IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN....

I've hunted big game--elk, antelope,deer, etc.--and I've truly enjoyed the camaraderie of my friends and fellow hunters. But if I had to choose only one kind of hunting, it would be bird hunting with my dog.  First of all, the weather is usually better--and generally speaking, the hunting is more "social" and "casual"--and I like that.  There is nothing like a partnership with a good canine hunting companion shared with  like-minded friends and well-behaved dogs.

This spring, with snow melt and spring flooding-- "freshets" as they used to call them--puddles of water were everywhere, Waterfowl were using them while other species took the high ground.  K-Lee and I walked trails and fields.  We found ducks and woodcock, and did a little exploring.  On one of her many trips down a river's bank, I heard a yip.  My inspection found no sore spots or visible injuries, so we continued.  Later in the day, she began to be lame and favor her left rear leg.  Perhaps a cramp or something?   Once home, I noticed that she would point her left rear leg.   I was only slightly concerned.   About a week later, she became lame again.  Same symptoms.  This time the pointing of the left rear leg was a bit more dramatic.  We needed answers.

She was supposed to 'run' in a training event at our local NAVHDA chapter, but I pulled her from the line-up and kept her resting.  Monday we went to see our vet.  Doctor Connor checked her thoroughly and we agreed that we should x-ray her joints to make sure that nothing "bad" was going on in the skeletal structure.  (I was intending to have her hips "checked" at about two, so this was timely.)  It turned out that her hips and elbows were fine, but there was a little inflammation and swelling that would indicate a pulled or torn tissue.  Doctor Connor's examination  was absolutely thorough.

He prescribed two weeks rest with an anti-inflammatory drug.  (Have you any idea how frustrated a canine athlete gets when they're sidelined for fourteen days?)  So far we're doing alright.  I let her outside but keep her activity to a minimum.  We practice little drills like "heel", "down", "hold"--stuff like that to keep her mind occupied.

Injuries--they're bound to happen.  Our canine companions charge through brush, dead-falls, up and down ravines, swim lakes, rivers and streams, and in general, go through all kinds of "hell" to hold up their part of the partnership.

(I try to convince K-Lee that when I shoot and miss, I'm only doing her a favor--she doesn't "buy" it.)

Think about that when you're out with your pup. Pick your "spots" and seek to avoid injury.  You'll feel like you were doing your best to keep them out of trouble, but no matter what you do, it's bound to happen.

Y'know what?  I don't think the dogs would have it any other way!