R.I.P. BETTY
Girl, you brought an awful lot of joy to the kids when they were still home and to my life these last 18 or 19 years and I'm damn sure going to miss you. Guess its just your time to head the way Stumppy and Max have.
You were the best damn rabbit dog I've ever seen, even the other dogs that would run with you realized that pretty quick. Every one of them would figure out it was best if they just layed back and watched you work. Pretty soon I'd hear you let out your battle cry and the chase was on. If there was actual hunting going on I learned real quick to shoot that rabbit on the first pass, rarely was there a second chance, you would catch the damn thing yourself and terminate it with extreme prejudice, damn you were fast.

You were and will always be THE Rabbit Slayer.
I'll never forget the time it was just me and you, you got on the trail, your battle cry sounded a little different I thought as I followed you. When I rounded the back side of that out building, you were in 3 foot grass and you knew you were sooo close. I knew you were close too, only about 2 foot away from the biggest damn skunk I ever seen. Its tail straight up and the big ole pink butthole pointed right at both of us.

Lucky for us both I was faster than you that day. Scooping you up and bolting back the way we came. I never forgot the sound of that particular battle cry.

I'm gonna miss you girl. Fortunately you've left me with lots of damn fine memories. Lotta dogs could learn from you.
Never ever let a rabbit get away.
Never give up your food or bone to another dog...no matter how big they are.
Never take any shit...from anyone or anything.
I'm glad I was able to provide you with a long and healthy life. I'm gonna miss you girl, see you on the other side.