It is with tears in my eyes that I have to report that I lost my fishing partner and loyal companion, Bert the Boykin today - October 2. Bert had an inoperable tumor and was euthanized by our vet.
Bert was a loyal ORCA member and probably attended more ORCA Conventions and tackle shows than many collectors. He greeted all of you at the door to our room with his happy wag and great enthusiasm. He was well known from Pennsylvania to Washington.
It is a lonely house and the boats will feel empty this fall. I'll try to remember all the good times we had together and enjoy them over again in my memories. At this time I don't even want to take the boat down to the river.
We have owned many dogs over the years - as I was a bird dog trainer for almost 20 years. Bert was one of a select few dogs that has a great influence on your life. Rest in peace, my friend, it was a privilege to have known you.
Oh my gosh, Phil, my heart goes out to you. I am so very sorry for your loss. We have all come to know Bert through the years and it is just a very, very, very sad day. I buried a beloved pet of 18 years last year and it is still with me.
My sincerest condolences to you and the Rubber Reel Lady.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful boy with us. Bert was admired and loved by many of our ORCA family that were fortunate to have met him in person. And his personality will long be remembered. We humans have much to learn from our canine friends.
On September 15th, we said goodbye to our boy as well. Rex was our third Rottweiler, and at twelve, the longest lived. All were great companions; all were special, just as was your Bert. Each one of them has wrapped their paws around our heart. And each was loved deeply.
"If there are no dogs in heaven, then I want to go where they are". The unknown author's feelings are shared.
Boy that is tough to hear, It all to familiar to me. I had to make the same decision a couple of years back and it is not a easy thing to do.
My heart goes out to the both of you.
A fine friend and companion, so friendly and well behaved. I can see him
now as I recall Colorado and being in your room. A real shame to lose
a buddy like that. Almost brings a tear to my eyes. I share your grief.
---- Jack
Sorry to hear about your loss. It is very tough to lose a Best Friend.
I met Bert for a few short minutes in Dowagiac a couple weeks after losing my Best Friend, Zee. Without a doubt, Bert sensed my loss and gave me a great "Dog fix."
He will be greatly missed and thought about forever. The only upside is that he did not suffer and will be waiting for you on the other side.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who posted here or sent emails about Bert. We really appreciate your sympathy and kind comments. We are still suffering from a very lonely house, and that will ease with time. We will never forget this outstanding friend who only wanted to be with us and do whatever we were doing.
I took a trip to the river yesterday afternoon and had a pretty good time catching 22 smallmouth, but it's going to take some time to learn not to talk to my partner whenever I get a strike, see a deer, or notice a beaver swimming toward us. He never ratted on me when I exaggerated the size of my fish.
Hell, phil...talk away...he will hear you. I'm still talking to my cat and she's been gone now for 3 years. We sometimes forget that the body just carries the spirit...and the spirit is always with us as long as we want it to be. Give it a bit of time, then do what Wiggy did.
Sorry to hear about your loss Phil. I met Bert in Colorado and he was a great dog, I sat and pet him for around an hour out there, he was a very friendly, I've never seen a dog with such a personality before.
Phil, sorry to hear about your loss. A great dog is a member of the family, we had to put our greyhound down in February, and we still get choked up when we stumble across pictures of her.
