My old buddy passed away today. I

was there the day he was born and

I was there today. He was loyal and

honest. He never lied and he

always, without fail, gave THE best

advice. He and I spent many hours,

days, weeks and months and years

together in the wilds of the

Allegheny and the mountains of

Maine. He seldom complained

although the last few months were hard on him.

I'm grateful he didn't suffer and he

wasn't sick. I'm glad he didn't

suffer through a long cold winter

just to go in the spring.

His name, Kipper. Little Toby Creek Kipper to be exact.

He lived 14 years, 8 months and 25 days.

Kipper was loyal to the end.

He love me and I loved him back.

We will surely miss him around here.

Kipper was a big beagle with a big voice. There was no mistaking his tongue on a cottontail rabbit or snowshoe hare. Everyone loved his big bold voice.

Kipper was gentle as gentle can be. I never heard him say a cross word.

He had what most beaglers would call a "cold nose". Probably a little too cold. He had a difficult time getting started in his career as a rabbit dog. As a puppy and teenager he would chase just about anything with a scent including deer. With time he learned and I learned. He could work up a scent from the coldest of tracks. When I learned he soon learned. When I heard him working and working a scent and getting further and further away with the remainder of the pack not joining in I knew and correction cured his vices. In his peak when Kipper spoke everybody listened and it wouldn't be long before a rabbit or hare would be up.

He was loyal protector. We unloaded a pack of hounds one morning in the dark on top of a coyote. A dog fight commenced immediately. Kipper was the only hound with any wounds. He had protected his harem. On another day a friend with his pack was late to the party. When the friends beagles approached Brenda, Kipper was ready to stand fast to protect her. I witnessed this on numerous occasions.

He possessed great desire and brains to go along. He never gave up or gave in on a hunt. On his finale outing Kipper was in the brush hunting and tonguing and trying although he couldn't move too fast. His nose never quit but his body did.