MTCoonHunter wrote:
My dog lasted out until he was about 9 1/2. Our hunts got shorter and shorter and then he didn't much want to go anymore, self-retired himself to the stove at night. He died when he was 10.
I have two Leopards. I was shocked to look at the papers the other day to see that one is 8 and the other is nine. I couldn't believe it because they get better every year still. Well maybe not better. They just make it look easier and easier. Just looking at them today I fully expect this coming season to be as good as last.
I had an old walker that made it to 13. About 12 though he started losing it mentally more than physically. He might slick tree if I was calling him or he saw my headlight on my head or my truck. At 13, it was the night before the Grand American I took him and my tracking collars were dead. He did not come out though he was treed earlier that night. It was not like him to leave a tree. I got new collars the next day but did not get to look for him that night. The next night he was treed when I got there. I started in and he hushed. I finally left some feed and a coat where I parked. I went back for several nights but never heard anymore of him. Have not found his collar either. I think the old boy just wanted to die in the woods.