In Loving Memory of Posey Bethke, aka DC Doxikota Pick A Posey MW, TD, JE
March 27, 2004 - June 14, 2008
 l-r; Posey and her buddy, Charm
Posey had to be one of the happiest, funniest little dogs I have ever known. She was always this busy little 8.5 pound wonder and would give this cute lil bark to get her mom's attention...her mama Pam taught it to her, truly, and it got annoying on occasion, but we would give back all of the 'annoyances' to have her back safe and healthy, in Pam's arms. She had the best nose, accurate and patient even at a very young age (she earned her TD at 6 months). She loved most everyone, but you couldn't push to get to know her if she was scared and her mom wasn't around...she'd give you a scream that would make your hair stand on end! Go Posey, you let those strangers know not to be so FRESH! She had the best tail wag on earth; her whole rear would wag for you. And she was the best bed buddy ever, always there to keep her mama warm.
Posey and my DC Maximus had three puppies together in two litters: Noodle, Jay and Klaus. Noodle had his Tracking Dog title at 7 months and his Junior Earthdog title before a year. Jay finished his Championship in a heartbeat at 10 months. Klaus is really too busy with his little family, racing around the globe to Mexico and whatnot, to have time for any titles. And of course there is Posey's last child, Bugs, whose sire is FC Forrest. Bugs is with Pam and working on his titles. More important than titles, though, are how these Posey children are so loving and loved by their owners. It's a testament to Posey and Pam's way of raising little wee ones.
Here is what happened in Pam's own words:
As you know we go to Lake Poinsette every weekend. We take all the dogs. I take a few swimming, mostly
Hailey [toller], Posey [mw], and Sally [mw]. Posey has her
own little tiny bumper she likes to get, she will even jump off the side of the
dock to get it. Cindy was with me, swimming Trap [chessie] and Sparrow aka Larry [parson russell]. Lee [Bethke] was on the
dock also tinkering with his boat as we had just come in from a ride. We
threw the bumpers for the big dogs and then I threw the little one for
Posey. I only throw hers about 5ft from shore. She jumped in the
water to get hers and was swimming back. I took my eyes off of her for a
matter of seconds to see that the bigs dogs were coming in. When I looked
back Posey had gone under. Cindy and I worked for a long time trying to
get her back. We both know how to do CPR. We just couldn't bring
her back. It is just so painful for me to talk about it. I'm
telling you so I don't have to talk about it in person since I totally lose
it. Time will help but you know I thought Posey was the most perfect
little wire in the world (at least to me). Things happen very fast and an activity that Posey had been doing
since she was a puppy took her life. She LOVED to swim and get the
bumper. I think I will try the life jackets they make for dogs to see how
well they will work for them.
The big thing I think we all can think about and learn from is that Posey may have had trouble since the water was so cold. I talked to Pam's vet and she said it couldn't be proven, but she was of the mind that Posey got hypothermic, her muscles seized and she got disoriented, causing her to drown. She said the lakes in SD were still quite cold; in the 55 degree range. It would also explain why Pam and Cindy couldn't bring her back, even though it had been a matter of a few seconds. These guys act so big and tough, it's easy to forget they are TINY dogs. Water that is as warm as 60 degrees and under still has the ability to throw a little dog into hypothermia and once that happens, it's easy for them to drown and not come back. Most of our dogs like to swim or if we've never taken them swimming, they certainly have the propensity for it. We have to remember water temperature most of all when we let them swim. And of course, a life jacket won't hurt.
I am not advocating no swimming. My dogs love it too much to deny them. However, I am advocating SAFE swimming. Be aware of water temperature. If the water is cold enough it would cool off an 150 pound adult, think of how much it would cool a 6-13 pound dog! If they aren't strong swimmers or you might have to look away for a second, invest in doggie life vests. I think they would be worth every penny. Even if Posey had become hypothermic, if she had a life jacket on she might not have swallowed water or at least not as much. I know I was shocked when I talked to Pam's vet and she talked to me about hypothermia in 55 degree water. I never really thought about it. Hopefully, people will read this and think about it and be careful. I thought that I have always been careful and smart when my dogs swim, but after this, I realized I have simply been lucky.
My love, and the love of many, go with Posey. She was one in a million.
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