Dot's first season was encouraging

It’s been a little more than a year ago now that my dog Ruth died of a brain tumor.

She wasn’t yet three years old, and had already turned into a wonderful bird dog. She had a good nose, was enthusiastic, and retrieved anything I shot. She was also a sweet dog.

I’ve mourned the passing of a lot of dogs, but Ruth’s death was particularly difficult for me. I still don’t understand why. Maybe it was because her passing was so unexpected. Maybe it was because she was going to be my last dog. I’d hoped to hunt her until I was in my eighties, and then we’d both retire to a warm spot...