A Tribute To Derrie

[MrsChamp606 553]

Hello All,

 

My girlfriend and I had just moved into our first home, I had never had a dog or any pet of mention as a kid, My girlfriend had grown up as the daughter of a gamekeeper, terriers, lurchers, ferrets all the usual stuff during her childhood.

 

I was travelling a lot with work soon after we moved in and the Girlfriend was getting lonely and missed the company of a dog at home.

 

As we had just moved in and put all of money into the deposit we didnt really have the disposable cash to go shelling out a fortune on a pup, Her Dad suggested coming onto a site called 'The Hunting Life'.

 

He stated that it was a decent forum and that we may have some luck rehoming a terrier or lurcher.

 

I put on a post and within a day or two received a PM from 'SkinnyRat'. He stated that he had a 12 month old lurcher that he has trained to the lamp and around ferrets but unfortunately had broken her toe and probably wouldnt come back from it for working.

 

SkinnyRat sent me a photo of Derrie and the girlfriend and I fell in love straight away and we made plans to meet up and bring her home.

 

This was the first photo we ever saw of Derrie.

 

We travelled 4 hours up to scotch corner services to be greeted by a top man that had clearly put love and time into his dog but was frustrated that she was injured and just wanted a good home for her, We assured SkinnyRat that she would have a forever home with us.

 

The real story of Derrie starts, We rested her up for 6-8 weeks to give her toe the best chance, lead walks only.

 

The first time I had her off lead I was walking her in our fields and from no where she came running back towards me with a screaming rabbit in her mouth.... ' Holy Crap ' I hadnt killed any game in my life but I plucked up the courage to crack the rabbit over the head with a branch and I took a moment to gather my thoughts on what had just happened!

 

I got home and called the Father in Law... He laughed and said good dog!

 

So it got me thinking and never one to miss an opportunity I returned to THL and posted asking if anyone lived in my local area to help show me the ropes with lamping/ferreting to see what Derrie could do.

 

Again withing a couple of days I received a PM from 'Hightower' inviting me to go out on his permission and show me the ropes.

 

We met up within a couple of days and Derrie was slipped on 2 bunnies and brought them both back!

 

'Hightower' said... you've something special there mate... shall we go out again next week.

 

 

Well then it turned into 4 nights a week, lamping.... wow! she did it all.. single handed. We would go out with lots of different lads and dogs and not once in 6 full seasons did any dog have a bigger bag than her.

 

Thrown in with many many days flushing and retrieving she was the ultimate 'all rounder'.

 

Every opportunity for a catch or retrieve she didn't let me down, she gave 100% every single time!

 

 

By this point I knew I had to put some research in and find the right stud dog to cover her and have a litter of pups I could keep a bitch pup out of and keep her line going,

 

I read and had already heard great things about Snoopdogs 'Razor'

 

I contacted snoopdog only to find that He had a dog from the same litter as Derrie ... (Munchy) and after speaking with snoopdog it was clear that Munchy was also a special all rounder.

 

Anyway we made the plans for next time Derrie was in season we would arrange the mating.

 

The time came and we ended up with 11 pups! not only was she a master in the field she was the best mom you could of wished for, all 11 pups found working homes, My Bitch 'Darla' is as game as her mom and I know JacobEvo's dog 'Troy' is ripping it up also.

 

If i am honest, following on from having her litter she lost some of her edge, she was 7 and her best working years where behind her.

 

She started to struggle with stiff joints and I brought her into the house for warmth and love, she then became the most lovable pet for my now wife and our niece.

 

I would take her on the odd trip and she would always give it everything, I would still put my money on her to be the first dog to make a catch or retrieve.

 

We had many hours wandering around local lanes just enjoying each others company.

 

Everyone that knew Derrie and had seen her work would all have the same opinion that she was that 'special' dog, if it was a tight small field... Get Derrie, basically everyone trusted her to get the job done!

 

It is with a heavy heavy heart that I decided to have Derrie put to sleep on Tuesday this week, she has developed a tumor that effected her ability to use her back legs and hold urine.

 

It was without doubt the hardest thing I have ever had to do but it was my responsibility to repay the bitch that had given me everything and more for the 11 years we had together.

 

A special mention to SkinnyRat, Hightower and Snoopdog.

 

So I am sorry to witter on, but I hope that everyone enjoys my little tribute to our Dezzy, She is laid to rest on our plot of land over looking the fields she ruled for so long.

 

 

RIP Derrie xxx

 

[forest of dean redneck 11,621]

Sorry to hear about derrie

[Bobtheferret 1,248]

Lovely story and nicely written up, good luck with her daughter. Rip Derrie.

[dazbrowne 13 365]

Cracking write up pal just knew what was going to happen when you said about your first time taking her out as your father in law said good dog rip derrie

[hairymuttly 8]

A sad sad day my friend. You obviously had something special with that dog. Until you get it, you can't understand it. I lost my old girl last year at the ripe old age of 15. Had her from 7 weeks old. I also lost my one and only dog in 2010, she was a special one like yours, gave me everything. Had many a happy night out lamping and ferretting with her. She sadly went way to early at 4. Slipped her on a rabbit and she never came back to me, she stumbled and broke her neck. Gutting doesn't come close to what I lost that night, but we know the risks.

RIP little warrior.

[Francie 6,368]

Thanks for sharing that mate, really enjoyed your story, genuine an heartfelt, rip derrie

[pablo esc 1,598]

Good story and you gave the dog a good life and took the right decision. Thanks to the people who helped you and yourself , rest in peace derrie

[ginger beard 4,652]

do you know what x she was.?

[MrsChamp606 553]

[MrsChamp606 553]

Bit of everything in her mate

[clayflint 31]

Fitting tribute. RIP

Edited January 11, 2017 by clayflint

[goshawking719 492]

Sorry to hear that pal. Dogs like that don't come around to often. I saw the muchy run a lot in the past. From how you describe her they sound like peas in a pod. Two special animals.?

[MrsChamp606 553]

Cheers mate, yes a very special dog that will never be replaced.

 

Do you still munch? how is he?

[Dinosaurs 2,101]

What a cracking write up /tribute bud. I think she was lucky to have been with you & your mrs As you were lucky to of had her. Hope her daughter does well. Atb to you & your wife & niece.

[matt1979 766]

Great read and great tribute rip