I have been so blessed by many things in my life and that includes sharing my home with many wonderful pets through the years. They have always brought me great joy and comforted me in times of need. As any pet lover knows, they seem to sense the need, and answer it so willingly.
Hanna was such a dog. A small West Highland White Terrier who sought my attention from her puppy pen so long ago. She was the tiniest member of her litter mates but her personality was huge. She was quick to learn and loved any type of attention. Hanna loved to perform whether it was in the show ring or at a nursing home, she was always happy for applause.
Diagnosed with kidney disease at a very early age, never stopped Hanna from living her life to the fullest. Among her many nicknames was "Happy Hanna." She was always happy. Her tail was always up and wagging and she sought eye contact to make sure you noticed her. How could any one ignore her, she was "just too damn cute!"
Her book, tentatively titled For the Love of Hanna-It's Okay to Love of a Dog, was actually inspired by her web site of the same name. As I tried to heal from her loss her stories vividly appeared in my mind and subsequently on paper. I decided to create a web site to honor her memory, but it was also an instrument to visually remind me about her many wonderful life stories that sustained and entertained us through the years. Her antics, her pictures, her love, her spirit and strength and her dedication to life has always been an inspiration. I received some nice feedback from readers of her site and was encouraged at how people were touched by her stories and how they readily shared a Hanna story may have sparked a memory of their own departed friend. It was very touching.
And so I began writing and filling pages with Hanna stories-struggles, triumphs, loves, losses, questions, healing and so much more. I have been stuck on the final chapter for some time. This is the place where I am reviewing her medical history and saying final good byes-it is difficult for me to focus as even after a years her loss brings tears. She was so special! Writing her final chapter is like the the emotional finale of her life, I can't help but wonder if my subconscious is clinging to that thought and blocking my words. I continue to tell myself when it is finished she will live on in those pages, just as she, Darby, Trevar, and Kearsey live on in my children's book, The Smith Family's New Puppy.
My goal is to finish that final chapter, edit, and edit again and begin submitting to prospective publishers by the end of this year. My hope for her title is to help others spark memories of their pets and to ideally support their healing and validate some of the feelings that come during a time of loss. Of course, I hope we can make them laugh as well, Hanna was always good at being funny.
I hope you'll visit her site and keep an eye out for her book. Well wishes are always welcome!
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