One of the founding dogs of MARK-9, Hunter, a male German Shepherd, was one of MARK-9's "second chance" dogs, having been rescued at 18 months of age, just two days before he was due to be put to sleep. Hunter repaid the favor by becoming a SAR dog, searching for others. This rescued dog, given up because he was "too big and too active" spent years rescuing others, and he did it his own way — fast, faster, and fastest.

Hunter was the longtime partner of Max Kirk, and one of the founding members of MARK-9, passed away at age 15 Wednesday evening in his yard with both Max and Fleta present. He was laid to rest at his favorite training spot, the Dallas Fire Department's Training Academy, in early May 2007.

During his ten-year career, MARK-9 averaged between 25 and 35 calls a year and Hunter made most of them. He was a member of MARK-9, an original member of TXTF1, and a member of 1SRG, was inducted into the Oklahoma Veterinary Animal Hall of Fame and was a runner up for AkC's Ace Award for Search and Rescue. He searched in Moore,OK after the tornado, in Fort Worth after that tornado, in Del Rio after the flooding, in east Texas after the Columbia space shuttle tragedy and in countless other equally important though lesser known searches throughout North Texas. And he was recognized by police departments and schools for the work he did in children's education.

He's remembered for his big heart and even bigger, sloppier kisses. But his greatest gift is his love and loyalty to his human family and the other search dogs he lived with.

Godspeed, Hunter. You'll be missed.