Lavon.
You may be right. I figure that is a chance we all take hunting dogs.
I have been fortunate so far that I have not lost a dog, probably just have not met the right hog yet.
One RCD that I hunt behind occasionally was just retired at 12 years old, been doing it his whole life. Granted he is probably the exception and not the rule, but it can happen. He has been put back together several times.