Growing up, we had a smal lab mix. Ole' Sarge was the best damn squirrel dog a hunter could ask for. He was very patient in the woods, until he saw or heard a bushy tail. He would start a very light whimper. When you shot, he knew by the muzzle direction which way the squirrel was. Many times he caught the squirrel before it hit the ground. He eventually became deaf, I think from muzzle blast.

About 8 years ago, a family friend saw a dog alongside of the road, hit by a car. Sure enough, it was Sarge. He had never left the yard before, even if the gate was open for days. This particular night, he wandered out. He was hit and killed alongside the road less than 1 mile from the house. I guess he knew when it was his time...

We all miss Sarge. It hurt Dad the most. It was only the second time I ever saw him cry (the first was when his father died 20 years earlier).

Love Thy BEST Friend EVERY minute.