"Ruff" [2015 Original]
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ย. 2024
- 5 years ago this month, I made a documentary about the life, love, heart, drive and impact of my first gun dog, Ruff. It was one of the hardest interviews I've ever done, and I still think about my old boy daily. Since then, I have been blessed to hunt with his sons and continue Ruff's incredible legacy. As Habitat Flats launches a big endeavor this coming spring '21, Habitat Flats Kennels, it was a unanimous decision to make our brand icon, Ruff, the face of our logo. I now want to share this special video here on TH-cam for the first time, and continue to spread the message of blessings that gun dogs bring to the lives of hunters and the homes where they are family.
There's nothing more special than the bond a waterfowler experiences with their sidekick in the field, and this documentary in particular has touched millions of hunters around the world over the years. I now have an equally strong but different bond with his son, Ki, who will be turning 8 this coming February. We are blessed beyond measure to have our dogs in the field, our best friends at home, and the spirit of the hunt live on through our gun dogs.
Thank you to everyone who gives hunting dogs a full life of doing what they love in the field... There aren't happier dogs on the planet. Or, happier dog owners.
_______
Hunt Habitat Flats: www.habitatflats.com
Habitat Flats Kennels: www.habitatflats.com/hf-kennels
Follow on IG & FB: @tonyvandemore | @habitatflats
SUBSCRIBE to the @tonyvandemore Channel for the acclaimed Glory Days Waterfowl Hunting Series & Habitat Flats Guide Tactics Tutorial Series. Turn notifications ON to receive updates when a new video drops!
I don’t care how many times I watch this it’s still just as good as the first time.
Well said, and I can never go past it without watching the whole tribute to the end- So good...
Agreed. Good human companion to His Dogs.
I’m not crying you’re crying. Thank the good lord for giving us mans best friends!
Amen!!
Amen
Amen 🦴
I hope our dogs will be with us in Heaven, they’re each one of a kind and the best animal period!!
You want to see them live forever but it’s hard to watch them when they’re not in their prime brought a tear to my eye
No doubt.
I have watched this video so many times and every time hits the exact same
It does for me as wellB
When you see a man cry. You know it hit him hard. Fly high Ruff. Rest peacefully. 🕊🕊🪦
🙌🏻
Absolutely beautiful. Being a lab owner this hits hard.
I just lost my 7 year old Golden Retriever Molly to a tumor. Loved her more than life. She will never be replaced. She doesn’t need to be. I have adopted another 8 month old and she will bring her own version of love and fill her own space in my heart. I only hope she gets to live a longer life. Great story. RIP Ruff.
Sorry to hear that!!
Emotional story , lost my lab Lulu thanksgiving week four years ago. Still not over it, I remember sitting at the window with her where she’d always lay down and look outside. Cooked her a nice steak and just enjoyed our last moments together. Had the Vet give her the shot and she passed right there with her head on my lap. I remember just crying and rubbing her head for over an hour. No dog will ever replace her , it’s hard for those that have never had a lab especially one that loves you so deeply.
Their only fault is they don’t live long enough!
Just got MY first duck dog a chocolate lab. He was trained and bred by a pro but he just hasn't figured out the live birds and I'm learning as much as him. Hope he gets it and is as good as he is on the bumpers eventually. Never leaves my side ever.
It’s a joint learning process 100%. Congrats on your first sidekick in the field - there’s nothing like it.
This is exactly why i can't bring myself to get another dog. Same scenario happened with me and my dog Jake. Happened over 10 years ago and I'm still crushed.
Listening to your story with Ruff made me choke up big time, but was worth watching. Thanks Tony.
You won’t have another Jake but you’ll have another special bond. I’d highly encourage you to get a puppy and let yourself be a dog’s best friend again.
Same here brother. I put mine down 4 years ago and haven't been able to stomach getting another dog since. My friends and hunting partners still talk about my Dusty. He was the bravest, most loyal creature I've ever known.
Ciao tony!! Ti sono nel cuore ❤, io ho vissuto la tua stessa storia con il mio axel!!!!! Quando mi a lasciato volevo smettere di andare a caccia, fino all'ultimo momento della sua vita voleva venire anche se non ce la faceva più!!! Purtroppo è troppo corta la vita dei nostri cani, però in quei pochi anni loro ci venerano e fanno tutto per noi!!! Un abbraccio forte dell'Italia!!!
Thanks for the note!! Good dogs are the best part of the hunt!
Brings a tear to my eye had a dog the exact same way. She was my baby and I lost her to cancer, still miss her to this day. Thank the lord for blessing us with our companions
I hear ya, it never really goes away - the missing them part. It helps immensely to have his son who is a spitting image! Hoping for the same with the next generation.
I still got the Fuel The Fire dvd with Ruff on the cover. That was one hell of a dog. Not a lot of people are as fortunate to have a companion like him.
Thank you lord for this dog
I had the pleasure of hunting with Ruff as a young dog, and I own one of his grandsons. We have a bond that is amazing. I have watched this video multiple times, and tear up every time. With my Timber turning 8 this past year, I know the time will come that I will have to see him pass, but I know I have tried to give him the best that I could, because I know he always gives me his best! Tony, I'm going to have to bring him by sometime, so you can see him.
This brings joyful tears to my eyes. I miss my pup more than ever. I have a similar life story of a dog that I had since I was a child. The bond between a dog and their partner is the best relationship a man can ask for.
Thank you for sharing your story. Ruff was the dog every duck hunter dreams of. Remember all the great times and Ruff will always live on within you.
Remember watching this back in 2015 when my own lab was 2. Now, 6 years later I found this short film again, and boy does this hit hard. Beautiful film! I hope we have many great hunting seasons left still, but I dread the day when it's time...
Brings a tear to your eye
I came across your video while I was looking for music ideas for a memorial video for a dog I just lost. I know this was two years ago for you, but I also know the love of a good dog is a thing you never forget.
No doubt about it, you never lose their memory!
Wow, what a story. Definitely brings a year to the eye.RIP RUFF
God bless you! Thank you for sharing Ruff and your story. I had a black lab, Wyatt. I felt the same way. He was the most loyal loving dog to the end. He will be forever in my heart.
Thank you, they won’t be forgotten!
I’m here to tell you that there is more than one good dog for dogmen. I was told the same thing as a young man and it about broke my heart. But it isn’t true. As we get better so so they.
I hate to watch them on the down hill. I’m a coward I’ve never aged out a dog, I rehome them and do well to hear how happy some family or individual is to have a dog with so much time on them.
Thanks for this bro. They grow so much from pups and we get used to seeing them head a certain direction, it’s hard to see them head the other.
Thank you, definitely more than one good one!
It was a honor and pleasure to get to hunt with the 2 of you.
“It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." ~Unknown~
Jimmie Neal
Great quote!!!
I watch this video more than 100 time but can't control my tears 😢. Ruff was the wonderful dog ever ❤. The connection between both is like partner and some time I feel during watching the video like they understand both feeling. Wonderful Dog 🐕 ❤ ever.
You and me both!
Thanks bother. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND. Peace ☮️ to you. And Kai
Thanks!
It's a real bittersweet time when you watch your prime dog go past their peak and see the young dog ascend. Every day with them is special. Thanks for posting Tony🐾🐾
I'm crying and I was fortunate ive had more than one. Im 56 so I had childhood dogs and grown up dogs. Nothing is better.
Ruff walks beside you every day and lives within you every second of the day! Beautiful tribute to the ONE "good dog" you started your journey with! To have Ruff's son as your next ONE makes your story that much more touching!
Good brother as a water fowl hunter, dog trainer, ( amateur but I try) 3 tours in the Middle East I thought I was emotionally controlled. You Sir, broke me. I could feel the love for Ruff. I am an old man who has had many outstanding Labs. You will have many incredible Retrievers. Well done Sir. All the best to you.
THANK YOU for your service!! Hard to believe but the pup in that video (Ki) is ten already and starting to slow down. I’ve got two of his pups (Ruff’s grandsons) in training now.
@@tonyvandemore Record the training. Post it. Keep up dated. I showed this post to my wife and daughter. They blubbered crying. They miss Toby (our black we put down not long ago.) My wife survived Pancreatic cancer. Toby was there for her entire chemo bouts. I think you can understand the bond she had with him. He never left her side. My wife was crushed when I told her it was time. It has been 7 months and she still fills up when we talk about him.
Thank you for your story.
Ruff sounds like one hell of a dog but even more of a friend. My first one, was Rookie and we got him before my son was born so he was our baby. He loved to hunt and was the easiest dog I have ever trained. Hurt like nothing else when we had to put him down but he had given me some of the best hunts of my life. Here we are 11 years later and my son has his own lab, Maverick. We have started hunting with him and it brings back so many memories of Rookie. The best hunting buddies in the world are your dad, your son and a dang good lab. Thanks for the video and insight into the life of Ruff!
I have shed more tears over the years with the loss of a dog than I ever have over a family member and I have had a great family. Many of my best days were spent in the blind with the best companion you could ever ask for… . 🌾Peace to “RUFF” I Salute you for you service 🦆
Well said, they are damned hard to replace! As a general whole of the population, few people get to experience the unwavering love of a great gun dog!
I know where you come from, I had mine for 16 yr. He was doing the same, Creed like a baby. SharePoint do miss him every day. Was my kid, my best friend. I'll always miss Hoss.
Amen!!
Brings a tear to my eye however you said something that means so much to me “I don’t know if he will be a ruff but he will be a my”
A “Ki”
Got a 9 month old black lab, he’s in my pfp, already retrieved 15 birds this season, I learn just as much as he does. This is an amazing story and I know that someday I’ll be in your shoes. congratulations on your success and RIP RUFF.
Beautiful story. Watched it several times now. Brings a tear every time
Troy, I'm sorry for you loss. I know it hurts as much now as it did then. Thank you for sharing Ruff's story.
Thank you!
I’m all teared up with a huge knot in my throat! ❤
I still get the same way when I watch it!
I cried when I watched your tribute 2 years ago when I retired Hanna at 12 .... I cried again tonight knowing I am putting her down this week. The bond with a gun dog is something that can't be explained unless you have lived it. Thank you for sharing, Tony. Your video says it all...
Hate to hear that!! It’s not easy, but it will get better.
Thank you for sharing. I lost my Dog two days ago, he was the bestest and most loyal boy ever. i`m gonna miss him so much. watching videos like yous help me through this time.
Sorry to hear that!!
My father raised and trained waterfowl dogs when I was growing up and my first dog lived for 16 years and she passed when I was in high school. That was the first time I had ever felt that great deal of loss. I went in the military after high school and never had the time to raise and train another dog until I retired out a few years ago. I have a two year old black lab named Bayou and he has no quit what so ever and is unstoppable like she was. He embodies my first retriever heartbeat in every way. My dad had a 1982 1 ton Chevrolet pickup my whole life growing up that we pulled his boat to the delta to hunt, and he passed away January 2021 and I now have the old farm truck. I’ve been rebuilding the truck from front to back, and in the process I found her collar in the truck in which was like a time capsule. He had put it in the truck when he had her put down and all I could do was sit in the truck and cry like a baby for the loss of him and the loss of her which I thought after over 20 years would be gone but it never does. The truck is now running and driving and her collar hangs on the rear view mirror. Me and Bayou pull the boat down to the delta with the farm truck every morning to get in our duck hole. Watching your video hits home with me!
Thank you for sharing your story… It’s incredible how those feelings never leave us. And I love that you’ve rebuilt the truck of your dad’s you grew up in! Full circle.
@@tonyvandemore yes sir but the memories are worth the pain!
I watch this every so often as a grown man I shed a tear in remembrance of ole Ruger my best buddy and hunting partner. He was with me in my younger more uncertain years. He listened to me like a kid to a dad until one day while getting a recliner from my parents he walked off I know,because I told him come on bud. Never would have thought he’d have kept on walking. Looked for him till daylight the next morning right up to my clock in time at work. I was late but didn’t care. Scavenged every nook and cranny rode the roads and called his name a million times. Idk what got into him but he was found in the ditch directly in front of my house I now own by my little brothers bus driver. Now I have another beautiful lab I thought would never fill his shoes. She’s certainly not a hunter anymore but the kids love her and she’s curled up to me 5 years old like the puppy she once was. I miss my friend with vengeance. Man it still hurts but atleast he went before me and I’m the one who has to live without him. RIP buddy hope I see you again someday!
I hear you there, it’s hard not to miss them when the bond is that strong!
God this video gets me every time. My dogs getting up there and I keep watching this video and it gets me everytime. It explains the relationship between a bird dog and it’s owner perfectly
I’m so sorry about ruff let’s all pray that someday when this man will get to see ruff
My wife and I picked up our yellow lab Minnie 11-7-21(my first bird dog as a adult) bringing her home was a huge accomplishment, her first wild bird was a ruffed grouse and as cool as it is to hunt with her sometimes I catch myself thinking that the day is going to come when she's no longer with us. Her first season she retrieved 8 grouse 6 roosters and flushed who knows how many hens it's hard to believe how fast our first season has come and gone but owning a bird dog is a special thing. Losing a family member and hunting partner is hard but your dog a great life and he was a great hunter, 25k birds is a milestone.
Thank you, I thing better than hunting with a good dog! Congrats on your first season!
Forever will be the saddest story of losing a pet, especially your hunting buddy.
1/2 way through our Season, it was time to see this again....Brings perspective every time I watch this as to just how important my waterfowl dogs are to me...Time to go to the couch, and hug my boys...RIP Ruff
They are part of the family!!
Posted on my Facebook 2016 and every year after as it pops up in my memories ~ I don't have a Ruff.. but I have a Colee.. she has that same drive of fetching her ball. She's going on 10 and she's a little bit slower these days but the aches & pains won't stop her from wanting that ball.. her little ears perk up and her eyes come alive at the mention of the word.
I love this dog and as we count down the years together I can honestly say there's been no dog like her.. she's been the only one who has to sleep with her head on my shoulders.. which means she'll crawl up on my pillows ever so quietly and rest her head near mine.. I use to get on to her for doing so until I realized it was just her love for me so I let her win ♡.. someday I'll miss that about her #wipestears
This video might be about Ruff but as a mother of a black Lab I know the drive he speaks of ♡ #ripRuff2014 ##ripColee2020
They just don’t live long enough!
Very well said Sir! He lived his life to the fullest, through every one of his retrieves to please you! There is nothing in this world, stronger than a labs want, to please his owner. You were very blessed to have enjoyed his life till the end. God Bless, and best of luck with the new one.🤗👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏
Blessed I was and am. We all are lucky to have them!
My Noah is the same way, unwavering drive, huge heart. It hurts me to see him hit 6 this year already. But, I cherish every morning I get to spend with him hunting. I know it makes him happy too.
He’s in his prime!
Tony, I know I've watched this video 10 times in the last few months. I know I'll watch it again before too long. That bond...
Irreplaceable!
I know where you are coming from. I just lost my hunting buddy of 16 years. He was one tough dog. Spent a lot of time with him in the blind/boat. I would give anything to see him again. Heart still had the drive but his body wasn't able. So opening day was a bitter sweet thing this year I put his collar on m blind bag so that he is always with me when I go. God bless Mr. Vandamore don't ever forget Ruff. We will see them again one day and they will be waiting for is there tail wagging and all. Keto up the great work.
Hard to hear stories like that. They don’t live long enough! Blessed for the time we have with them.
@@tonyvandemore yes we are sir.
It's not the things we teach them, it's the things they teach us. Gosh what a beautiful and touching story. Thank you for making this video. ❤️♥️
Thank you, that is spot on!
Amen Tony. God has blessed me with a few wonderful Labs.
Nothing better!!
being a first lab puppy owner at 20 years old was the best decision I ever made. he’s my absolute best friend.
They are awesome!
❤❤❤❤❤❤ Kia Kaha and heaps of Aroha to you and Ruff 🐾🐾🐾
Thank you!
I just sent this to my brother, I e watched a few times & every time I end up sobbing! 😢
You and me both!!
I showed this video to a canine unit I was apart of several years ago. You summed up the way everyone of us feel/felt about our partners. Thank You!!!
Thanks for your Story About Ruff
Me And my wife Had to put Are little boy Rex Down 12/31/2022 new years Eve
It hurt like hell the trachea collapse got him but he hung on as Long as he could for me And her.
I never forget that little boy he was 16 Years old
Sorry to hear that, it’s never easy!
I watched this and it made me cry my eyes out. Thanks for sharing
Awesome video, I lost my duck dog on November 10th last year. He was my best friend, went to work with me in the woods every day and hunted on the off days. Great tribute film.
There’s nothing better than a working dog and a best friend mixed together. They’ll be right by your side every single day no matter what’s going on and that right there is something to be thankful for. Dogs are something else. Great video Tony
That’s a fact!!
I don’t know why I watch these videos. Miss my boy Buster so much.
I hear you, they just don’t live long enough. It’s a bond that’s hard to describe!
Great Video. So much truth, you're right, he didn't pick up that last bird for himself. This is one reason I love labs, I really don't think there is another dog that wants to please more. Rest easy Ruff, you have done plenty of work.
😥💔 - beautiful story...
Thank you!!
Damn this story tore me up .
You and me both!
Although I don't understand English well, as a hunter I understood you, and with all my heart I sympathize with your loss😔👋
Are you happy with yourself for making a 45 year old man cry?!?
Just a few months ago I lost my black lab of 14 years (Sebby).
As I watch this my new buddy (Gage) - black lab now 8 months, is at my feet wondering why I'm crying.
I'll repeat the cycle as many times as I'm alive.
It never gets easier, but is still always worth it.
I wish I could be the man my dogs always think I am.
Amen!
I remembered watching the other version. Actually watched it while in Sumner MO hunting snows at your lodge.
This is an amazing piece of film Tony. They can't live forever, but we all wish they could. Ruff seemed like a great one.
Just put our baby to sleep Sunday. 14 y/o chocolate lab “Sam”. He was something special and just perfect. We didn’t run him. His hips gave out as well even after the medical advice for treatment but bubba got tired. We couldn’t stand watching his pain. The toughest part is knowing they hold pain back for us. Quite a few tears from our family to the entire office staff were shed…Something about a lab….something about them. Can’t replace it. 💔
There is nothing east about it!
You would do it all over again. Amazing!
Cried and Cried. Man this hits hard everytime I watch it. A good dog is one of the best gifts in this world...
You were blessed. Those of Us that have been fortunet to be bless with a canine partner like this , knows how hard it is to lose them. God made them just for Us. Thank you for sharing your story.
Amen, they are pretty special!
@@tonyvandemore indeed , sadly We don't have longer to be with them. Lost mine 2 yrs ago and my heart still breaks
My Elsie took her last retrieve this past season. At 53 I shot my first goose and with arthritis and cancer she clawed her way through the swamp and back with a still very much alive Canada Goose in her mouth. I much bigger bird than she’d ever faced. I could not walk through the stuff she went through me and as Tony said I think she was doing it for me. I know dogs don’t have the same cognitive abilities we do but she was different at home that afternoon. Usually, when I spend time in the garage she preferred to sleep on the couch but she stayed out there with me all day that day. I really think she knew what she had done and was proud of it. I knew that was probably her last hunt and one afternoon this past spring she finally gave up the fight. She was the best dog I’ve hunted over and had more drive and intensity than any other I’ve seen. Her successor will be here in a few weeks. Probably to late for this season. But who knows. Elsie was only 6 months old when she and my son got their first duck. We will see.
Thanks for sharing! Their only fault is they don’t live long enough!
Giving a dog such a life, with a sense of purpose- something to do that they know will please you as their owner, and caring for them day to day is what makes the sorrow of that final decision worth it… and they never truly leave- not completely…
I thought only I'm crying in this kind of situation but seems looks like not, what a huge love, that 🐕 face so intelligent ❤️❤️❤️ I'm sorry for your loss😟
I lost my Curly dog in January he would have been 14 in June. he was just a xbred hound and a hunting dog deluxe.Curly passed with his head in my lap too. Semper Fidelis Bible and Sword.
Amen!!
I knew better than to watch this...dang,brings back memories of mine.
Amen!
My beloved lab Shadow had to be put down 17 years ago
I’ll never forget him … watching this video makes all that crying worth it for him
I cried like I did all those years ago
I hear you!! You won’t ever forget him!
@@tonyvandemore are tku
The guy who posted this video and your dog .. amazing and so touching your story
Thank you
I no this feeling. Its hard but arent we so thankful for what they br8ng us.
No doubt, priceless!
This brings a tear to my eyes every time I don’t care who you are he’s right I’m sure we all had that one dog I know I have and you pray to god you can find another dog to measure up
Still brings a tear to mine! His son Ki has been stellar as well!
Awesome story. Dogs are more than just pets. They become family and create a bond that cant be broken.
Got a Brit Lab who just turned 12 yesteday. He got a woodie and a honker on the opener here in MN. I hate seeing him in the shape that he is in, but still has that look in his eyes. "We going hunting?".. look. Thanks for sharing!
Wow…. Amazing story with so much love. I completely understand how he was feeling cause I had to say goodbye to my 16 year
Old girl…. Hardest thing I’ve ever had to do
Amen, nothing east about it!
Thanks for sharing brother
Thanks for watching!
I’ve watched this video a dozen plus times and it gets to me every time
A very moving film. Only a hunter knows that kind of bond - at work and play.
Thanks for uploading.
What a fantastic video , I'm on dog 5 now .
Their only fault is they don’t live long enough!
i don’t know if you’ll read this or if this is your channel but i stumbled upon this video in class today and came back to it at home my first lab was a chocolate i got when i was 3 named ruff best dog ever watching this video made me tear up hard
It’s a special bond for sure, thanks for sharing!
man im bawling like a baby, dogs are great
The best!!
We have to put our pittie down tomorrow. Your story is spot on how we all feel when this has to take place...it sucks man...I'm in tears...
Sorry to hear that!
Mannn thatl make you shed a tear idc who you are. The time we spend alone with them in the woods in a bond you wouldn’t understand unless you’ve been thede
No doubt about it!!
ive got curlys grandson elijah and he is carrying the torch now.
That’s great, never lose your line!
Shoot I don’t get how he even could talk about this on camera I’d never be able to keep it together that’s just to painful
Beautiful story man. God knew what he was doing when he created, "man's best friend".
Amen, thank you!
I appreciate you making that video. I sure did cry over it. Got my first Lab real close too.
i’m crying your the best
i am in class watching this and was crying in class. Dogs don't deserve us
Haven't had a good cry for awhile, this never disappoints ... :) Such a wonderful tribute- For everyone who's ever loved a duck dog...
Appreciate that Rob - everyone can relate for sure.