[Dailydrool] January 1, 2011 Calendar Girl

[Pam Farris]

Today's calendar girl is Hannah, my heart dog, who went to heaven on August 29th.  It is still almost impossible to say those words.  Hannah was with me through many sad times in my life, her fluffy fur drying many tears over the years and for that I am eternally grateful.  My beautiful girl had been in a slow decline over the past year or so and being one that believes it is better for them to go a day too early than a day too late, it was a constant worry about doing the right thing by her.
 
Ironically she died in her sleep of heart failure while I was in the hospital with what was suspected to be a heart attack.  I like to believe that even in the end, she was looking out for me as two weeks prior I had said to my sister that I wished Hannah would just not wake up one morning rather than me having to make the decision about choosing the right time to help her to the bridge.  My pet sitter, who was caring for the rescue bassets and who is a  tech for our vet, had taken Hannah home with her since she wasn't eating and that is where she died.  I am so grateful that she didn't die alone.  Our vet lives nearby and came over but there was nothing that could be done as she was gone. I am sure that it was God's design that it happen this way - I was distracted from my grief by all that was happening to me while in the hospital so I have had the opportunity for it to slowly sink in.
 
I am so thankful that I had her for 13 years.  She was at least 16 years old and was loved by everyone that met her.  She was a basset/border collie cross who had the 'queen of all things surveyed" personality and was so funny.  If I could have cloned her and her personality I could have been a wealthy woman because everybody wanted one just like her.  She traveled all around the country accompanying my daughter and myself to horse competitions and had quite a following at the various venues.

So thank you my dear Hannah, you enriched my life beyond description and I'll miss you until we meet again.

I spent an hour or so changing over my Daily Drool calendar to the 2011 one and looking at each day again.  It is so much fun to read about the bassets and to put names with faces.  I also pick out the really good names I come across to use for our rescue bassets - Droolers are much better than I am at naming them.  Thanks Ellie and the calendar elves for such an amazing product, year after year.  
 
Happy New Ears everybody and cherish each moment you have with your hound.
 
Pam Farris
Basset Rescue of Florida, Inc.
www.BassetRescueFlorida.com