Long overdue update

I haven’t posted anything for awhile, but we had to put Elettra down in June and Lily in September.
We were planning on getting a Spinone pup in a couple of years, but for the first time in thirty years, we were without a pet and the house was too quiet and empty. I put my name on a couple of waiting lists but when we found this female brown roan was available, she was exactly what we wanted and had to have her.
We named her Willow, and she’s from Arkansas. Everything just fell into place when we found out the breeder was making a trip to Idaho. Willow was the last of her litter to go, the runt of the litter, and we fell in love with her at first sight.
She’s as smart as they come, a real snuggler, and has shown very strong hunting instincts.
Welcome, Willow.

Lily November 2011 – September 16, 2023

It was with heavy hearts that we said goodbye to Lily this morning, holding and comforting her as she peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Lily came into our lives nearly 12 years ago when our youngest daughter saw a posting in the local animal shelter.
Someone had dropped off a litter of 11 puppies assumed to be about 2 months old. They were listed as German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees but a facebook viewer
who raised Anatolian Shepherds said she was Anatolian.
We picked up Lily from the shelter and treated her for Parvo, but she pulled through.
Lily stayed with us for about three months before going home to our daughter and son-in-law.
We had Elettra at the time and both she and Mia adopted Lily as their own – later in life, Lily returned
the favor by protecting Elettra on some of our walks when off-leash dogs charged. In one case, body-slamming a shepherd and sending it packing.
Lily and Doc were best friends and the moment Lily arrived for a visit, the two would race outside and begin rough-housing.
Lily came to stay with us permanently about 2 1/2 years ago. After Elvis passed away, we inherited Elettra who was her constant companion, and Lily never seemed to recover from Elettra’s passing.
Yesterday, we returned from a wedding to find Lily in distress – lethargic, uncomfortable, and turning to us for comfort or reassurance. Whether she had a heart attack, her organs began shutting down, or a large tumor she had that was too risky for operation, she stopped eating and we knew the time had come to set her free.
Lily was a wonderful, protective companion who loved her family to the utmost. You leave a big hole in our hearts.
Run free Lily-Bear.

Elettra Del Subasio May 15, 2010 – June 21, 2023.

This morning, I sat caressing Elettra, one of the most loving and gentle souls, as she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Elettra was perfectly fine Monday morning when I went to work, but that evening I came home to find her staggering and having difficulty walking. I took her to an emergency vet that’s open 24/7, who diagnosed her with vestibular disease and sent us home with medication.
Tuesday Elettra had stopped eating and began losing the use of her back legs. I called our regular vet who couldn’t see her until this morning. She slept all day Tuesday, and I used a towl as a sling to move her from one spot to another, or outside when she needed.
This morning, she lost all strength and couldn’t do more than sit up for brief periods of time so I carried her when she wanted to be moved to the sofa or couch, and I carried her out to the truck for her last ride.
Run free, my little huntress.

Elettra

Elettra the Lion

Elettra makes her debut as a lion

Elettra’s Final Hunt

I have officially retired my little huntress following our Pheasant hunt a week ago Friday. Elettra has done fine on our two short grouse hunts but her hips gave out on her soon after we began Pheasant hunting. As our vet explained it, in her excitement to go hunting, she probably overdid it and then when the adrenaline rush ended, her hips gave out.

We had walked a quarter mile along an access road at the nearby WMA when suddenly her back end gave out and having no other option, I carried her most of the way back to the truck. I would carry her as far as I could, rest for a bit, then pick her up and do it all over again. We had nearly reached the truck when several other hunters arrived, an elderly couple and a young man serving in the Army.

Using a towel, they slung it under Elettra’s waist to support her and we were able to walk her the remaining 100 yards or so to the truck. The young man then picked her up and put her in the truck for me.

As they were leaving, I rolled down the windows but then the truck wouldn’t start. The battery was dead and I had left my cell phone at home. The nearest farm house was a couple of miles away and I had walked about half the distance when another hunter arrived, drove me back to the truck and jump started it.

We took Elettra to the vet, still supporting her with a sling. The vet took x-rays and found she has some arthritis in her lumbar, but the arthritis in her hips is extensive. They took a blood sample to determine whether she could take an increased dosage of medicine, and determining she could, upped her medication.

While she can no longer hunt, the vet recommended that we continue exercising her which we have done with short walks. It took Elettra several days to recover, and when I took her in for a checkup this past Friday, the vet was surprised at how well she was doing. Regardless, her hunting days have come to an end.

A Smoky Grouse Hunt

Even now, nothing excites Elettra more than the sight of Hunter Orange. When she saw me pull out my hunting vest, she knew what was going on and marched along at my side until I loaded her into the 4Runner. Smoke from nearby fires was heavy in the air but cleared a little as we made our way farther into the mountains.

A smokey sunrise

At the age of 12, hunts by my side until a scent draws her out. I’m good with that since this is undoubtedly her last hunting season. I pick the easiest routes, help her over obstacles, and twice helped her out of the small creek where she got bogged down in the mud.

Resting Elettra during the hunt

I rested her five minutes for every twenty we hunted, but it wasn’t until we were returning to the truck that she took advantage of it and sat down to rest. We hunted slowly for her benefit, and I realized – for the first time in a very long time – how much more aware you become, and how much quieter you become.

Elettra on point

Elettra became birdy several times as we crossed the scent of a grouse but it wasn’t until we were returning to the truck that we came across Ol Ruffie.

Elettra went on point and moments after I took her picture, saw the bird moving in the brush along the creek. Not knowing which way it was going – up or down the creek – I allowed Elettra to work the scent. Ruffed grouse here are particularly difficult to flush, preferring to sneak through the brush rather than taking flight.

Having been brushed and bathed, Elettra is no doubt dreaming of birds

Elettra tracked the grouse up the creek, but in the end it had outsmarted us and snuck off into the brush-covered hillside.

Elettra’s Pre-Hunt Checkup

Elettra asking to leave before the vet returns

At the age of 12, this will most likely be Elettra’s final hunting season.

For years I’ve taken my dogs to the vet for a pre-hunt checkup and last year, it was recommended that Elettra hunt no more than 2 hours at a time. And that in easy hunting terrain. This year the vet recommended no more than one hour of hunting, although I can increase her time a little if she’s up to it.

Physically, Elettra is in good shape for her age – her heart sounds good, weight is good, and we’ll get her blood work results next week – but there is no overcoming age and arthritis. Yet as long as my little huntress shows a passion for hunting, I’ll do my best to accommodate her and hopefully, do a better job of rewarding her with more birds.

Day Trip to Mackay Reservoir

Lily retrieving a stick

Friday we took a day trip to Mackay Reservoir in search of new camping areas and give the dogs some much needed outdoor time.

Cooling off in Mackay Reservoir

After checking out the campgrounds at the reservoir and letting the dogs wade for a bit, we found a very nice campground.

Cliffs where we picknicked

Surrounded by trees and bordering the river, the campground was without any amenities and therefore, very few campers.

Well traveled road but few campers

The third camping area we explored sat in a beautiful, rugged and narrow canyon. Like the previous campground, this area was without amenities. Our guess is that this area is used primarily by hunters and a perfect place to get away.

Wading in a stream full of pan-sized trout

After a picnic lunch we let the dogs wade in the stream. I saw a number of pan-size trout darting about as the dogs waded, so I’m sure the fishing would be good.

More mountains

Preparing for a New Home

Thursday we took Elettra and Lily with us to check on the progress of our new home. We’ve been checking on it frequently and often take the dogs, mainly to let them wade in the little lake across the street from our new home.

We decided to let them explore the house so as to become familiar with it before we actually move, as well as becoming comfortable using the dog door.

Afterwards, we took them wading in the little lake across the street, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

A Walk in the Woods

Wild flowers everywhere

We’re not the only ones getting cabin fever living in this 1-bedroom townhouse.

Nice view

Lily has been showing signs of needing to get out for more than our short walks, so we loaded the guys in the 4Runner and went in search of new places to camp.

Elettra and Lily loved wading in the tiny stream

Today’s trip took us to the Idaho/Montana border where we had a picnic lunch and let the guys run for a bit.

Trees everywhere

It wasn’t a lot of exercise but mental stimulation did a lot of good.

Enjoying the walk