Tribute to a hound

I've just returned from the vet's office and am sad. Today Fd Ch Sourland Mt Sheri Hill was euthanized.

I was not her first love. I was her caretaker and the guy who enabled to carry our her first love which was trailing rabbits. I've had beagles for more than 65 years and have competed at field trials for 55 years and have never had a dog with more of a 'never give up' attitude. She was fifth generation homebred and gave me many thrills. She finished her championship in a limited number of trials in the '04 season. In '05 she won the Purina award for the most consistent futurity brace beagle. That autumn she won the National Brace Championship and CJBC all Fd Ch trial.

She was bred twice and I did not get anything exceptional out of her. One male made his championship, but he was not of his mother's caliber. Around '07 she developed chronic dry eye and an acute pain syndrome. In spite of many $ spent and many tests the only diagnosis was the generic 'autoimmune' disease. Needless to say this was the end of her career as a brood b*tch. I've managed to keep her happy and comfortable by boosting her Thyroid level and using Rymadyl for pain control. Lately she has just been surviving - life is no longer fun for her. I know I made the right decision, but Good Bye is so hard.

Sher thanks for the memories. At the final futurity event she was solidly defeated in first series by a more powerful line running hound, but she hung in and got what she could. Second series the hound that had defeated her did not perform well. Sher got a tallyho'd rabbit that ran about 100 ft down a path, made a left hand turn, and then a quick right hand turn into a thicket of green briars. Mentally I said, "Sher get to those green briars, and you will win this thing." She did. At the National Brace Championships she had a fair first series run and was brought back fourth high. After second series they gave her a shot at the high hound - a more capable power hound. Sher hung in there and when given the opportunity turned the rabbit into a blackberry bramble thicket and hung her bracemate out to dry.

Sher, for all that you have given me, I owed you this tribute.

She sounds like an exceptional animal, a perfect example of what the expression "heart of a champion" is all about. She was lucky to have had such a caring owner, one who could appreciate her fine qualities and who was willing to do so much for her. Very sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry SL. Saying goodbye is the hardest, even when we know it is time. Sounds like she had an amazing life with you, and that you have many wonderful memories of her.

Once in a while, if we're lucky, we're touched by an amazing animal in our lives. It's wonderful while it lasts, but goodbye sucks.

Aww, so sorry for your loss, sourland. What a wonderful tribute.

So sorry for your loss. Been there too many times myself. Take care.

Well, today I lost another companion - Fd Ch Sourland Mt Berta Brown was euthanized. Just 9 months younger than Sheri, she has been fighting cancer for about 9 months. I may have kept her alive longer than I should have, and I apologized to her for that. Just good enough to make her championship her outstanding quality was her happy, upbeat personality - she was always fun. She raised one litter of pups and produced nothing exceptional so I never bred her again. She is buried next to her mother, Fd Ch Sourland Mt Betty Brown (one of my three all time favorites) and her half sister Fd Ch Sourland Mt Sheri Hill. I will miss her and her great personality.


That's it for the 'old' dogs. Hopefully I won't have to deal with this for quite a while.

I'm so sorry SL. You gave these doggies an awesome life. Don't be too hard on yourself for the euthanasia decision. It is so very hard to know when is the right time and I'm sure you gave her much comfort during her last days.

I'm sorry to hear that another of your dogs has crossed the rainbow bridge. You sent her there out of love; you kept her here as long as you did out of love - I don't see that you have anything to apologize for, either way.

One of the hardest parts about owning animals is that their lives are so brief. Though they must step out of our lives, they never quite lose their places in our hearts. Hoping that there are more awesome dogs in your future.

Once again, so sorry for your loss. Wonderful memories remain with you for ever.