05/09/2026
Oh Herky, We knew someday this time would come. It's one of the sacrifices of loving a pet with your whole heart. Tough day here at Brant Farm as we laid the patriarch of the farm to rest. 💔
Herky lived a good 13 years, 2 months, 16 days of life, full of loving and protecting us.
Born in February, in a snow storm, his Momma went out in the middle of the night to "potty" and had him outside in a snow bank! Surviving as a new born pup, alone in the cold for a few hours before his breeder realized why his Mom wanted to go back outside, he started in this world as a fighter! Tough as nails and as Travis called him, tougher than boiled owl. His breeder dubbed him Lucky and lucky he was to even survive! He got to come home to Brant Farm with his Aunt Déja, whom at first was NOT a fan of his ornery s***k. After time, they became best buds.
He loved to swim and wade in the goldfish pond in the summer and in the winter he truly enjoyed the snow. His all time favorite was to find a new cologne (s**t 💩, usually deer s**t, but in a pinch any would do) to waller around in making sure to paint his entire neck ensuring he would be able to share his new find with Mom and Dad. If no s**t to be found really any mud or dirt would do.
He spent plenty of time sniffin' literally everything, his nose was a sense he never lost. His last few months he'd went blind, but boy could he still smell. A born and bred hunter for sure. Nothing got past him.
He loved gettin' and killin', especially feral cats, none were safe here! We blame kitty Toby for always machine gun punching him in the face! He even chased down and killed a 30lb groundhog! But, birds were his favorite, from hunting pheasant, quail, and chucker to just simply chasing off the geese and buzzards from the air space of the farm, which he was certain that he personally owned.
He hated to be inside and preferred his apartment in the barn. Probably due to his experience with Toby. Darn cat.
He loved and protected his people fiercely, even backing Austin and Nathan off of Travis, two people he knew so very well, when Trav had his backed turned away.
# Nobody Gets My Daddy! Daddy's Best Buddy.
Herky even became one of Travis' best wrestlers. Travis, being a wrestling coach, decided to teach Herky how to wrestle. Trav would tell him " bottom man set" and Herky would sit. Then Trav would say "top man cover" and Trav would take top wrestling position. Trav would say "Wrestle!" and Herk would shoot out, turn, and raise on his back legs and hand fight/wrestle with Travis. It was fun to see, Until one time when Herky apparently got tired of never getting a take down and when Trav yelled "Wrestle!" Herk grabbed Trav's forearm in his mouth, putting holes in Trav's arm and slung him to the floor. Let's just say after Herky won a match Trav decided Herky should stop wrestling!
Herky sired 39 beautiful puppies. 23 with Rouzey Daisy and 16 with Liberty Rose. Two of his sons remain here with us at Brant Farm, Mr. Tuff and Mr. Brutus. We are also blessed to have several of his pups with our family and friends.
Herky left his legacy in this world and his big ole paw prints forever on our hearts. He was a wonderful companion and we were blessed to have his love for as long as we did. He is now comfortable and chasin birds, running through the fields with full eyesight again.
Thank you Osceola Vet Clinic for all your years of care and love.
Special Thank you to Dr. Korver, Ally, and Joscelyn for your care and compassion today as we laid our baby to rest.
We love you sweet boy. We miss you immensely already.
We'll see you on the other side.
💕🐾🌈🐾💕
Herkys Crazy Lucky Snap
02/16/2013 --💛-- 05/08/2026
