Ch Beard's War Wagon
Our wonderful boy, Ch Beard's War Wagon, aka "Tanker" left us on Wed., May 7, 2008. He was 13 years and 7 months old. Tanker was sired by our CH Beard's Pancho Villa, and his dam was CH Ambrican Nicolette. Tanker was always a clown, both in and out of the show ring, and gave us many years of pleasure. He also sired several litters, and still has descendents in the show ring--he is the grand sire of our Skalawag's Cherokee Rose, and Skalawag's Dark Angel (Miss Hattie). He also sired at least two champions. Tanker finished his Championship with five majors--even though he didn't need the last one--we kept him in the show that day to hold the major! He just couldn't seem to lose that day, even though I stacked him crooked, and the judge came over and straightened him up! He also was famous at the vet's for eating rocks. The poor boy just couldn't seem to leave them alone--he had at least three surgeries for rock removal, and finished his championship in between surgeries. He also was known to grab hot dogs from people at ringside as he was going around the ring--without even breaking stride! Tanker had to have his spleen removed about three years ago--he had several tumors in it. Fortunately, they were not malignant. In the last couple of years, he had problems off and on with his digestive tract, but managed to pull out of the problems and do well. However, about two months ago, he again stopped eating, lost weight, and spent some time with the vet getting his appetite back. He just never fully regained what he had lost, and finally quit eating completely. Bob and I loved him too much to watch him just fade away, so we had him euthanized on Wednesday. He was a wonderful dog, and we will miss him. Kathryn & Robert Beard

Cloe, Nov 11, 2007
In December of 2003, I was rescued by a beautiful tri-colored basset by the name of Cloe (#544) It was love at first sight for both of us, and Cloe & I became one. She was quite the girl, full of herself and full of love, there was not a mean bone in her body. I was amazed at the major role she took in my family. Cloe, better known as “Cloelove” by all who knew her and everybody in my town who knew her, (town is 6 blocks by 6 blocks). She was always ready for another adventure, and we had several. She loved to ride on the tractor, the big truck, or just the pickup, she would even sit on the seat and cruised town on my Harley with me. She loved to go. She loved to eat and never missed a snack, she even ate watermelon by volume. She made all the baseball games and was a regular at the concession stand. She could give `em “the look” and get a corndog in a heartbeat. Those eyes melted more than just me. I miss the ole bed hog. Life will never be the same without you, my love. Lost Cloelove to cancer 11/11/07 I had her cremated and got her a right fine urn and a pocket urn for me. Ole Cloelove is with me every day, everywhere I go. Great people at www.pinehillpet.com Lost without my Cloelove, Jessie James Denton Terral, Oklahoma

Pumpkin 10/22/07
About seven years ago I was fostering for NTBHR and was asked to take care of a sweet girl that someone found wandering around on a golf course. She was being called Bogey and she bonded with my beagle mix and so we decided that she should officially become a member of the family. I adopted her (her tag number was 475) and since she was orange and round and seemed to perk up she I used names starting with a "p" I started calling her Pumpkin. Pumpkin was a real character-never met a stranger and was completely convinced that everyone she came across wanted to stop and visit with her. And most everyone did-neighbors, landscapers, deliverymen they all stopped to pet her and she loved it. Until recently we took daily walks and it was the highlight of her day.One neighbor kept cookies as treats for her so Pumpkin would stop at her house and sit on the driveway until the lady came out with a cookie and a hug. Sadly, she died last weekend of cancer and I miss her terribly but will always remember all of the joy she brought. I have attached a photo of Pumpkin doing another of her favorite things-lounging. Donna Howard

Bailey 7/12/07
It's been a very sad day around here. Today we decided to send Bailey to the Rainbow Bridge. She had a great long life (she just turned 13 earlier this month) but her body just gave out. Her last 9 years were with us. She was NTBHR #223 and our first BH adopted from NTBHR, back in 1998. She was 4 years old and an owner surrender from a couple who had just had a baby. She and the baby did not get along. How lucky we were that it did not matter to us how she got along with kids. It wasn't that she did not like kids, but more that she did not like being surprised and kids have a way of sneaking up on sleeping dogs to pet them. We didn't mind that, we just learned to be sure she was awake before we touched her. She came to us with full AKC papers and champion blood lines from a well respected breeder in Arizona (not that we could care), but she lived her life like a true champion. Her name was Fancy Rea, but that just didn't fit her, so we changed it to Bailey (she was a red & white and her red was so light it looked like Bailey's Irish Cream). Boy did we ever pick an appropriate name as she lived up to every bit of her Irish name. She was a true red headed Irish bitch. She was born to be a queen and never let anyone think otherwise. Let me tell you, she was very vocal about letting both 4 leggers and 2 leggers know she was the queen. She was the leader of our pack and will be greatly missed. Poor Roscoe is just lost right now. Of course the youngsters, Millie & Ellwood haven't got a clue. It will be a quiet night around here.....too quiet. Karen and furbabies Bailey (ATB 7/12/07), Roscoe, Millie & Elwood

Buddy 6/18/07
MAY I GO May I go now? Do you think the time is right? May I say goodbye to pain filled days and long restless nights? I have lived my life and done my best, an example, I tried to be. So can we take that step beyond and set my spirit free? I did not want to go at first; I fought with all my might. But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light. You know it is part of God's great plan, which makes it difficult to stay. But I will try for you, as best I can to live for just one more day. To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears. I know you are sad and afraid, because I see your tears. I will not be far, I promise that, and hope you will always know that my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go. Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you, too. That is why it is hard to say goodbye and end this life with you. So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say, because you care so much for me, you will let me go today. -author unknown He left us much in the same fashion as when he found us; no fanfare, no bells, no whistles, he seemed to know that he was going home much as he knew he was home the day he walked through our front door as a foster on November 1, 2000. Buddy left this earthly existence very peacefully wrapped in my arms with Gaylon stroking his head. I hope tonight he is feasting on steak at the Bridge with an appetite that is enormous and never ending. I know that releasing him from his earthly container that would no longer cooperate is the kindest love gift of all. I just wish I didn't hurt so much. Rest in peace my dear, sweet Buddy. You were loved and you loved in return. We can ask no more than that. Cathi