Thank You

I received many kind words and warm thoughts about the passing of Hanzie, through my blog, my facebook page, personal phone calls, and text messages. 

I hadn't realized how many people knew Hanzie, and those that knew him best, had a story to tell and it usually included some laughter. He could be a little character. 

It is quieter around here without him -- and I mean that literally. But also, quieter in that his presence is not there when I look on the sofa, or the dog bed, or outside where he'd like to lay in the warmth of the sun. 

I don't fully understand why it happened, but do we ever? One minute he was barking and running around and then not too long after, he was gone. 

I think I've stopped questioning myself and what I could have done differently. I think we all do that when a loved one passes, whether it be a human or an animal friend. The task is to get through it. 

A friend wrote these words to me that she remembered a saying she saw...."Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened." I feel my smile beginning to return. 

A Very Sad Day...Saying Goodbye to Hanzie

A very sad day today. My silly Hanzie boy had his last morning with me. At around 10 a.m. I had to let him go.

April 12, 2004 - September 24, 2013

For the nine years that I have had him, he was notorious for eating things other than just food. I called him 'my little man with an iron stomach.' He'd dine on paper, cardboard, plastic, mushrooms in the backyard and apparently something like string, yarn or dental floss. And this was his demise. It perforated his bowel. An emergency vet visit this morning, he went into septic shock, and there was no hope for him. I had to say good-bye. Not easy. My happy-but-whiney little boy that never had to go to the vet for anything other than a teeth cleaning, made his last visit.

He would be so happy to see people, giving them his smile and teeth chatter that those who didn't know him thought he wanted to bite them. It was his happy face. He loved to be hugged and touched, that was heaven to him.

I rescued Hanzie when he was 5 months old. He spent over 9 years with me, graciously accepting each and every foster dog that came in, (around 85+) even if he wasn't keen on all of them. He would protect Little Bug if he needed to, but I always referred to him as a lover, not a fighter. He talked to me regularly, usually to tell me he was hungry, or to give him attention instead of whichever other dog I was petting at the time, and sometimes just because he was so excited. He was so polite when it came to feeding or treat time. He would patiently sit at a sit/stay until I gave him the word 'eat.' Sometimes his little tongue would stick out a bit and he'd drool from desire. He loved to eat, any amount was never enough, he was always hungry.

This photo of him is one of the last that I've taken, a few weeks ago. He was the only dog with me while on vacation at our campsite. He was such a good boy and often went to his favorite spot...his crate in the back of the car. He would just sit and watch the world go by and when the sun would hit, he lay in it in all it's glory. He loved being at camp, meeting and greeting, taking walks and wandering around in the wooded areas near our site. But his favorite place of all time was in a vehicle, it didn't matter who's or where it was.

He spent most of yesterday in the truck while I was going in and out of the house all day. When left in the house, he would get anxious and barky when I'd go outside, so in the truck he went. He was thrilled. He got to bark at passers by and just lay and take naps, then when I took him inside, he had a big dinner. It is hard to believe that today, he is gone.

I will miss my silly little boy. Rest in peace my sweet Hanzie.  

Hanzie's Favorite Spot At Camp

He stands at the back of my car barking at me to open the door so he can jump into his crate.

Most times the crate door can be left open but when there's other dogs around it's best to close it. He doesn't care either way. It's his safe haven. 

Hanzie and Bug Chillin'

On the way to camp. 

Hanz was so happy. I've been leaving them behind and every Friday they know we're off to camp, because the bags get packed and lined up by the door. Hanz cries really loud when I close the door behind me. Heartbreaking. Well, this time, there was no crying. He's a happy camper. (no pun intended) :)

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

These two can often be found snuggled together whether it be on the dog bed, the sofa or the Man chair...

New Haircuts

They were fuzz balls, I couldn't take it anymore. Out came the clippers. I love when they have their Schnauzer cuts. They are smooth and silky. Bug looks so tiny in comparison to when it's longer and curly. Hanz will definitely be living by the wood stove for warmth...time for the sweater to come out for him. 

My Sweet Boy Turns 8 This Month

I think it's so cute when he sleeps and his little tongue sticks out...

...and how he tucks himself up into a little package.

Freekibble Giveaway

I answered my daily Freekibble questions and they're also having a give-a-way --- 5,000 pieces of kibble to your favorite shelter if you win. To enter you have to send in a limerick, poem, rap, etc. with 50 words or less about the pets in your family.

I sent this:

Two little Schnauzers

yes they are

they run and play

and like rides in the car. 

Big boy Hanz

is whiney and needy

Little Bug got her name

'cuz she's nosey and speedy.

Because of them

I've made this rhyme

Oh how I love them

I'm glad they're mine. 

Silly, maybe even a little juvenile...I'm sure they will not choose the winners for content...hmmmmm, or will they? Well, either way, it'd be fun to be able to donate food to a shelter, the hard part would be choosing which one!

Hanzie and Bug in Nantucket

He had a tough time being there...

and she couldn't stand it...

Life is so tough. 

A few needed days away. More pics to come. 

I didn't do it...

Hanz is such a worrier...then there's Bug with none. He's so pathetic it's cute.

Playing with the Webcam

I've owned this computer for over 2 years and I used the webcam once. This morning, with Hanz and Bug snuggled up against me, Bug's Head on top of Hanz's, I wanted to catch the image. By the time I figured out how to use it (which really only took a few minutes) the characters repositioned themselves. 

Hanz has that look on his face -- what the? what the?...

 Bug, of course, has to scope things out....

 ...figures everything's cool and settles back in. 

Dog Sitting Bella

Well, Bella came by for a few days of pouting visiting. 

The good girl that she is, she fell right in line with the other lazy bums....

Bella, ignoring me

My Hanzie, he's permanent, and oh what a poser!

Frank and Tink, foster dogs, loving the heat from the stove.

Tink gave her the 'what for' from the moment she walked in, Bella was not amused... 

oh my, Bella, what big white teeth you have. 

After she left, I spent almost 2 hours vacuuming up Black Lab fur. A reminder as to why I have non-shedding dogs.