Not much of a way to start my week

The dogs are the stars of my fall. Working every day finding grouse and woodcock. The clients and I walk 8 to 10 miles each day but the dogs cover twice that. Their work makes the hunt entertaining and productive. As you might expect they lose weight and are very tired by the end of the season when we return from Libby Camps the drill is for them to eat like there is no tomorrow and sleep.

Copper was a star for the last couple weeks of the season in spite of a scratched cornea and a cut foot. On her last hunt she pointed a grouse right against the side of the road and I could see it getting ready to fly I hollered to our clients standing in the road and they were able to make the shot as the bird flew across the opening. What a memory!

When we returned home she did not eat much had very little energy and was clearly still losing weight. This morning I took her to the vet expecting to hear that she had some sort of infection needing an antibiotic and lots of rest. Rather after an x-ray the vet informed me that she had cancer in her lungs and had already enjoyed her best days. The best thing for her would be to be put down to minimize the suffering.

Not the way I had intended my Monday to start and quite a shock. The saddest thing about owning dogs is that you outlive a bunch of them and I have outlived one more. Copper was a fun dog to be around who loved everyone and only wanted to have someone pet her. Hopefully there are lots of hands for that and a few birds to find where she is now.

One of my favorite Copper stories is online here.