Gordon setter has a rocky encounter

Meet Kodiak, an active Gordon setter with a heart of rock-solid gold in Virginia.

Nationwide pet insurance member Anette F. got her first Gordon setter several years ago as a nod to her homeland, Norway. Though the breed is actually Scottish, "they're just very popular in Norway," Anette explains. Beloved for their good looks and active lifestyle, this breed was the perfect match for her love of the great outdoors.

Now, Anette’s pack includes two Gordon setters, Kodiak and Alta. Anette says, “I'm very outdoorsy. So I like to go mountain biking with them [and we] go hiking in the mountains. We spend the summers out in Utah—I drive [the dogs] cross country and they absolutely love that.”

Her setters are also great companions during the winter months, when Anette spends her time zipping the trails on the snow. She adds, “I always cross-country skied with them, too. I always wanted a buddy with me, and they're really the perfect animal for that.”

Part of being so outdoorsy involves a good amount of travel. Luckily, Anette’s setters are wonderful companions on the go as well. She continues, “I feel safe driving cross country with them. They do well, and I'm glad they're with me. I don't want to do it by myself.”

Ironically, despite all their outdoor adventuring, it was an incident at home that earned Kodiak a trip to the veterinarian—and this Hambone Award nomination.

What happened?

The incident started with no warning one Sunday morning. Anette remembers, “[Kodiak] went into the bathroom and she vomited. It was just bile so I'm like, ‘Okay maybe she just has some acid reflux.’ I didn't think too much about it, but I kept an eye on her.” Anette took Kodiak for a walk, and she seemed fine. Then, the next morning, she threw up again.

Anette continues, “I could tell that she was uncomfortable, and she started panting a lot. I was thinking to myself, ‘Let me just see if I can check her out [at the veterinarian].’”

She had a sneaking suspicion of what might be going on; five years prior, Kodiak needed to have four rocks removed from her stomach. Though Anette had cleared out all the rocks in her backyard after that incident, she was concerned that Kodiak had somehow found a way to sneak off and snack on more stones.

At the veterinarian's office, the team ran diagnostics to pinpoint what was making Kodiak sick. "I said to the veterinarian, ‘Please don't tell me she ate rocks,’” Anette recalls, “and she's like, ‘Yeah, there are two in there.’”

Luckily, the veterinarian was able to retrieve one of the rocks without major surgery (the other passed out of her system without issue). Kodiak made a complete recovery from her rocky encounter, and Anette received reimbursement for her eligible veterinary expenses*—in addition to the rock itself, which she “gold-plated” with a permanent marker for posterity.

How Nationwide helped

Nobody knows for sure why some pets get hooked on unusual, potentially harmful behaviors. There’s no rhyme or reason for why Kodiak wants to eat rocks, but Anette has made adjustments in their routines to keep her pup safe from her own compulsions (including a soft muzzle for when they go outside). But still, Nationwide has Kodiak covered in case she decides to go back for thirds.*

Anette says, “I've had [pet insurance] for many years, because I've had dogs that have a lot of surgeries over the years. I want to make sure that they are insured because it really helps, especially if you have unforeseen accidents that happen. [Veterinary care] can be extremely expensive—it definitely helps.”

She continues, “I don't think that finances should be anything to hold you back from giving the best care that you can provide for your animal.”