Sad to say, I bought my backhoe knowing full well that it would be used for burying my hunting dogs as they passed away.
I have had 15-20 Labs over the 50 years of upland hunting. Five at a time once. But I knew that, given a dog's lifespan, dealing with their death would be a regular and heart-wrenching issue. That is just the nature of a dogs existence.
Just two days ago, my final Lab (given my age) was diagnosed with diabetes. He is the best of all of the Labs, in all aspects, that I've ever owned. He is only 6 and has given my wife and me 6 years of constant joy and full devotion.
I will try to keep him alive for as long as possible, but an early end is assured. He will likely not live a full life Hunting is pretty much over for him, and me.
After shedding many tears for him over the last couple of days, I've decided to give back to him as many years of joy and devotion that he has shown me - hopefully more.