Hudson was rescued by B.O.N.E.S. from a bad situation in Limington, ME. After the gentleman called 911 (and subsequently passed away), the local ACO found 20 dogs living in squalid conditions.
B.O.N.E.S. took most of them and found them new homes. Overall, Hudson was in very good shape but when he had his physical, they found a serious mast cell tumor in his nose. As much as possible was removed.
B.O.N.E.S. wanted to find a wonderful home for Hudson and we did. John is a long-haul trucker that had lost his beagle companion of 13 years. He wanted a new companion. Luckily John found Hudson (or Hudson found John). It was a wonderful match. Hudson reported in regularly, and we share his "Chronicles" on this page.
Greetings from Spokane, WA. John and I traveled out here for his niece's wedding. We kind of had to be out here, because a few months ago, he offered to turn the Peterbilt into the official limo...
Anne's husband-to-be is in the farm tractor business selling AG equipment and other farm machinery. Like John, he loves trucks. Anne and her brother Arthur rode out with John, before my time, from Plattsburg, NY to Spokane, when their family moved. So, this had special significance for two reasons.
It was a tough few weeks trying to get loaded out to Washington State, but in the end, we made it with a couple of days to spare. These days were spent getting the truck cleaned, polished and waxed.
Some of the other family members helped out in decorating the interior as well as the exterior. The wedding was at a state park near Spokane, and all the guests got a big kick watching all the madness during the decorating. It might be my opinion, but I think more pictures were taken of the truck than the bride and groom. Just don't tell Anne!
Anyway, John was a complete professional and drove the couple from the ceremony back to the family residence for the reception.
Our own trip out to Washington started with a week at home trying to find anything out of New England. It still remains a slow year for freight. John found a load in Maryland that went to Knoxville. From there we got a load from Chattanooga out to Utah, and then reloaded out of Odgen, UT to Missoula, MT, which is about 200 miles away from Spokane. All-in-all, things worked out well.
During the day of the wedding and reception, I got to hang out with Maggie. Since there were so many people around, AND so much food, we stayed at a local kennel. I can understand them not trusting Maggie, she IS quick around food, but how can they not trust me... especially when you look into my eyes! She and I were in the same cage for a while, until they moved me into my own unit, since Maggie kept eating all my food. Like I said, she can move!
Anyway, it was a great weekend, with lots of friends and family, and everyone behaved. Saturday, they went downtown and rented a beer trolley, which looks like a regular trolley, except that everyone sits at what looks like a bar, and they pedal! They pedaled through the streets of Spokane and stopped at three local bars. From what I heard it was a lot of fun. Too bad they didn't think to bring me and Maggie. I guess it would have been embarrassing if Maggie and I out-pedaled them.
Monday we're headed to Richland, WA to load some machinery going to College Station, TX. With any luck, we will be able to visit another niece that is there working on her master's degree, whatever that is.
I guess that's all for now.
Hudson, the semi-beagle.
A Note from John...
John reporting in here. I have dreaded this time since we started these stories. This will be the last Hudson's Chronicle.
In August, after eight-and-a-half years and 1.1 million miles together, Hudson passed away in Clovis, NM.
He had an episode in mid-July when he was lethargic and didn't have his balance. I took him to a vet the next day and he was back to his normal self. The vet couldn't find anything wrong at that time. When we got home, we went to our usual vet, with the same result. He would have "normal" days, and then a "sluggish" day once in a while.
About a week ago, he kept losing energy, and his eating was decreasing. On Monday, he pretty much stopped eating, even turning down cold cuts. By Wednesday evening, he couldn't stand by himself. Thursday, I found a vet hospital in Clovis, and after numerous tests, x-rays, and blood work, they found two tumors, kidney failure, and some other major problems that escape me right now. We all agreed that there was only one option.
Hudson has been tenderly packed for dignity and is making his last trip home.
As a side note, during his last days, we met a wonderful couple, Art and Noella Strong, and their "kids" Hunter, Maddie, and Punky. They are involved in rescuing and transporting animals. We both loaded at the same location on Monday, and they had advice and support for me as far as Hudson was concerned. They were a godsend this week for me on the road.
On a positive note, I haven't electrocuted myself with all my tears on the keyboard, so I take it as a sign that I'm destined for another rescue!
John
