A tribute to a lost family member.

A friend of mine suggested I put this post together. On Tuesday, November 19th 2013 we lost our loving dog Hannah.

She was a very special dog. A purebred rottweiler, she spent the first part of her life in a cage and was eventually scheduled to be destroyed because she wouldn't breed. She was saved and through a series of events she ended up at the vet we took our previous dogs to. They contacted my parents and after a brief interview, they adopted her. She was one of the sweetest animals I have ever met, always friendly almost to a fault. Her capacity to hug would sometimes push people right over and she would give kisses to the point where my folks were fond of saying thier dog cannot control her "licker". Evidence of trauma from her time in the pen would show up but gradually faded over time as she began to feel safe and loved. You could also see evidence of her isolation as she would often entertain herself with her toys.

Gradually over time she developed a type of blindness that is sometimes found in the rottweiler breed. She lived with this condition for quite some time. However, as time went on, she began to have a more difficult time standing up and developed other, more problematic health issues until eventually she went on to spread happiness in a different world. The veterinarian and his staff sent my folks a very special sympathy card.

She was indeed special. She wasn't just an animal, a dog or a pet; she was an significant member of our family and the ache that is left by her passing is only bearable with the memories we shared with her. It is my sincerest wish for anyone who has a non-human family member to cherish the time you have with them. They make your life better. I know this because Hannah made the lives of all that knew her better. We miss you puppy.