Happy

For many of us the pleasure of hunting upland birds and waterfowl has little meaning if not for the company of our best hunting companions - our dogs. Happy and I have enjoyed many a great day in the field searching out upland birds or overlooking a spread of decoys.

It's a crushing blow when we lose our "best friends". Just a couple of weeks back Happy became ill and by the time the cause was determined, she was gone. Happy was just 7 years old and in her prime. The cause of her passing seems un-real and something I would never have suspected. I'm sorry this is not a jolly story but I feel its one that needs to be shared with my friends who also take their dogs afield.

On Monday Happy did not eat her evening dinner but seemed fine. On Tuesday she ate only part of her morning meal and none of her evening. I was not terribly alarmed. During the week she ate less and became lethargic. On Saturday I took her to see her veterinarian. Dr. Howland checked her over and could find nothing, blood work, scat sample and urine showed normal. By Sunday she was really down, Monday x-rays were taken and it was clear Happy had something happening in her lungs. Dr. Howland suggested it could be a tumor and then he asked if she had been where there was cheat grass or foxtail. Of course she had, in Eastern Washington and Montana. He then suggested that she may have picked up cheat grass in her foot that traveled to and lodged in her lung. Surgery would only tell the real story. The following morning surgery was performed, Happy died on the operating table, indeed from infection called Nocardia (1).

How on Earth could this happen? This bacterium is found in the soil and can be transmitted into man or animal from sand particles collected in cuts or, as assumed in Happy's case, by a cheat grass seed pod carrying the infection. Dr. Howland and I discussed what may have made a difference in saving Happy's life. Perhaps, and it is only perhaps, if we had taken the x-ray early on the infection would have been identified earlier and antibiotics may have made a difference. Dr. Howland said, "It's important to let your veterinarian know your pets travel history as this may identify issues such as Heart Worm which only are found in certain areas of the country."

This writing has become way too long but it is difficult to tell this tale without making it lengthy. I am also researching pet insurance and will report my findings in a later writing.

Happy was a marvelous companion whether at home, in the office or in the field, she had many four and two footed friends. She was a tremendous athlete and game for any challenge in the field.

If there is good news it is that last year Zachariah (Zach) joined our family. He is now just one year old. Zach learned a great deal from Happy and hunted far better than one would have expected from a puppy last fall. Zach demonstrated his frustration at Hap’s absence by chewing up everything he could and acting totally un-Zach like for several days.

Happy will truly be missed by me and her many friends. But she will be remembered fondly.

( 1.) A genus of gram-positive, aerobic bacteria whose species are widely distributed and are abundant in soil. Some strains are pathogenic opportunists for man and animals.

Best Regards,