Good-bye Hank

While living in Germany in 2006, I decided that I needed a dog. The only problem with that was that Germans wouldn't allow Americans to adopt pets from their animals shelters. They figured the dogs were better off living in shelters than living with American military families. I can't blame them for feeling that way. I had a choice between two dogs at a military vet, a little dog and Shadow, an 8-year-old golden retriever/chow mix with an abused past. I prefer big dogs, so I chose Shadow. I renamed him Hank and made him my own.
We took our morning walks around Gumbsheim.
After work and on weekends, we went for long walks through the vineyards.
It wasn't recommended to have Hank around children, so when Nathan was born, he went to live with Paw-Paw and Lady. After several attempts, he finally found his forever home with them. It was sad to have to give him up, but knowing how Paw-Paw and Lady treat their pets, I knew he would be happier there.

Nathan gets a kick out of seeing dogs riding in cars, so he thought it would be fun to take "his" dogs for a ride too.

We made the most of his "good" days.

Hank had been silently suffering for a couple of weeks. He tried his best to hide the fact that he didn't feel well, but we knew better. He had an obstruction in his stomach (possibly a tumor) that wasn't allowing him to digest any food. Despite him not feeling well, he tried his best to continue to keep up with the fun. It just wasn't the same though. Hank passed away today at the age of 12. The joy that he brought to our lives is well worth the sadness in the end. We miss you, Hanky.

Hank Haggerty

October 17, 1997 - June 24, 2010