DunesMom

Our chattering, tail-wagging, curious and beloved Kipper (RD's Kiper) was euthanized Wednesday 9/23 due to osteosarcoma. DH and I are trying to process the pain and grief of losing too soon a great little happy soul who shared our lives and love of travel. Kipper logged more than 70,000 actual driving miles with us around the U.S., and he both loved it and was a joyous companion who had friends and admirers scattered throughout the lower 48 states. Kipper was a shy foster with no intent, chosen because he was not a personality I would fall in love with. DH and I planned to choose our next hound together when he returned from a trip. At the kennel, Kipper was a mostly bald, bony-framed, white and brindle boy who bordered on spook in the early days. But Kipper’s extreme shyness masked a curious, playful, chattering, tennis ball-loving, tail-wagging and happy hound, particularly around stuffies and, after two long and difficult years of daily training and socializing to ease his fears, around humans he considered “his." Even in those tough first years, Kipper loved travel. He loved the car; he learned in one weekend that he loved hotels and the delicious treats humans brought every time they left the room. He was afraid but also deeply curious; this allowed him to view the truck as his giant safe crate, from which he could see and smell the world. We never thought a shy dog would be our perfect traveling companion, but Kipper was. He had many fears and anxieties but was always, unfailingly, a glass-half-full hound, greeting every morning with bright eyes and happy chatter and a big, deep bow. He will be deeply missed. We are grateful to Operation Greyhound for rescuing him and allowing us to share his life.