Animal Stories - Hannah

Dear Friends and Family,
 
It is with a heavy heart that we send this news.  Our dearest sweet dog, Hannah, died on Friday, June 15, 2007.  These photos were taken on her last day with us.

She took a turn for the worse during that last week, getting weaker each day.   Walking and getting around was getting to be too hard for her. Though she tried to hang on, her spirit was leaving her a little each day.  Jay and I spent a beautiful last day together with her at Homer Lake watching the geese and walking the lakeshore.    Then she rested most of the day.  That evening she was put to sleep, euthanized, in her favorite napping spot in our sun room.  She was ready to say good-bye.  We weren’t, but had to anyway. 
 
My heart hurts.  We miss her terribly.  But it was the only right and kind thing to do.  She had a wonderful long and happy life.  We are grateful for the time we have shared on this earth together.  We are also grateful for the Champaign County Humane Society for allowing us to adopt such a treasure fifteen years ago.  And to our wonderful vet, Dr. Dust, whose care was outstanding to the end.
 
Sincerely,

 Donna

Update

I just wanted to share pictures of our dog Hannah on her 15th birthday!  My nieces (Rosie and Sarah) and I have figured out she is 105 in “people years”!!

She has been such a joy in our family, and often a reminder of the simple pleasures of life.   She is doing pretty well, considering she has degenerative myelopathy (like MS in people).   She has problems with balance, and falls (more like “sits down”) often. Some days are better than others.  She uses a ramp to get up and down our few stairs.   But she still walks every day and enjoys her life. 

I know her time with us will soon come to an end, so we try to cherish what time we have left.  We have been so blessed by the company of this sweet creature.  So, I just wanted to celebrate her birthday with you!
 
Love,
Donna

Hannah - 2005

What can I tell you about Hannah without writing pages and pages?

She was relatively easy to train.  I didn’t know anything about dogs, so I had to scramble and learn.  She has a feisty spirit, and it showed during her puppy days. One of the best things we did was take a puppy training class with her when she was 6 months old.  It gave us and her some needed basics of good dog discipline. She’s a delight to this day, although as she ages, she has developed special needs.  She’s hard of hearing, and has some hip problems.  But that’s just part of having a long time companion and family pet. 
 
Favorite snacks: broccoli stalks; carrot chunks; big biscuits; pressed rawhide; liver treats.
 
Favorite places to walk:  Meadowbrook Park; Brown County State Park, Indiana; anywhere as long as we’re walking.
 
Unusual talents: She used to sing when anyone played the harmonica…she just seemed to be moved by the sound.She has a job of “recycling” in our home.  When there is a milk carton, cardboard box or tube that she sees, she gets excited because she gets to chew and gnaw on it. Then she brings it to us, to put away and gets a reward.

She can play “hide and seek” with her stuffed toys.  We tell her to wait while one of us goes to hide it in another room, then when we say “okay” she runs into the other room to find it.

She LOVES presents, especially at Christmas.  She knows that she always gets something and once our tree is up and gifts under it, she is like a little kid.  When gifts are being given out, she gets excited and paces and sniffs the gifts, can’t wait to get hers.  She needs help unwrapping of course, but she seems to know exactly that these gifts are especially for her.  So on birthdays or when one of us comes back from a trip, and we forget to give her something, she’ll act disappointed and mope for awhile under the dining room table. 
 
Dislikes: thunder storms (developed in her older years); having me or my husband leave for a trip; baths and grooming.
 
She is my buddy now, as both our boys are away at college.  We walk everyday, in the warm weather twice a day.  We both love our walks.  In the past 13+ years, we have taken over 7000 walks!     
 
At age 13 years and 9 months….she still has a feisty puppy spirit at times.  She is loving, sweet, affectionate, and very much a part of our family.
Sincerely,
Donna Hoeflinger