A Tribute, Joyce Dillon, Dec. 25, 1943 - March 11, 2007

 

Joyce Dillon, the untiring, loyal guardian angel of bloodhound breed rescue, died unexpectedly on March 11. She had been the director of Southeast Bloodhound Rescue for the past two years. Joyce, along with Betsy Merchant and Leeane Dayvolt, organized and incorporated the group in 2000. At that time, Joyce held the position of assistant director.

 

Earlier in her life, Joyce worked as a nurse, caring for people in New York, where she lived. An accomplished equestrian, she also worked for a prominent New York Veterinarian at Belmont Racetrack. The great filly, Ruffian, was one of the patients she helped treat. Joyce knew and loved horses. She was both owner and driver of Standard bred trotters and pacers for many years. However, the bloodhound dog became her true love, receiving the most and best of her time and resources. Joyce, and her husband Tom, always had happy hounds in their home, as well as in the show ring. Joyce also did tracking and trailing with hounds. While living in upstate New York, she befriended Bill Tolhurst, from whom she learned much.

 

Long before SEBR became a reality, Joyce was busy helping less fortunate hounds on her own. Throughout her life, she helped numerous unwanted and abandoned bloodhounds, regardless of pedigree. Joyce did not care what condition a dog was in, she helped them all: Stubbie, who was missing half his tail; Van Gogh, was missing half an ear; Lucky Girl, was an amputee; Georgie Girl, covered in mange, wore a shock collar. Thanks to her compassion, desire, and determination to help the homeless misfits of the breed, Joyce managed to find loving homes for all of them, and for so many others.

 

Like so many who mourn her passing, I never met Joyce in person. I began an email correspondence with her when I posted a memorial page for my beloved Sir Russell on the SEBR website.  In August 2006, Joyce matched me up with Boone, an owner turn-in due to divorce. She somehow just knew that we were the right match for each other. How right she was. Boone has brought great joy and happiness to our home. I will always be thankful to Joyce for finding Boone for me, as well as all that she has taught me.

 

Before and after Boone's arrival, Joyce and I were in constant communication. She shared her vast knowledge of the breed with me, as she did with many other hound lovers. Joyce always had time to answer questions or to just chat, either by phone or by email. She was my bloodhound mentor and she became my friend. Her enthusiasm and love for the breed were contagious. Before I knew it, I was equipped with a phone card, and enlisted to screen families interested in adopting rescued hounds.

 

Joyce Dillon was one of those rare people who made a difference in the world. She cared passionately for her cause and she touched so many lives, human and animal. Joyce is irreplaceable and will forever be missed. We, who love bloodhounds, should find it in our hearts to continue with her mission and follow her example.