From the mouth of a voiceless actor: Ranger: You were my best friend

You were my best friend. Ever since the first day I laid eyes on you back in 2006, I knew you needed to be part of our family. You were just six weeks old. On that day, we just happened to be at Trader’s Village in Grand Prairie, just walking around trying to find that one thing that we absolutely couldn’t live without. Little did we know at the time, that thing we couldn’t live without would be you, my friend.

After walking around, my family and I decided to go look at the animals they sell there in the front of Trader’s Village (everyone who knows the place knows exactly what I’m talking about). We weren’t looking to buy a pet; we just wanted to look at all the puppy cuteness. We saw all breeds and sizes of puppies, with price ranges from "okay" to "OMG, are you serious?".

As I was walking down, I saw the beagles (Beagles have been one of my favorite dogs for as far back as I can remember.) My eyes instantly locked onto you, but just as another couple reached down to pick you up and say they wanted you. Then, if I remember correctly, the wife said, “Are you sure?” to the husband. He put you back down with your brothers and sisters and walked away.

I immediately picked you up and started talking to you. Your tail started wagging, and you started licking my face. “You’re coming home with us,” I thought. We told the sellers that we wanted you, and they got the paperwork, temporarily putting you in the “sold” section. As we were filling out the forms, I remember the couple came back looking for you. They asked about you and were told you were already sold. Within those few minutes of meeting you, they would have had to fight me to get you from us.

After the paper work was filled out, you were officially ours. Or, more accurately, we were yours. We walked around for a little while longer and decided to take you home. The rest as they say is history, our history.

I still remember when you made your first little howl. It was very similar to the howl the puppy Copper made in The Fox and the Hound when he and Tod were introducing themselves. Just melted your heart. I can hear him saying “My name is Ranger, I’m a hound dog. Aaww hoooo!!”

Throughout the years, you would get bigger. Maybe a little grayer and a little slower, and you would even eventually lose your hearing. But throughout all that time, you were always there for me and the rest of the family. You would never judge us; you never were angry with us. Sometimes you were a little stubborn when you didn’t want to come in the house, but who isn’t?

You loved us, and we loved you Ranger. As the tears roll down my face as I am typing this, I will always miss you my friend. We love you so much Ranger, and you will always be in our hearts.

RIP Ranger: 2-14-2006/1-8-2020

Young Tod : Copper, you're my best friend.

Young Copper : And you're mine too, Tod.

Young Tod : And we'll always be friends forever. Won't we?

Young Copper : Yeah, forever.