Our trainer called on Feb. 28 and asked us to look at a photo he had e-mailed us.

Dixie's posture seemed wrong and she was squinting in the sunlight. I told him to take her to the vet. He did so right away, but by the time they arrived, her symptoms were gone.

Her temp was normal as was the blood work. There was a slight redness of throat and she was given a vitamin shot. The next day, she appeared to be fine. The trainer worked with her a little and she did a nice job for him. That night, she seemed tired and was bloated and had gas. He took her to the vet in the morning. She had a slight elevation in temperature, but nothing major. She was given a penecillin shot and the trainer was told to rest her and bring her back in the morning for a recheck. The next morning, she was very lethargic. She was taken to the vets early in the morning and remained there for the entire day. She passed away around 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 31st. The results from the pathology lab indicated blastomycosis with evident brain involvement as the cause of death.