Pete and Geoff with David Gilroy paid their respects while on a hunting trip in Maryland in October, 2007.

Click here to read the article written by Gary Weller that was published in American Cooner March 2005 edition shortly after Gordon's death.

This page is dedicated to GORDON - a coonhunter and a friend to all who knew him.  He was very involved in the continuance of the Yadkin River bloodline.  He hunted, bred and trained many fine Yadkin River hounds.

"Donnie from Md.  I really liked the piece on Gordon. He was a good friend. He started me in coon hunting at the age of 13 and we hunted for 20 years together. One thing about Gordon, he always had a high caliber of hound and I miss that." (Donnie Davis, October 2007)

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"Gordon’s page is my favorite. I don’t think the coonhound world really knows how much Gordon Gilroy did to get the Yadkin River dogs in the public eye. He devoted his life to these dogs and was truly an un-sung hero of the Walker breed and the Yadkin River dogs. If not for the efforts of Gordon there would have been no Yadkin River Crowder, Rock River Sackett, Rock River Sackett Jr. and if the truth be known no Nocturnal Nailor. For a man that didn’t hunt in competition hunts Gordon sure had a huge impact on them. A large majority of Walker stud dogs and big hunt winners of today can be traced back to the efforts made by Gordon Gilroy many years ago. Thank you for keeping Gordon’s dream alive through your breeding program". (Gary Weller - Maryland, February 2007)

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"Really appreciate the page dedicated to Gordon he is missed everyday and every turnout. . . .Luck on the ad with Geoff you got him from here but you did all the work time and effort.  Me and Gordon just gave you the dog. Gordon would be proud of all your efforts in breeding and promoting the YADKIN RIVER DOGS. . ." (David Gilroy - Maryland, March 2007)

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I was privileged to get to hunt with Gordon's main hunting partners and best friends.  Below are Gary Weller, Donnie Davis, me and David Gilroy (also Gordon's nephew) after a night of hunting in Maryland in October, 2007.

“Just A Dog”

 From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand phases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

 So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they will understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog.” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”

 copied from Versatile Hunting Dog Magazine, February 2006