stranger was just a friend he hadn’t met - sort of like MOC members. He was not very trainable, but knew the important stuff. He could sense when someone wasn’t doing well and would sit almost on top of them. Unfortunately I didn’t do the same for him. He was in a lot of pain and never let on except for a limp. The vet said they are just stoic, not letting on how much pain they are in. But, he wouldn’t even go to the bathroom before playing fetch. He was a special breed - a Pointing Lab. To see his true nature was out in the field. Hopefully he is in the field with Magnum, our prior Lab. Both of them lived up to their monikers - Magnum and Sirius Black. Thanks for all of the kind words. Magnum was at the first MOC rally in 2004 and some of the old timers will remember the big red Lab with the huge head. We had a gap of a few years before Sirius came along. As anyone who has lost a special companion knows, a new animal doesn’t take the place of the previous one. They build their own place in our hearts. That new companion is possibly on paper in Billings, Montana. Sirius, it seems, spent at least one night in Billings. He attended regional rallies (he really liked the CPRR), National rallies (11) and camped in over 40 states. He was a well traveled Labrador. And he really did like MOC members. Of course, who wouldn’t. Thanks again.

Todd & Mary · 04-24-2023, 04:37 AM

So Sorry for your loss! We had to put our 18 yr old Rat Terrier down last year. They get to be family members and are loved very much.

Golfmedik · 04-24-2023, 05:07 AM

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your family member! That's exactly what they are, FAMILY!

Foldbak · 04-24-2023, 08:33 AM

One of the hardest things in the world to go through. Sorry for your loss. I couldn't go a year without a dog. Sorry for the sideways pic...

LDMoore06 · 04-24-2023, 10:04 AM

Ron and Terrie, So sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful companion. We too lost our travel companion last month. Sadie, labradoodle. She won 2nd place at the rally last year for her birthday( Birthday girl). It will be a while before we add another family member, but you can rest assure that we will spoil, hug and give treats to all we meet. You humans might get a handshake, hugs if you are nice. We all have great memories of our last family members and travel adventures. Be safe in your travels and see ya at the rally.

CWolff · 04-30-2023, 05:07 PM

I hope so. Such a loss I understand. Our baby is getting there and I’m terrified. Bless you.

miatadoc · 04-30-2023, 07:21 PM

So sorry to hear this news. Dogs have this way of capturing our hearts and becoming our best friends. No matter how long we have them in our lives, it's never long enough. Condolences from all of us (me, my wife, and our 5 dogs (2 Labs).

dhuhn · 04-30-2023, 10:09 PM

Ron and Terrie sorry for your loss we know how hard it is to lose our furry friends!

rames14 · 04-30-2023, 10:21 PM

The timing was bittersweet. A month before heading to Alaska was a shock. Not a trip to take a puppy on and we won’t be home until October (after Rally). And housebreaking a puppy on the mountain in the winter is also not good. So, we are stopping at a breeder on the way to Alaska to put a deposit on a pointing lab puppy. We hope to have a new addition next year this time.

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