I`m saddened by your loss...perhaps more than most. I often do the same on Sunday afternoons. For all of my adult life I have owned, breed and trained English setters. Not only are they great hunters but they are loyal, affectionate, intelligent and beautiful. I have owned many, loved most of them and truly cherished several. The last couple of years has been particularly difficult. Two years ago I was out on a Sunday afternoon walk when one of my dogs encountered a large rattler. Bird dogs will often point rattle snakes which probably represent the greatest threat to a dog in our country. I secured the other dogs but Sally was out of sight. I shot the rattler but did not kill it. Sally rushed in to attack the wounded snake and was bitten on the muzzle. I immediately called the vet who is a close friend and had hunted with Sally. His office was set up like a MASH unit when I arrived ten minutes latter. She was given anti-venon, IV antibiotics and cortizone, all to no avail. Sally died later that night. Sally was one I cherished. She was a daughter of Tekoa Mountain Sunrise,a twelve times champion and Hall of Fame setter. Sally was given to me right by John O`Neal who is in the Field Trial Hall of Fame. John died unexpectedly soon after during heart surgery. Sally had been obtained for breeding purposes but the O`Neals were never able to successfully breed her. Sally turned out to be a wonderful dog. She had extraordinary style, stamina, and intelligence. She had a great nose often finding birds other dogs missed. Above all, she was a loving and gentle friend. Soon after I got her she bore a litter. Out of that litter was born Charlie, probably the best all round dog I have owned in forty years. Sadly, Charlie died last year in his prime of a very rare intestinal abcess. The price we must pay for such wonderful companions is the certain sadness when they are lost to us. We live 70 or 80 years, they live but 10 or 12. The surest cure is to start again. Now Sunday afternoons are spent with Lillie (she really is the best I`ve ever had) and Hardy Boy ( he`s second best).

Walt