hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

There is a saying that deals with dogs and owners. "You can say anything you like or don't like about me, but don't ever saying anything bad about my dog". I had a dog as a kid on an Iowa farm. It was a mixed breed of Doberman and Bull Dog. Old Jack lived in the manger of the horse barn, ate food scrapes, chased cars on Hwy 30 and scared the hell out of Knights of the Road. He lived to be 18 and died of a heart attack while chasing a car. After marriage, 4 kids later, came 2 Basset Hounds (more of less worthless but funny) and Irish Setter (great hunter/pointer) and 3 successive Black Labrador Retrievers. Tiffany was a super dog and a hunter/retriever as well. But as a pup, she ate all the wiring off my trailer, some magazines followed by a desert of bird seed (that one cost a vet bill of $600) the plastic slats off the lounge chair and quite a bit of the wood work in the house. But now we began having grandchildren, and what we discovered was that Tiffy allowed two age brackets to do just about anything to her, and not react in kind, but just lick and wag. The 2 ages that could get away with just about anything were old folks like me, and more importantly, babies. We have 16 grandchildren now and probably just getting started, because 5 are great grandchildren. Little fingers in dogs eyes, hands and even arms down the dogs throat, pulling ears and tails are just a few of the indignities that our Labs have had to endure. Tiffany lived to be 12, then came Lucy who weighed in at 110 pounds and actually would point and retrieve who made it to 11 and now Sophie who is the English version and has been completely ruined by my wife into the form of a rather worthless Queen that lays on the deck and watches rabbits hop across the yard while she yawns. But all had one very important virtue of loving little kids. And tell me, who do you know who doesn't like a Lab puppy. I don't!

lilac

So nice to hear about how your dogs ruled your life. Sure is a cute puppy.

qhorse Loc: north carolina

Indeed, even mixed Lab's are the very best. I've had the opportunity to have two, one succumbed at 12 and now my Abby is 9 yrs. old. Very intuitive, very personable and can read my mind, nothing better than a Lab!

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

Dogs are the best and your story rings so true

They are such a good judge of character

They know a child means no harm and an elder may need some help

I am not religious but love dogs and spell dog backwards and what do you get. Enough said

Dogman Loc: Michigan

I know some Army Combat Trackers who used Labs in Vietnam and would say the same thing, nothing like a Lab!

Dogman

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Mine is a yellow lab. 100% AKC registered and has his "Champions" title in Obedience Trial Competition. He is 11 years old now and just like yours, "Dusty Boy" has also survived 16 grandchildren. Just like his famous father,
"Lenches Teddy Bear" (who was invited to Westminster in February 2000 to compete in Confirmation Trials amongst several hundred other dogs of various breeds (winning Best of Breed, but did not win Best In Show) is well bred, extremely intelligent, gentle, obedient, loyal, funny, good natured, loving, in great health and still chases squirrels. Now that I am a widower, he has become my best friend and companion, always at my side. Long live the Labrador Retriever.

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Well now you are talking big time dog and your dog is in a different elite class. But with all the special talents, the one that is the best is the same as all the others. As for Westminster, we have good friends who bred Irish Wolf Hounds for show. They indicated that they thought politics played to much of a part in show ratings. The 2013 best in show winner was an Affenpincher that looked like a bad dust mop to me, but then what do I know. Not much. Maybe you should think about getting a new Lab puppy now, so your old friend could help train him. It will keep you and the old Lab young. You will never see a Black Lab in a commercial, because they are hard to photo, but your Yellow Lab might get a chance. Our Lab is just 5 now and we have thought about getting a pup to cover us until they cover us, but we are not totally sure that we have the stamina for yet another pup. 2nd Lab Lucy @ Pelican Lake MN.

Lucy loved the water as they all do

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

I had Dusty Boy's big brother Major Vaughn Duke A Boy until May 2011. They had same mom (Lenches Spicey Pepper) and dad (Lenches Teddy Bear). Both were Obedient Trial Grand Champion's. Duke A Boy was 11 1/2 when he died. Trainer told us he was the smartest dog she had ever worked with in 17 years handling, training and showing dogs for competition. Will get another yellow or two when its time.

infocus Loc: Australia

Love your shot of the little pup at your feet - you know and I know if you love it it will happily sit there forever.
I've had 7 Labs over the years. without exception every one of them has been exceptional with kids. My eldest son learned to walk by grabbing great handfuls of skin on my first Lab and standing up. she would look at him and say "are we ready?" and then she would start to walk with him hanging on. She lived to be 17.

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Anheuser-Busch employs Clydesdales to sell beer... likewise, the ' Barkley Family ' stars in commercials for Subaru

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pjl2R_XZ4bo