Hank - August 24, 2003 - June 11, 2014

I always knew this day would come but I didn't quite know how hard it would be.  Our dear Hank died suddenly this morning about 9:00.  He had not been 100% for some time and we had him in to see the vet twice in the last couple weeks.  We are still waiting to get the results of his valley fever test, a fungal infection common in the desert.  But this day is tough.  My heart is heavy and the tears won't stop.  I have thanked God for not letting him suffer long....one of my prayers as I saw him go through some difficult days.  I'm also grateful that he died at home in his own bed with no artificial intervention.  He has been an amazing dog.  Smart, funny, beautiful.  He loved car rides and was the best traveler.  It didn't matter how many hours he was in the back seat when we traveled and he was content in any hotel room.  Going to town in BJ's truck was always a highlight and recently I started taking him more often in my car as he just seemed to enjoy it so.  He loved putting his head out the window and always on the lookout for deer.  The joy he exhibited after our travels didn't matter if it was a couple weeks or a few hours.  After some of our longer trips when he was at the sitter, we were always so very excited to come home and see him again knowing the welcome we would receive.    He loved carrots.  He would come over to the counter when I started peeling them and wait patiently.  We eat them every night before dinner and he always got a couple.   These pictures have been in my blog before and were taken on his tenth birthday.  Oh Hank, the joy you gave us.

There was always a quest to find sunshine

We wrapped him in a soft blanket and buried him on the property this morning near the cedar trees in light of the morning sun.  Thank you, Hank, for all the sunshine you brought into our lives.