Henry's story continues................
Dear Julie,
One year ago today you drove to Valparaiso, Indiana and rescued our dog
Henry on the day he was scheduled to be euthanized. We will celebrate
this day each year as his birthday. Today is the day he was reborn and
given the chance, thanks to you, for a whole new life. We would like to
thank you and tell you that in the life of this one dog you made the
difference to him between life and death. God will reward you for the
selflessness and caring that you have shown but we want to acknowledge
that also. This is what your rescue program is all about.
When they found him he was dirty and sick with heartworm. You spent
months nursing this loving and beautiful dog back to health before he
came to us. You should see him now! I just came from standing at my
front door and watching him playing in the snow. It was such a beautiful
sight that I actually ran and got my camera. There he stood, black as
coal against the glistening new snow with his face all white! He just
buries his whole head in the snow and grabs a big mouthful. He was
prancing around and jumping through the snow, but, he spends most of his
time chasing and jumping on our other dog, Hondo. What great fun they
have together. They run along side each other and bite at each others
necks. You should see them! And watching it all with great amusement, is
always our 4 year old daughter Emily. She ADORES Henry. He tolerates
her! She is constantly trying to hug him, dress him and do whatever else
strikes her as amusing at the time. We watched them very carefully in
the beginning but I think now that he loves her constant attention-most
of the time anyway. Emily and Henry are buddies. But above all else he
loves my husband Doug. He practically worships him. He watches every
move he makes. He was supposed to be MY dog but I've accepted that I
come in second!
Henry still sleeps on his back with his legs up in the air. He craves
constant attention. He loves to run free. He's never growled at anyone
although I can see his hesitation with strangers. He is a great watch
dog. Every time the doorbell rings he barks-even if it's on T.V. But
above all, he loves to ride in cars. He gets so excited if he thinks
he's going to go for a ride that he jumps in circles. Once he gets in
the car we can't get him out. Sometimes we open up the back door of
Doug's squad car, where his police K-9 usually sits, and let him "load
up" and pretend that he's a police dog. He would do well as a working
dog we think. Having a job would help use up some of his endless energy!
We did discover Henry is NOT a dog who enjoys swimming.
I just asked Emily what she would like to tell you about Henry. She said
to tell you that he's she loves him and that he's a good dog. Then she
said to tell you that he loves it here.
Thank you Julie. And thank you Brad Howard for the months you cared for
Henry during his heartworm treatment. It was so worth it. I think Henry
is lucky to be with us and I know that we are lucky to have him in our
lives.
Eileen Haskell
20 January 2000
Henry's buddy Hondo had to retire not long after Henry arrived. Hondo's handler, Doug, was fostering 2 Malinois puppies at the time. One of them became a police K9 in Colorado. The other? Digger became the next police K9 in Doug's life!
