It is
with great sadness that I announce the passing of
Cato. He was a great dog and much loved by his
family. He was the high point Chesapeake derby dog
for 2001, with 8 derby points, including a win at
the 2001 ACC National Field Specialty. He was the
2001 winner of the FC/AFC Meg's Pattie O'Rourke Trophy
and the FC/AFC/CFC/CAFC Chesdel Chippewa Chief Trophy.
He was an exciting dog to watch in the field and
it was an honor to work at his side. |
Cato
was first examined by a neurologist at a referral
clinic for a medical work up and a cat scan after
a head injury.
The cat scan showed a lesion, a pocket of fluid
on the left side of the brain. The neurologist's
advice
was to continue Cato's career, as the lesion
was most likely due to the head injury, although
it
could possibly
be a slow growing brain tumor. Cato continued
his field work this winter in Texas, and got a JAM
in the first
all-breed qualifying trial he ran in in March.
However, upon return to Maine in April, he became
disoriented
and confused, and his condition rapidly deteriorated.
On April 12, the painful decision was made to
put
him to sleep. |
|