Prominent veterinarian Lou Vine has died. Dr. Vine was one of Chapel Hill’s most prominent and colorful local figures during his 40 years of practice here. His first book, DOGS IN MY LIFE, published in 1961, was widely acclaimed in the United States and Great Britain and has been translated into several European languages, as were many of his subsequent books.

He was also well known for his devotion to Carolina Basketball, as he and UNC basketball coach Frank McGuire were regarded as each other’s best friend. Dr. Lou Vine had retired to Myrtle Beach, where he died on Thursday, at the age of 92.