May 5, 1996 – January 9, 2012

I begin with Badger, endearingly referred to as “Master” Badger is the longest living dog I have ever known, he has been my companion for more than half my life; for a German Shepherd that is impressive. We originally adopted Badger and Banshee (May 5, 1996 – October 17, 2009) at the now defunct Rock Hill, NY SPCA, subsequent to the death of our family’s first dog Bandit (July 4, 1982 – June 24, 1996). When mother brought us to the SPCA the plan was to look and possibly adopt one dog. We brought home two dogs as a result of irreconcilable differences between Brenton and myself.

Badger and Banshee lived a lifestyle the envy of most dogs in the city, where we resided for short interval.  As puppies, they roamed the acreage at our remote summer farmhouse nestled at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains in front of a gently meandering trout stream. Badger and Banshee had a penchant for discovering exciting ways to fight or cause trouble. In those days, not far gone, Mr. Cudney still had dairy cows behind the house, everyone knows what dogs do in cow pastures, or do we?  Eventually the summer home was sold and we made our full time residence on a small farm in rural Frelinghuysen Township, New Jersey; where Badger and Banshee genuinely lived their lives.

Both dogs were avid explorers and would go on hikes with Brenton and I; neither really enjoyed fishing or shooting guns. Badger a casual swimmer, during balmy summer days, found sitting by the pond and waiting for fish an arduous effort. Banshee disliked loud noises and would be terrified on the Fourth of July when the fireworks went off. Needless to say, they were both great companions who argued and enjoyed each other company similar to my brother and myself.

My fondest memory of the both of them together was in their twilight years, following my return home from college.  All of us brought the “puppies” snowshoeing around our perimeter trail even though they were 11 years old they ran, played, and fought like they were still puppies. There were still many good days to follow. As this is a fishing website I will end with a Norman Maclean quote, “And I knew just as surely, just as clearly, that life is not a work of art, and that the moment could not last.”

Badger passed away this evening at an estimated 109 dog years (15.6 human years) after a short illness. He is buried aside his brother on the small grass covered hill overlooking the family farm.