hole . We were able to scratch out almost a two-man limit . But we ran out of daylight .”
A month later , in October , Cache contracted a blastomycosis infection , which is a fungal infection . Dogs get this from spores in the ground . Unfortunately , there are no vaccines or preventative medicines for it . Geographically , the South is a hot spot for this fungal spore .
“ When they start to show signs and symptoms , it ’ s typically too late ,” Jones said . “ They inhale it , the infection is in their lungs , and it progresses from there . You must know what you ’ re looking for . If there is a mild cough , and you don ’ t pay attention to it , it could be that .”
Once testing concluded and the results confirmed the infection , Jones and his vet started treatment . From early November to Christmas , they addressed the problem with oral medications . But by Christmas , the infection had spread to Cache ’ s brain . They tried IV treatments , but it didn ’ t help .
To make matters worse , the treatment proved continuously more difficult to find . Very little of it is produced , and Jones ’ local vet had to get the medication shipped from an out-of-state clinic . Now the medication is on backorder , and it ’ s unclear when another round of it will reach vet clinics .
“ I can ’ t do anything about my dog passing , but maybe I can put out awareness on early signs and symptoms , especially for marshes and fields where these [ fungal ] hot spots are located ,” Jones said . “ If your dog is going to stay outside , or has a habit to dig , make sure to have a firm foundation between them and the ground , especially if left alone for any amount of time . Maybe use a plastic or concrete kennel floor .”
Jones fondly remembered that Cache carried more than his weight , and he gave everything he had . “ It was much more than just having the dog ,” he said . “ He was my best friend . I didn ’ t do anything without him except go to work . And when it came time to go hunting , he never told me no . He was a well-behaved dog .”
On each hunt , when it was time to leave , and they were picking up decoys , Cache always jumped from his stand , swam to the boat and got in . “ But on this hunt , he did not want to get off his stand ,” Jones said . “ Looking back , it was almost like he knew that was his last time to go hunting . He wasn ’ t ready to leave .”
Jones wasn ’ t ready to see him go , either . But life , and what comes after , waits for no one , man or man ’ s best friend . Life is a gift , and so was Cache .
Cache passed all too soon . He contracted an infection from a fungal spore . His last hunt was an early teal season outing , and it was one of the best hunts Jones and Cache had together .
Matt and Chase
Matt Wettish grew up hunting over spaniels , but it ’ s Labs he loves . Eventually , that led to a life with Chase , who ’ s registered name was Rebel Ridge is Quick to Chase Feathers . While a dog is more than its pedigree , Chase was out of some of the best bloodlines in the history of Labs . And he lived 13 1 / 2 good years of life .
His last hunt was a goose hunt . It was only a two-bird limit , and so extra guys and dogs were in the field . They were rotating in and out of the blinds .
“ We were in the highest point in this area where the geese actually fly up to us ,” Wettish said . “ You can see their backs a lot of the time . If you wing one , he sets his wings , and if he doesn ’ t drop right away , it ’ s a mile-long field down to the bottom .”
One of those birds made it over a third of a mile , but Chase set a course anyway . Wettish walked down to the goose with him . Chase picked up the bird and started the walk back — all uphill .
“ He ’ d pick that bird up and walk 50 to 60 yards ,” Wettish said . “ He ’ d stop and look back at me . I ’ d walk up and go to grab it , and that dog would pick it up and walk another 60 or 70 yards . He would not let me bring that bird back . He walked it all the way back to the blind . That was his last hunt .”
A few months later , Chase suddenly fell ill . He hemorrhaged around his heart . He appeared to have a seizure ,
CLAY JONES
36 SPORTSMENSALLIANCE . ORG