A bad day at Seven Oaks Kennel

KyRidgeRunner · Post by **KyRidgeRunner** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:36 am

As a teenager and young man I used to raise beagle hounds for trialing and hunting, then I got away from it for several years. A while back I decided to get back into it. It was something I loved to do, plus it was something my 14 year old son was interested in (As most fathers and sons do when the kids become teenagers, we seemed to butt heads more and more and this was something we could share without conflict).
I started aquireing dogs from different sources (Since we live in town we had to keep our kennel small) When this spring my son told me he really wanted a blue tick and he wanted to name him Spooky Blue. Well, I asked around our club to see if anyone knew of any blue pups available right now and no one did so I got on the this forum and asked around. I got a response from a sweetheart of a lady way down in Post Hole, Kentucky named Sally Mcgehee (you all know her as Oakhill). She had one left out of a litter but he was sort of a runt. I told my son about him and tried to Discourage him about this puppy. I told him other litters would come along we would get one sooner or later. He wanted to go see this dog. We packed up and drove almost three hours to get there and he was hooked. As far as the pup went he seemed healthy and happy but was just small. My son, Alex, had to have him. He really wanted this one, so we got it.
Growng up this pup this pup was absolutely full of energy. While I was still leary of him because of his small size my son took him on as a pet project. He spent a lot of time with him teaching him simple commands (come when called, stop, down, etc ). He was smart and full of heart. This fall he entered him on the puppy bench at an ARHA trial and he took second place. He was a great looking hound just very small.
Well to keep a long story from getting any longer I'll cut to the chase. Yesterday afternoon Spooky Blue was found dead in a friend of mine's kennel. The details of what happened I will not discuss as there are other people involved, It was just one of those things, Nobody was at fault. When I found out my first thought was "darn, I had $300 tied up in that pup", then I realized I had to tell Alex. When I told him you could see the heartbreak run through his body. He was devistated at the loss of his dog. He tried to be strong about it. We got Spooky a buried him behind our garage last night. He will be missed.
I'm not sure why I am writing this post. I guess we can all remember how we felt at the loss of our first, or our best, or our favorite dog. I remember losses I have had over the years and I know just how my son feels. It tears me up to see him so heartbroken.

Thank you guys for listening to me carry on. I guess I thought it might make me feel better to talk about it, even if it was in an E-Board.

Jeff Pinkerton

WSRandy · Post by **WSRandy** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:33 am

I am sorry to hear about Spooky Blue.

They say all things happen for a reason....I know sometimes we are left wondering what good could have came from something so bad, but sometime, somewhere down the road and with a little luck Alex will see the answer.

Best to you both!

AV Spencer · Post by **AV Spencer** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:51 am

Sorry about your hound.
Your son, right now might be thinking many things, but the desire to have another will come back. I hope you and your son have many happy days in the field in the future.
AV

YGD ( BUNNY BUSTER) · Post by **YGD ( BUNNY BUSTER)** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:51 pm

SURE SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BOYS LOSS. THERE'S NOTHING TO BE SAID TO HELP HIM NOW. IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE HE GETS ANOTHER PUP & GETS INTERESTED AGAIN. THE LORD JUST NEEDED A PUP TO PUT IN HIS PACK & HE PICKED YOUR BOYS. AS FAR AS LISTENING TO YOU CARRY ON, IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY JUST REMEMBER, WE'RE A VERY GOOD AUDIENCE,

BUNNYBUSTER

SmokeEater · Post by **SmokeEater** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:40 pm

Time to give him a hug and tell him you feel his pain..... He probably needs one..

So sorry for your loss....

Kevin D

goes1 · Post by **goes1** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 6:06 pm

Jeff I couldn't say how sorry we are all enough. Please try and find a way to keep both of your spirits up and always remember, the good lord wouldn't have brought you to it if he wasn't willing to get you through it.
You, your son and your entire family will be in our prayers.
God speed to you. Rest in peace Spooky Blue.

Goes

TC · Post by TC » Tue Dec 07, 2004 6:12 pm

So sorry to hear this... Its bad enough when it happens to us alone but then to happen to your child!! Doubles the pain I know Not much anyone can say except we all feel for you and your not alone!!! Lifes Experiences can be bad, but they can also make us stronger. Give yer Boy a hug and let him Know you feel for and with him.....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 6:13 pm

email me jeff if you would like another pup. i have one he can have and am weaning them this week. stockgp@wku.edu

gabe stockton

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:11 pm

You're a good man Gabe

dmbarnes · Post by **dmbarnes** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:25 pm

Jeff, I have a couple of grade bluetick male beable pups. they were whelped 7/12/04. Very houndy looking, both parents are excellent gundogs. I'll give your boy one if he is interested.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:41 pm

I knew some of the guys on this site that have Bluetick would step up to the plate to help this young man out.Way to go guys.

Danny King · Post by **Danny King** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:08 pm

Sorry to hear about that I had a dog that only needed to be certified for Grand that was killed by someone i knews coon dog that was in my kennel

Danny King

oakhill · Post by **oakhill** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:23 pm

That is terrible. I am so sad to hear this. But you tell your son, if he wants to wait until the spring when I have some litters of pups, he can have a pick of the litter. Just send me a pm or let me know and I will get in contact with you when I have some pups.

TC · Post by TC » Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:53 pm

This is what is so great about our sport and way of life People Steppin Up Way to Go Oakhill

dmbarnes

gabe stockton

KyRidgeRunner · Post by **KyRidgeRunner** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:15 am

Guys, I am completely overwhelmed by the response to this post.

Un-real.

I did mention to my son when I first broke the news that we could get another Blue Tick Pup and he wasn't interested. Of course he was very upset at the time. Tonight he did approach me and asked if we got another pup could we name him Spooky Blue II. so maybe he is coming around.

It will probably be a while but I will keep your offers in mind.

Thank you all again Soooooooo much

Jeff