07/07/2026
This is a post no one wants to make.
We lost our Sophie on Sunday. She had transitional cell carcinoma β a tumor wrapped around her bladder. Late last week we noticed she was urinating more frequently, then having trouble going and by Sunday she was unable to go at all. We take some solace in knowing she didnβt show signs of pain or endure prolonged suffering.
Her final morning was spent at the lake. She chased squirrels around the woodpile and took a long solo swim like nothing was wrong, right before I left to take her to the ER vet. Her final moments were surrounded by the four of us and lots of love. When the vet brought her into the room after her scans, she walked in, looked at each of us individually, got love from everyone, then laid down and put her head in my lap as I sat on the floor. Itβs like she knew what was happening.
Sophie will forever be missed and is not replaceable (donβt tell Poppy). We have memories of hunting across the country and in Canada β ducks retrieved, pheasants pointed, grouse cornered, yard rabbits chased she did it all. She and I shared plenty of deep conversations in the front seat of the truck on the way to our various destinations and she was a perfect listener. Sophie was the best hunting dog Iβve ever had, but more than that, she was a wonderful member of our family. We could not have asked for a more kind and gentle dog.
We have thousands of photos of our main girl and more memories than we deserve. The time spent with our furry friends is never long enough. She will forever be missed.