Photo of Justin and Hunter - Sept. 2012
Our sweet, 13 year old beagle Hunter passed away on Friday, so today's post is a tribute to her:
In June of 1999 our son Justin, who was 9 years old at the time, decided that he wanted a beagle. Mike worked with a guy who raised beagles, and he had an 8 week old female beagle that was the only survivor of a litter born in April 1999. We brought her home, Justin named her Hunter, and she became his faithful companion for the next 13 years.
For the first few years of her life, she was a digger...especially after it rained! Mike would jokingly call her the "Ditch Witch", and considered renting her out for digging purposes to bring in a little extra income - ha! ha! She had a weird quirk of loving to lay in my large flower pots on the patio. She would curl herself up into a ball, on top of the flowers and plants, and snooze peacefully there for hours. She would also "stalk" the birds that would flock around my bird feeder, and would try to launch a sneak attack upon any that would land on the ground for the spilled birdseed...never catching one, but sure trying time after time! Such a silly dog!
During the past year her fur had turned more white and her eyesight and hearing were about gone, so the rabbits that live under our garden shed would hop freely around our back yard while Hunter slept in the shade under the tree. It was so funny to see the rabbits playing in the yard while a "known" rabbit dog was asleep in the sun just a few feet from them! She had slowed down tremendously, a little shakey when she walked and sleeping most of the time, so we knew that we probably didn't have too much longer with her. Justin would make daily stops at our house on his way home from work to check on Hunter, scooping her up in his arms and holding her while they sat in a chair on the shady patio. Upon coming home from work on Friday, we found her in her favorite napping spot on the patio, where she had passed away in her sleep sometime during the day. We laid her to rest under the tree in our back yard where she loved to nap in the sun.
So, here's to Hunter...a sweet, gentle, loyal and faithful family companion; the special friend who grew up with a little boy who is now a young man, and who loved you so dearly...rest in peace knowing that you were an important part of our family and that you will be missed greatly!
Blessings,
Awe...I am so sorry Becky. My thoughts go to you and your family during this sad time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tammy! Special dogs like Hunter don't come along very often, so we were very blessed to have her for 13 years. :)
DeleteI have tears in my eyes...those special dogs are priceless! May she rest in peace knowing how much she was loved and how much joy she brought to your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ann. :)
DeleteOh Becky, my heart goes out to you, Justin, and Mike. I actually am all teary eyed as well. That was a beautiful write up (would make for a touching journaling spot on a scrapbook page dedicated to Hunter). Sending a big hug your way! Losing a close pet(friend/companion) is really hard!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Justine...Hunter was a very special member of our family. I have made several scrapbook pages about her...she was such a funny little dog and always up to something, so her antics made for great humorous layouts! I will definitely have to do a rememberance page about her too. :)
DeleteVery sorry to hear about Hunter...I've got the tears going now too. Great dedication page...please tell Justin I send my sympathy. It is always hard losing a loved one.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stacie for your kind words. She was a fun and sweet little dog who we loved dearly. :)
DeleteSincerest condolences. Dogs are such wonderful creatures - true gifts from God and such an integral part of our lives and families.
ReplyDeleteThank you, John...she was truly a gift to us, especially Justin who adored her. She had been his constant companion since he was 9 years old. When he moved into his apartment he wasn't able to take her with him, but he came by almost daily to spend time with her. :)
DeleteOh Becky, I'm so sorry to hear of Hunter's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Mike and Justin during this time. You wrote a beautiful tribute to her. I agree with the others, some day it would make great journaling on a page all about her.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gloria. Hunter was such a sweetie...I highly recommend a beagle as the perfect dog for a little boy! (Not sure if you have a dog, but if you ever consider getting one for your son, a beagle is a sweet, fun, loyal, and gentle dog for a child.)
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