NEWS
Trouper's last litter
Two weeks after Trouper was put to sleep his last litter was born.
There were 3 dogs and 3 bitches.
Four pups were solid chocolate and two were chocolate & tan just like Trouper.
We have kept these two, a dog and a bitch named Breezybrook Trouper's Quest (Trouperson) and
Breezybrook Trouper's Dream ( Dream)
Trouper's legacy lives on through these pups and the many others he has produced in his lifetime.
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RIP TROUPER
On Sunday 10th April Breezybrook Trouper was put to sleep aged only 9yrs. This was a devastating day for me as to date he has been the best dog I have ever had and I believe will ever have. Although he was a great working dog he was also a great friend and very much my favourite.
In the last two weeks of the shooting season I noticed he had a small lump on his gum, so off to the vet, where it was removed and sent for testing, the result came back, Malignant Melanoma.
I was informed that without treatment he would have 2 – 4 months to live.
We discussed at length what could be done without putting him through misery and decided to bring in a drug from USA called Oncept which prolongs life up to 4 times without side affects.
With the delay in getting a government licence he started radiotherapy to control the melanoma until the Oncept vaccine arrived.
The day after his fourth and last radiotherapy he was placed at Crufts in the gamekeepers classes, thus showing that he was happy and in good form and looking good!
The Oncept vaccine course started, one injection every 14 days with four injections in total.
The vaccine should start to work when the course is completed.
But with five days to go before the last injection, I had to make the awful decision. Although he looked well, he had heavy breathing and did not want to lie down to sleep, preferring to try to stay sitting, he was tired as he couldn’t get any proper sleep, the vets said they thought he had developed fluid in the lungs.
It was a devastating blow as we were so close to completing the vaccine course, I made the decision…
The sun was shining, Trouper walked out in the fields with his mum and daughter and his tail wagged.
We returned to the garden where I hugged and kissed him but knew that this was right for him as his chest heaved. The vet put him to sleep in the sunshine of the garden and he flopped into my arms. The pain and tiredness gone forever. He is buried in the field next to Suzi
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Crufts 2011
Trouper was awarded 3rd place in the Gamekeepers Any Variety Sporting Spaniel.
He also gained Reserve in the Any Variety Sporting Spaniel Working Gundog.
The Gamekeepers Team comprised of Trouper, his dam Chocolate (now 13 yrs) and his son Sox and his daughter Frolic. They were placed 2nd.
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Shooting Season 2010/11
Another successful season for Trouper who picked up on every shoot day on our home shoot, bashing through some of the heaviest bramble to find many an elusive runner.
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Trouper pups born at Breezybrook
On 24/7/10 Quarhouse Inspiration of Breezybrook (Nova) whelped 3 puppies sired by Trouper. I have been looking forward to this litter as I think the pairing of these two dogs will be great. Troupers drive with Nova's style should make a great combination.
The litter comprised of 2 chocolate dogs and 1 chocolate & tan bitch.
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Success at Crufts!
On Sunday 14th March 2010 we set off for Crufts. A dog show,not something we were used to!
Trouper had been entered into the BASC Gamekeepers classes. He was in the Any Variety Sporting Spaniel class and was awarded 3rd place! The prize winners in these classes were judged on conformation and movement and then had to demonstrate retrieving dummies.
It was great to meet so many people who either owned Troupers offspring or dogs bred at Breezybrook and to also meet people who had just come to see the dogs.
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Trouper at Crufts!
Trouper and two of his offspring will be at Crufts on Gundog day, Sunday 14th March 2010.
He will be on the benches around the Game keepers ring, please come along and say hello.
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Oct 09 - Trouper's son Firework Night Sparky who lives in France ran in a field trial with owner Hazel Lyon. It was Sparky's and Hazel's first ever trial. He was only 12 months of age and they took part in a competition called T.A.N (test d'aptitudes naturelles) or Natural Ability Test using live quail.
To Hazel's surprise and delight they took first place. This qualified them for Spaniel Club Francais Final Nationale de Tan (The National Final) On 22/11/09 they made the long journey to the final and were awarded a creditable 4th place.
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Jan 09 - Trouper injured himself whilst picking up. The vets x rayed him all over and could find no bone damage and also confirmed there are no signs of anything like arthritis, so that was all good, but he was far from right, so after further investigation the conclusion was that he had trapped a nerve in his back. So the treatment was several courses of Hydrotherapy with Jenna at Tilbrook Mill. Also physical therapy carried out by Juli Walters of Animal Sports Therapy. The treatment worked wonders and Trouper was back in work in time for the 09/10 shooting season and as enthusiastic as ever! 