Bird Dogs & Training  |  10/25/2013

Our Busy Izzy Rests


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By Meredith St.Pierre (Editor’s Note – Meredith is the wife of Bob St.Pierre, the regular author of this Blog)

It may come as a surprise for readers of this blog and FAN Outdoors radio listeners to learn that when Bob and I got married 8 years ago, I gave his Groom’s Toast. Bob was overcome with emotion and love for his family, much like he is now. So for the second time in our marriage, I’m going to do my best to convey his thoughts as he struggles to find words to write worthy of the bird dog he so dearly loved.

On Saturday, Bob and I lost our youngest pup, Izzy, in a freak accident while she was running through the woods. She collided with an oak log, ruptured her carotid artery and was gone from us in only a matter of minutes. There was nothing that could have been done to save her; even her skid plate was no match for the force of impact. Her loss has shaken us to our cores and left us with an unimaginable void. She was only 1 ½ years old; we thought she had thousands of birds yet to point. We weren’t ready to let her go; no dog owner ever is, but this was especially early and cruel.

Izzy always caught the camera, like this photo from a Gander Mountain photo shoot

Izzy always caught the camera, like this photo from a Gander Mountain photo shoot

We could go over Izzy’s best hunts, our favorite memories or what we’ll miss most about her, but the truth is, we’re not alone. Izzy’s loss has shown me once again that the hunting community is a special one. The outreach and support we’ve had has been tremendous. The stories of men who hunted behind our Izzy help us to remember her. Hearing that others thought she was a gem of dog, help too. It also helps to talk about her tornado of energy and limitless loving nature. But more so, it helps to know others have felt our pain and returned to the field behind future canine best friends.

We know life will go on, but a part of our hearts was lost in the Wisconsin grouse woods on Saturday.Top Gun Yzerman “Izzy” St.Pierre was a great dog and we’ll miss her spunk, restless energy, joy and love. To honor her memory we’ll return to the field and to the woods. We’ve got birds to find and she wouldn’t want it any other way. She died doing what she loved, and we’ll cherish her forever.

Thank you for your support. Give your bird dog a little extra scratch under their chin tonight in honor of our “Busy Izzy,” she always loved that spot.

- – Meredith St.Pierre, to see more photos of our shorthairs, Izzy & Trammell, follow @mstpete on Instagram

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.  Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre and listen to Bob and Billy Hildebrand every Saturday morning on FAN Outdoors radio on KFAN FM100.3.

Izzy was always excited to add a rooster to Bob's game vest

Izzy was always excited to add a rooster to Bob’s game vest