Marc, I know what you mean. I lost my dog Sam overnight, but thank God he came to the sweater I left out and thank God for my farmer friend that took him in until I could get there. Still hunted him, because he lived to hunt. Had him for 10 years.
Just buried my beagle Buddy that we had for 13 years-- he was close to 15. That little guy showed potential early on, but he was just as happy to stay home by the fire. A great little friend, I miss him everyday. With the busy roads, coyotes, and lack of rabbits, I felt it too risky to take him out. Beagles are great dogs and heartbreakers for sure.
Rabbit hunting with a beagle (Sam) was the best hunting of my life, but those days are gone.