#070 Hank

Hank

Hank
GSRNE #070
1996 – 2008  

I was researching German Shepherd Rescue in the US since there were no groups in Canada at that time and found the very best in New England – that’s where I saw Hank.   Somehow that boy knew he was destined to be with Rob.  I’m not quite sure how he did it, but after a few weeks and many many email messages and phone calls, and a 24-hour drive from Toronto to New England and back, the adoption was complete.

From the minute Hank laid eyes on Rob, no one else in the universe existed for him (other than the nice lady who filled his dishes every day, took him for walks and gave him his special treats).  Everyone in the neighborhood knew about Hank as soon as he “came home”.  He was sure that everyone walking by the house or coming to the door were there to see him and he loved everyone.  Hank welcomed us home every day for more than 8 yrs squeaking his favorite toy; always with an enthusiastic story to tell about the mailman’s visit and what his other dogs and cats had been doing while we were out!

One of his very favorite things was to hang out with the guys & watch a game on TV.  Hank had his own special chair and if there wasn’t enough seating guests would sit on the floor – no one would sit in Hank’s chair without his okay.  We soon found out that our boy had a particularly special talent; he could tell me when his daddy was about 10 minutes away from the house which was amazing, since Rob never came home at the same time.  It didn’t matter if he had been away business, attending a late meeting, or golfing …. Hank knew when he was near…a psychic link, a bond that will never be broken.  Even if Rob was in a plane, Hank would start to pace just about the time he was coming in for a landing; then the whining would begin in earnest when he was 10 minutes from the front door.  I now have to rely on a phone call since Degenerative Myelopathy robbed me of my “early warning” alert.

A very BIG thanks to Janice Ritter for having faith in us and breaking the rules just this once so that we could share our life with this extraordinary boy.

Nancy & Rob Clements, Toronto, Canada.