Thanks for the kind words from everyone.
Steve...her sire passed away suddenly at a young age also, I believe he was around 9. She was a carbon copy of him in size and color, probably 1/3 larger in height and body weight than all the males that came from her litter. Any genetic problems would have certainly been passed along to her. Leads me to believe there may have been a heart problem. She was stretched out in her box, not curled up at all. I have to think she died from a bad ticker.
Redhorse,
Again, I am sorry about the dog. I have 2 GSP that are over 11 years old. the male can't walk anymore and the female has had 2 cancer operations within the last two years. It is really going to be hard having to put them down when the time comes.
The female is so smart, you can give her something and tell here to take in the house and give it to mommy,(my wife) and she does just that. I send her to the house for something to drink, and she will get me a bottle of seltzer.
The other 3 dogs, well they wouldn't bother giving me the time of day, unless we went out bird hunting.
Every dog that I have had since moving to WV that had passed, have been buried here om my property with a marker.
Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm