Whiskers In The Dark

THE NATIONAL BEAGLE CLUB

Founded in 1887 by farsighted and good people, the National Beagle Club benefits from continued solid leadership. If only we could send them to Congress.

I am certainly grateful to Lis Kelly, the archivist. She certainly has a task.

Liz Reeser, the assistant treasurer of the National Beagle Club, an events coordinator, and a major contributor to Hounds F4R Heroes, took a lot of time with me and made me laugh in the bargain.

Arie Rijke, M.D., Master of the Waldingfield Beagles, allows me to bedevil him. Watching him hunt his hounds, listening to tales of the past, needs of the present, has been invaluable. The other staff members of the club have also been wonderful.

Kathleen King, formerly of Ashland Bassets, whose late husband, Al Toews, was Master of Bassets, as always finds me odd tidbits of information when asked. She hunts with Oak Ridge Foxhunt Club and we have hunted behind bassets with intense pleasure.

Amy Burke Walker, Jt. MB of Holly Hill Beagles, cochair of the Triple Challenge and a member of the board of directors at the National Beagle Club, endured far too many questions from myself. We both whip-in to the Waldingfield Beagles and she whips-in to me with the Oak Ridge Foxhounds. On foot, I simply imitate her if I am able. Amy has won the Best in the Nation award two times, maybe more, for whipping-in. When she is whipping-in to me, on horseback, I know that side is covered. But I keep asking her questions and she bears it in good grace.

Hounds F4R Heroes was started by Steve Fox, ably assisted by his wife, Trish, and Matt Lafley is a cofounder. If you Google Hounds F4R Heroes, you will see if your state has such a group. This is a relatively new development and one worthy of our support.

Allow me to give thanks for the Waldingfield Beagles who left us and are now in the Happy Hunting Grounds after a life doing what they loved. I love it, too, and owe them a great deal, as I do to the people of the above-named pack. A good time is had by all.

Without Geoffrey Ogden and Jan, his wife, this novel would not have been possible. Given their long careers in service of our nation, postings overseas to sometimes dangerous places, I was astonished and sobered by their information. Geoff, among his other successes, was president of the Middleburg Hunt Club. When I talk to him I never want him to stop, whether it concerns our State Department or foxes. As for Jan, I look older, she does not. Grateful as I am for her service, I find this deeply unfair.

Finally, Joy Cummings and Harriett Love, her sister, came up with all manner of ideas about poisons. I hope to stay on their good side.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.