This is my first post here, though I have been very active with the DM project from the beginning. This is a dreaded disease but I thought I'd share a positive story about a dog with this terrible condition. Below is an exerpt from my own site (I hope the pictures show up):

Those of you who have followed the site for a while are well aware of the struggles we have had with Emma over the last two years (Article on getting a diagnosis). After getting a diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy instead of degenerative disc disease, as was initially suspected, I have tormented myself for not hunting Emma over the last year. At the time we thought it was the right decision for her health; however, with hindsight being 20/20 I get sick thinking of the year of hunting I’ll never get back with her.

Once we acquired her wheelchair I made it my one goal to get her out for at least one more bird. We took a couple of test outings after doves and spent two days prior to this hunt, adjusting and tightening the chair, to make sure it would hold up to the beating of an upland hunt. I truly haven’t cared if I shot a bird all season, as long as I was able to get my Emma girl at least one opportunity.

The Wednesday prior was filled with anticipation on my part, as Thursday was truly going to be a special day on many, many levels for this hopeless romantic. It would be the first day I was able to hunt over each dog, and it was the first day Chrissy accompanied us on one of these prairie hunts. After a restless night and some stout coffee we pointed the truck west.



Anyone who has ever hunted prairie birds understands that nothing about these birds is a sure thing. My four years of meticulous record-keeping allowed me to put the odds in my favor for a productive outing, but at the end of the day it was going to take some special help from above to make this hunt a success.

We had decided to hunt Emma first before the day had a chance to get warm and to make sure that if things didn’t go well we had some time to think up a Plan B. When we arrived at our starting point we got Emma in her chair and situated before getting the rest of the gear together. I became more apprehensive when she rolled the chair next to the truck out of pure excitement. After we got her righted, I was a bit relieved, as she seemed to calm down some and gather her wits.

We headed out into the field and my old Chessie was back, alive with enthusiasm and quartering out in front like she hadn’t missed a beat. The chair slowed her down some, but I joked with Chrissy that it actually kept her in gun range the entire time. The spot I had chosen was a long ridge that had been productive more times than not over the last couple of years. When we were three-quarters of the way out, with not a bird produced, I began to feel the trip was going to be birdless. Birds or not Emma continued to have the time of her life; back doing what she was born and bred to do. The enthusiasm as she quartered was truly priceless. Those who don’t think animals are thinking, feeling animals have never appreciated a working dog doing what it loves, what it lives, to do.



As we neared the end of the ridge, four sharpies flushed wild and way out to my right, and although Emma was having fun my heart sank just a little deeper. Shortly after the flush Emma got birdy and veered to my left, everything occurred in slow motion as the sharpie took flight from in front of the Chessie. I swung on the bird, pulled the trigger and watched as the bird dropped from the sky with Emma already in hot pursuit. It wasn’t a 200-yard blind or an icy mallard retrieve, but this simple sharptail retrieve was the happiest moment I’ve ever had hunting. The bounce in her step and the look on her face made me think it was probably Emma’s as well.



After a round of pictures we circled back to the truck, because Emma had already downed a bottle of water and the chair was taking a beating from her enthusiasm. Chrissy and I reminisced about this great dog and through tears I had lost track of the fact Emma was once again birdy. Before I had a chance to catch up Emma was in the middle of a group of seven prairie chickens, which I could do nothing more than throw a Hail Mary towards. Had I been paying attention, I would have had the opportunity to shoot a limit over this amazing dog.



Back at the truck we took another round of pictures and put the tired pup in her kennel. Not yet ready to head back, we decided to hunt over each of the other dogs prior to breaking for lunch.



Maggie was first up and still in her careless-abandon, early-season style. After a couple of passes Chrissy sarcastically noted how she couldn’t understand why this dog was always injured. Midway out in a large open flat Maggie bumped a pair of birds which slowed her up and allowed her to point the next group. I took a prairie chicken from the covey. On a day that was already more than perfect a new thought started creeping into my mind…this may be the only day I ever hunt over each dog and potentially take a bird over each dog.

The wunderkind was up next, and Belle did not disappoint. With a strong wind at our back the little dog was circling out in front of us and swung around in a point along a fence. The prairie chicken seemed to hold extra tight which allowed a fairly straightforward shot and a flawless retrieve. The magical day had been completed and the Good Lord had allowed a fairy tale ending to Emma’s career.

There will be more hunts from the chair, but if never a bird is shot, I will always, always, have the memories from this absolutely glorious day.





Joe
Gundogdoc.com

What a remarkabl wonderful story and photographs.... and testament to terrific owners!!!!
This is bringing tears to my eyes! You should definitely submit this to ACC bulletin and Retriever Journal!!!!!

Juli

You are my hero. You are a true dog trainer. Your one person I would like to meet and talk dog talk to.

Although this diease truly is heartbreaking, it is great to see you get your dog out one last time. Great story and pics. Thanks for sharing.

Words cannot describe your post and pics!!!!!


Paul

Ok, I am the biggest sap.. I have to say and this story brought me to tears (while I'm at work no less).

This was simply wonderful!

Joe -- Thanks for posting the story! It does bring tears to my eyes. Just got back hunting with Babe and Rocky, on Tiger's hunting grounds, and it is hard not to think of Tiger hunting in these fields.

Thanks
Billy

Thanks for sharing her hunt with us, Doc. And for your DM work.

Joe,

Thanks for sharing your story and photos about your prairie hunt with Emma........Both you and Emma are an inspiration.

Norene S.

Wow is almost all I can muster through the tears and heartwrenching feelings. I hope you do get out and best of luck for many more birds out in the field over the wheelchair. What an amzing story.

Thanksgiving hunt
another of Emma's great adventures....you rock Emma and Joe!!!!!

Juli

Wow..Dr. Spoo really has a way with words. He manages to turn a heartbreaking situation into a really heartwarming adventure. Hugs and prayers for Emma, Joe and his family during this holiday season.

Thanks all for your kind words.

Emma has actually been great (relative I suppose) for the last couple of weeks. Two weekends ago we hunted in the snow, which I haven't posted yet, and managed to miss a rooster she flushed from some thick cover. After making all of the unfortunate arrangements after Thanksgiving it looks like she will be with us for the Holidays and stubborn as ever.

Thanks again,
Joe

Joe,
I've been following Emma's story. I imagine she's taught you a great deal about what's important in life. I hope that if I'm ever faced with physical hardship in my life that I will remember Emma and her attitude. Thanks for sharing her story and photos. BTW, I love your website. Enjoy your holidays with Emma and the rest of the pack.
gina

Thanks for the story, it brought tears to my eyes and I pray they find a cure for DM so others don't have to go through what you and the others have gone through with a DM dog. My heart goes out to you and Emma.