18-year-old Bear Dog a local legend in small town

By Associated Press and KATU.com Staff Published: Feb 26, 2013 at 8:00 PM PDT

CASTLE ROCK, Wash. -- An 18-year-old black Lab named Bear Dog is well known around Castle Rock, where he was often seen at the North County Recreation Sports Complex or joining fishermen along the Cowlitz River.

"Somebody's going by with a fishing pole, he's going fishing," said Bear Dog's owner Don Caulfield. "He just looks at me and I say 'okay', and he's gone. He'll go fishing with those guys all day."

Bear Dog is even friends with the local wildlife.

"One guy said 'hey that dog's chasing deer,' but I said 'hang on a minute,'" said Caulfield. "they'd jump in the water, they played. It was a daily ritual for a couple of years."

Caulfield thought it was all over for Bear Dog a couple of months ago when his back legs stopped working. Caulfield couldn't afford the vet's $150 euthanasia fee. He considered shooting Bear Dog, but couldn't pull the trigger.

"I couldn't do it," said Caulfield. "I didn't have the guts to. I got all choked up about it. Went in the house and prayed about it, and prayed over him, and put my gun away."

Then Bear Dog fell down the porch steps and miraculously regained the ability to walk.

A story about Bear Dog in The Daily News brought an outpouring of visitors and gifts of steak and dog bones. One woman says she'll cover his vet bills in his final days, including the cost of putting Bear Dog to sleep.

KATU's Joe English contributed to this story.

Keepalowprofile

Thank you to the lady that will cover his vet bills.

peace

In Japan, I have seen dogs, cats, even rabbits with crippled hindquarters and/or broken legs outfitted with a type of rickshaw prosthetic, permanently, or just while recovering, that makes the animal quite mobile. They just "dog paddle" with their 2 front legs/paws and go everywhere they wanna' go, which is usually with their master.

I know vets have these here too, and they probably cost a bit. But, I am sure a master could spend a weekend making one that would be compatible and less expensive. >>>Just Google>>>Wheel chairs for dogs<<<for images and some surprisingly fair prices.

Just me

1 Like

This gives me hope for my 12 year old lab...

peace

@Just meÂ >>>http://puppyvision.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/faith-the-walking-dog/<<<

Just Duckee

What a lovely story and what a nice looking dog. 18 is a loong time for an animal although it helps if you have a good vet and the animals are lucky. I wonder if the dog hadn't displaced some hip joint and when he fell, it put it back in place. Granted, to get an xray of the dog's legs costs a fair amount, but I hope they have a good vet to help keep Bear Dog around for even longer.

Fancy Jack

See how old a dog can get if you keep it away from the SPCA, PETA, or the Humane Society.

Just Duckee

1 Like

@Fancy JackÂ well, I guess some answers are dumber than others. How many animals have you rescued? How many do you have right now, today, that you take care of and get medical attention for? Cats as well as dogs? What do you do to make sure that cats and dogs are healthy and not breeding wild and feral litters? You really are....oh, nevermind. Your answer speaks for itself.

Fancy Jack

1 Like

@Just DuckeeÂ @Fancy JackÂ Â No one kills more animals than the SPCA, PETA, or the Humane Society, it is a documented fact, they could spend the millions they take in from donations, but they kill to protect this income, their kill rates are 95% or greater, you begin to understand why when you find out they spend less than 5% of their donations on preserving animals for adoption, this is deplorable by my standards, Peta may be the worst of the bunch, their kill rates are high and they spend their donations , not on animals, but on criminals, as much as 80% of their annual income is used to help convicted criminals, look it up, check the facts, then get back to me about dumb.

peace

@Fancy JackÂ @Just DuckeeÂ ---I know I feel dumb and apologetic.Â

Fancy Jack

1 Like

@Just DuckeeÂ @Fancy JackÂ 1 dog, 21 cats and 3 pidgeons, I am on a first name basis with my vet and have worked closely with the 4H progam, small animals, for over 26 years, my most favorite memory was when all the champions in every barn, were kids that had passed through our program.