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You are here: Home / Absent Friends / RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020

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My sister had to help her beloved dog Huck today end his misery, and he has moved on to join Irie, Russell, Tunch and a host of other very fine animals, and he will be missed very much. Huck was Devon’s best friend, a mere puppy when Irie left us, and has been a VERY good dog since he was a very adorable puppy.

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 2

Huck had a wide variety of interests. He liked to boat:

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 1

He liked to go for car rides:

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 3

He liked dropping the dope beats with his friends (this always looks like an album cover):

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 4

He like to roll in goose shit:

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 5

He loved to run the trails with Devon:

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 6

He was such a good boy, with such an even temperament, and one of the things he loved the most was teaching other dogs how to be a good dog. Huck may be gone, but he lives on in the honest to goodness hundred other dogs he helped Devon train and foster:

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 7

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 8

This picture of Huck with young Ginny is too much:

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 9

Every animal that my sister fostered became a better animal because of Huck. Devon taught them how to be loved, Huck taught them how to be a dog.

But out of all of these things Huck liked to do, the number one thing he loved to do the most was to be with Devon, and she loved it just as much.

RIP, Huck. You were the man. I’m crying.

RIP Huck, the GOODEST DOG, 2005-2020 10

Reader Interactions

85Comments

  3. 3.

    zhena gogolia

    Wow. What a dog. His soul shines through in these pictures. Deepest sympathy to Devon and you.

  4. 4.

    CaseyL

    What a doggo! What a sad day. Condolences to you, Devon, and all of Huck’s extended family, of all species.

    In that boating photo, is Huck yelling at the water or trying to bite it?

  5. 5.

    SWMBO

    Peace and comfort to all who knew him. He seems like such a character. And those are always sorely missed.

  9. 9.

    seefleur

    Condolences to Hucks’ people – he will be missed, but will always be loved, and in that way Huck lives on as the good boy is always was.

  13. 13.

    Miss Bianca

    Aww…today just seems to be a teary day to commemorate those lost. Even the sky is weeping and roaring over thisaway. Goodbye, good boy Huck.

  17. 17.

    Sure Lurkalot

    Even when their lives are relatively long, they are too short. I’ve been pet less for a decade now and every time a post like this comes up, I realize again how honored we are to have such companions, whether in person or vicariously.

    Condolences.

  18. 18.

    PJ

    My condolences to you and your sister, Cole. Losing a dog is hard.

    Slightly off topic, but I followed the link to the posting about Irie, and it was interesting to see that almost all of the commenters no longer comment here. (“Chopper” and “srv”, I think, still do.)

  20. 20.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Huck was a very, very good dog, you can just tell from those photos. What a legacy he left. My condolences to Devon and to everyone who ever gave that good boy ear skritches or a belly rub.

  22. 22.

    LaurenR

    We miss them so  much even after losing Annabelle (a beagle) in 1979, I still miss her and wish the people in my life now could have known her as I did. RIP Huck.

  26. 26.

    J R in WV

    Cole, so sorry for your family’s loss. Huck was the perfect puppy, so obvious from your story and photos.

    All beloved puppys are perfect, even if they just ate your favorite left shoe! Just glad so many other rescued puppies got educated in dogness by Huck, his skills will live on in his myriad students. Our current Lab princess didn’t know anything about being a farm dog when I brought her home, and Happy Girl taught her everything she needed to know. I know Huck did that too, and I’m glad he taught all those doggos what they needed to know.

    Take good care of the remaining crew of puppies and kitties… I know you will.

  27. 27.

    Mary G

    Such a good boy.  Love and light to Devon and all Huck’s friends and family however many feet they walk on, and thank you all for sharing your memories of him with us.

  28. 28.

    J R in WV

    @Rob:

    Aww, I’m crying too (and I’m pretty much just a lurker). RIP Huck.

    That’s OK, lurkers have feelings too!

  29. 29.

    NeenerNeener

    I’m so sorry Huck is gone; I feel terrible for Devon.

    I had to let my last Australian Shepherd, Emily, go in June. She just couldn’t walk anymore, at almost 16 yo. I lost her brother, Fudge, to a stroke a year ago.This is the first time in 34 years that I’ve gone more than 2 weeks without a dog in my home and I feel it like an itch but I have some house remodeling to do before I start looking for my next fur friend.

  31. 31.

    Elizabelle

    What a good dog.  With what a good life.

    You will always be remembered, Huck.

    And I love that album cover!!

  33. 33.

    Aleta

    It’s so cool to watch a dog like Huck help young rescues come out of their apprehensive shells, as they start to frolic a little around the calm older dog.  Then eventually the little one is racing around, thrilled at this wonderful first friend.  Something of himself Huck  leaves behind in the rescued dogs, a very good and beautiful thing.

  34. 34.

    Elizabelle

    Irie left in October 2006, so Huck was at least 14.  That is a good run for a pup, but never long enough for a good, good dog.

    Devon, I am so sorry, and I hope (know) there is another wonderful dog in your future.  Although.  Not Huck.

  37. 37.

    Sloane Ranger

    What a handsome boy he was! He lived a happy and fulfilled life. My heart goes out to all whose life he made a little better by his presence.

  38. 38.

    WaterGirl

    @Elizabelle: 2005 to 2020, sounds like Huck could have been 16, or close to it.

    Sounds like Huck was a once in a lifetime dog, though once in a blue moon, we are lucky enough to get more than one.

  39. 39.

    petesh

    Please accept my condolences and pat the rest of the animals for me, yourself and sister included. It’s hard. We have a 17-yr-old JRT, now sleeping right by me as he so often does, a bit slow on the uphills now but good on the downhill grades. He just better not leave us, that’s all I can say.

  40. 40.

    Skepticat

    Losing a pet is brutally painful, and here I am crying over a sweet dog I never knew. Just happy that you all gave him a good life and he returned the favor.

  43. 43.

    Skyweaver

    I am so sorry for Devon and for anyone who loved Huck. There is no pain like it. So sad for everyone. I’m glad he was here.

  48. 48.

    WaterGirl

    @Elizabelle: You don’t think Huck knew what was coming next (the bath) and he was sorry about that?  :-)

    Sweet boy. I bet he was like my big dog AC, who did not like baths, but was such a gentleman that he would heave this huge sigh and then step into the tub himself.  Because I asked him to.

    Tears for all the great dogs we have loved and lost.

  49. 49.

    beckya57

    I’m so sorry, Huck looks like a wonderful dog.  I know all too well how hard it is to lose a pet.  People who don’t understand say, “Just get another one,” not realizing they’re all different (though that is still good advice, when the bereaved owner is ready).

    2020 just sucks.

  50. 50.

    ruemara

    Rest well, Huck. You were a most excellent boi. And the way you guarded the boat from all those pesky waves, you were a fierce guard.

  51. 51.

    WaterGirl

    Devon had to know this was coming, but she and Chris still came and celebrated with your parents for their anniversary on Thursday.  Coles are good people.

  53. 53.

    TinRoofRusted

    We lost our Beowulf in May. He was also a good dog. I miss him everyday. Condolences to Devon and John. You never get over it. You just learn to live with it.

  55. 55.

    hitchhiker

    My adopted dog Utah looks almost exactly like Huck, so this post is flattening me pretty hard right now. I’m so sorry for your famly’s loss!

    Was Huck a Great Pyrhenees/Australian Shepherd mix? That’s what they think Utah is … can confirm they’re beautiful, soulful animals.

  56. 56.

    CaseyL

    @WaterGirl: Oh, my GOD.  What a trip down Memory Lane.  2006, and I think I first came to BJ in ’05.

    (Irie is also the dog from the “Best Santa Photo Of All Time” that John re-posts every year. Now, there’s immortality for you!)

  60. 60.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @CaseyL:

    I loved the story John told of when Irie was at the vet’s and they were just about to put him down, he caught sight of the office cat and went chasing after it — after having not been able to walk on his own for days. Made me laugh through my tears.

  64. 64.

    The Moar You Know

    I will always stop to memorialize a dog.  Thank you, Huck.  Socializing dogs to the presence and habits of other dogs saves dog lives; it’s not trivial.

    Ride in peace, good hound.  Please say hi to my departed and desperately missed Hannah.

  66. 66.

    nclurker

    at 66,i’m pretty cynical about most things.

    i’m sitting on the couch with my rescue pit’s massive head in my hand while i read this,and i realize

    that dog’s are about the only thing i remain truly sentimental about.

    the only thing i know for sure ,is that the only way to get over a great dog ,is to get another one.

  69. 69.

    Aleta

    @TinRoofRusted:  My sympathy to you.  Beowulf, what a good name for a good dog.  What you say is true:

    “You never get over it. You just learn to live with it.”

    I guess that’s how they stay in our hearts, but I wish it were not so hard.

  70. 70.

    Annie

    I am so sorry to hear this. Condolences to Devon.

    I hope there are lots of boat rides and car rides for Huck in doggy heaven

  71. 71.

    Quantumman

    I am sorry to hear of your sister’s loss.  We lost our two girls within the past ten days.  We lost Lina our Great Dane, and Faith our Irish Wolfhound.  Losing a companion animal is devastating.  My condolences to all who grieve for him.

  72. 72.

    Blackcatsrule

    @nclurker: We feel the same way about kitties.  Over the past two decades we usually get a “replacement” cat within a week when one of the residents passes on.  We feel it honors their memory and why let a kitty wait any longer for a home when we have an available space?

    Condolences to all on the passing of a very good dog.

  73. 73.

    WaterGirl

    @Quantumman: I am so sorry.  I believe you had shared the loss of one of them recently, and you knew the other loss was coming all too soon.

    Tears for you and for your beloved pets.  Two in such a short period would be almost unbearable.  So very sorry.

  78. 78.

    ellie

    Huck was a cutie! The bestest boi. I am so sorry for your loss. Every pet I lose is another piece of my heart gone.

  81. 81.

    Spinoza Is My Co-pilot

    The Rainbow Bridge ought to be real, dammit. Dogs are the best, we hardly deserve them. Miss all mine who have gone, have just one sweet pup left now of our continual pack going back decades (most often we’d have 3 together sharing our home) and he will be our last.

  84. 84.

    oldster

    This is one of the most touching, eloquent, and noble tributes that I have ever read, to a member of any species.

    If I thought I would be eulogized in these terms, I would be able to die happily right now.

    Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

  85. 85.

    Mary Ellen Sandahl

    No one will read this, I’m so late to the thread. I mostly lurk, but just want to say how touching and wonderful I’m finding Huck’s story and memorial, and everyone’s kind empathy and stories about their good dogs, past and present. What a fine being he was. So many of us have shared our lives with animals of great character. Not always as totally good as Huck was –these days, I am auntie to one intermittently problem boi who’s a rescue probably from a puppy mill and wouldn’t miss it for the world – but much loved all the same. Good critters, good people all here! Thanks for posting, John and everyone.

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