I have started and stopped writing this blog a hundred times. It is one of the hardest and personal things I have ever written. It all has to do with a beagle named Brisco.

In 2013, I made one of the best decisions of my life. I got a dog. Not just any dog, but a 10-week-old beagle who we named Brisco after one of my favorite TV shows, Brisco County Jr.

I fell completely in love with him the moment I saw him. Floppy ears, goofy smile, full of happiness. I knew that he was my dog. But I never imagined how much I would grow to love him or how much of an impact he would have on my life.

This is the story of Brisco.

The Ride Home

January 6, 2013

Today is a very important day. We are on our way to Cincinnati, Ohio to pick up my puppy! I am extremely excited. Mom went with me to the pet store in preparation and I bought a collar, a crate, a toy, and a bed for him. I hope he adjusts okay to his new home.

Steve and I made the 4-hour drive to Cincinnati, Ohio, to pick up the cutest, sweetest little dog I have ever met. At the time, his name was Petey. He was a 10-week-old, purebred beagle. He was the last one of his litter looking for his home. The meet and greet went perfectly, and after long goodbyes, he was snuggled up on my lap and we were heading to his new home.

From the day I brought him home, I knew he was special. Even when he peed on him during that car ride. I suddenly began to wonder what I had gotten myself into but when I looked into those tiny brown eyes, full of unconditional love, all the worries melted away and I knew whatever challenges were to come, he and I would get through it together.

A Year of Firsts

First Adventure

Every day with Brisco was a new adventure. From potty training to failed obedience classes to romps around the yard to learning just what it means to be owned by a beagle. He was eager to learn in his own way, snuggle every moment of the day, and be loved. It took a while, but his big brother, Rebel, was also warming up to him.

It wasn’t long after we brought him home that we headed out on our first trip. We took a long weekend and headed up to the frigid but beautiful U.P. during February. We rented a cabin for my birthday. Easy hiking, and enjoying the quiet were on the agenda.

Brisco loved every moment of it, despite almost immediately upon arrival getting his toenail stuck in his crate and ripping it almost completely out. That didn’t stop him. After Steve wrapped it up to keep it dry and plopped him in a backpack for hikes, we went off to explore the world.

The First Camping Trip

That same summer, we took Brisco on his very first camping trip. It was a week-long trp and we had a lot planned. Brisco was up for every second of it.

We set up camp at various campgrounds across the U.P. We hiked, visited waterfalls, watched sunsets, enjoyed fireworks, waded in rivers, and just spent every moment exploring new places and things. Brisco had his nose out every second of it. He was loving the adventure, discovering new things, and stealing my heart every moment.

Home Life

During the early years, Brisco’s favorite thing was running around the backyard, playing tug with his big brother, and chasing us around. He also loved long, snuggly naps with me, and our numerous weekly hikes to some of our favorite local trails.

I spent several years of his early life, dealing with chronic migraine. I spent many hours in bed with him curled up next me as close as he could be. He brought comfort to me in a way that can’t even be described during some of my most painful attacks. And he gave me a reason to get out of bed on days when the pain was mild to moderate. He kept me moving. He kept me loving life. He gave me strength when I needed it most. And he showed me that despite it all, I could find joy when we were together, no matter the circumstance.

The Adventures Never Stopped

We spent so much time together over the years.

Running around the backyard chasing each other in all types of weather. Being goofy in the house after I’d come home from long days of work. Going on long hikes in the woods to quiet, familiar places with plenty of good sniffs along the way.

Camping in new places. Long days and nights of snuggling in bed when my migraine attacks would be relentless. Taking trips to the beach, where we discovered that he thought water was scary, and I didn’t like sand. Cold, winter days playing in the freshly fallen snow.

Hiking up “Michigan Mountains” to simply stare at the vast expanses of trees. Spending hours in the garden while he searched for green beans to steal right off the plants. Giving me countless lectures on being “too close” to the edge of the waterfalls we explored.

Then there was the quiet evenings were we sat and watched the sunset together while Brisco chewed on sticks or pinecones. Nights were were watching the campfire burn and listening to the calls of the whippoorwills fill the night sky. Sleeping together in a hammock where he would always steal my sleeping bag.

Whether it was a road trip with an unknown destination or an evening at home, arrooing in the kitchen and play attacking with Steve, Brisco was all about the adventures. About finding the joy in his day and sharing it with his family. The family who loved him more than anything, and he in return.

The Change in Adventures

In 2016, Brisco experienced his first seizure. It was very short and very unexpected. The next day, he was diagnosed by his vet with idiopathic epilepsy. In the next few years, his seizures were infrequent. Life continued on as normal. However, by 2020, his seizures had become frequent enough that he needed some medication. It helped for a little while but in December of 2021, he had his first major cluster seizure event and ended up in the hospital for 3 days.

Unable to get his seizures under control, the emergency vet recommended euthanizing him or seeing a neurologist. We opted for a neurologist. I wasn’t going to give up on him. The neurologist got us in that day and continued treating Brisco’s cluster seizures. They got them under control, and 24 hours later, he came home. But life was significantly changed.

After this point, Brisco was always under my observation. From setting up cameras in the house to never being more than 10 minutes away from him at any time. I altered every aspect of my life with the focus on keeping him safe.

Despite adding more medication into the mix, his seizures continued to remain a challenge to control, and soon his diagnosis was upgraded to Refractory Idiopathic Epilepsy with cluster tendenancies. He still ended up in the hospital overnight once more, and had to receive emergency vet services once more.

We never left the house without his emergency medications, we altered vacations to never go anywhere without him, and we always looked up the closest (and best) emergency vet clinic in the area before going anywhere. Keeping him safe was my number one priority.

Our adventures most certainly didn’t stop, but we did make changes. No more long hikes in the middle of nowhere. No more long off-roading trips to the middle of nowhere. His life may have changed, but he was still the same resistant, happy beagle that he had been for his whole life.

Our bond grew even stronger during this time. I refused to give up on him, and I would do anything to keep him safe and happy. I spent so many mornings, afternoons, and evenings giving him medicines and waiting for him to come out of his seizures. Hours of post-seizure snuggles, where he would melt into me, knowing that I would keep him safe.

We had an unbreakable bond built on our love for adventure, our willingness to be there for each other, and a trust that we would take care of each other.

The Later Years

Despite dealing with epilepsy, Brisco never slowed down or stopped. He loved his roadtrips, hikes in the woods, silliness in the backyard, and most of all, his snuggles with me. Spending time with him was always the highlight of my day. When Brisco was there, there was no room for sadness or loneliness. He brightened every corner of my life.

We still took week-long trips to our property, where Brisco could enjoy sniffing all the interesting wildlife. From bears to bunnies. We even took a few solo trips, just the two of us, to some of our favorite locations.

He even took up running short distances on his walks. His big, floppy ears flying in the wind as he stretched out those legs and….just ran, looking at me briefly with joy as we sprinted our way along.

My love for him never stopped growing. He was my best friend, my partner in adventure. I admire his strength and resilience, and most of all, his ability to always be happy, even when he wasn’t feeling well.

A Day of Magic

One day in February of 2025, we had gotten our first decent snowfall. I decided it would be a perfect day for a hike in the woods. I grabbed Brisco and his coat, and we headed off for an adventure.

There was one moment during our hike where it was magical. It was just us in the woods, playing in the snow. Just the two of us. Peaceful and perfect.

I didn’t know in that moment that everything was about to change. Or rather that it already had changed and I just didn’t know about it yet.

We stood, watching the snow fall all around us from the big white pines. The sound of snow falling in the woods is unmatched. We just stood there, together.

The moment only lasted a few minutes but it truly was pure magic. We were both happy and content. We were filled with wonder and we were together.

I think about that day so much now.

The Final Months

Days after that magic day, Brisco’s breathing changed and I took him to the vet. We discovered that he had fluid on his lungs caused by cancer. The cancer had metasized and there was nothing that could be done.

My heart broke that day.

My best friend was dying and there was no way to save him. I made a decision then. I bottled it all up as best as I could. I wasn’t going to allow the heartbreak to ruin what little time we had left together.

And so our adventures continued. Hiking local trails, visiting the pet store to pick out tasty treats, trips to cabins in far-away places with new sniffs to explore. We did it all. Or at least as much as we could. We lived every day to the fullest and soaked in every single moment together.

Two months later, I lost him.

My world shattered that day into a million pieces. Part of my very soul died with him. It wasn’t hard letting him go. I knew I had to. Cancer was destroying his body. But it was hard leaving him behind. It was hard knowing that I would have to start living a life that he was no longer part of.

Brisco was a one-of-a-kind, amazing dog who loved everything and everyone he ever met. He brought such joy into my life and I treasure every memory I have of him. From licking cookie dough spoons that were conveniently left at eye level to watching the sunset over our property, to every end-of-day snuggle. Every moment with him was so special.

Twelve years was not nearly enough but no number of years ever would be. He was my best friend. I loved him more than anything, and I miss so much every single moment of every day.

To My Best Friend

Wherever you are, I hope that you are in a place filled with woods as thick and rich as you little heart desires. With smells aplenty, sticks to chew on, and all friends to fill your spirit with the love and joy you’ve brought to everyone you’ve met in this life.

I miss you more than I can ever imagine. Because you were never not “just a dog”. You’ve always been a part of my soul, my little warrior.