What a terrible day today... my first day as a hunting guide, guiding pheasant hunters for an outfitter, he gives me 2 dogs to run for the day, a Britney named Scotch and a Black Lab named Rip. 20 minutes into the hunt this morning, Rip collapses, gets up and is dragging his rear end on the ground. We get him back to the truck, hes lethargic, won't drink (very hot here today) and is panting/wheezing like hes about to die.Packed up and headed for the vet. 15 minutes after we get to the vet, Rip dies of a stroke.

The clients were understanding, they only got to shoot 10 of their 50 birds, but were very good about it, and even still gave me a bit of a tip. I feel terrible for the Outfitter as he's had this dog for 9 years. He was an old dog, and I'm sure it wasn't my fault, but I still feel pretty damn bad about it.