Nancy has the full attention of both the 6-year-old and the 16-year-old. Or, the treat does.
My Seeing Eye dog Whitney and I took an Amtrak train to Central Illinois Monday to give a presentation to an animal sciences class at the University of Illinois. While there in Urbana, we looked in on retired Seeing Eye dog Hanni. Her human companions Nancy and Steven report The 16-year-old star of Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound is still going strong.
Steven and Nancy hosted their families for Thanksgiving this year and headed to Homer Lake at a nearby forest reserve afterward to walk their dinner off. Hanni came along, and when they took her leash off, she took off for a run.
“Well,” Nancy conceded. “It was more of a lope.” Hanni suffers from joint pain in her back hips, but Steven says the female Golden Retriever/Black Lab cross is still determined to go for runs around the lake. “She’s learned to lift up both back legs together and hop while she pulls herself ahead with her front legs,” he marveled. “She ran like a rabbit for more than a mile!”
I hope that Whitney ceded to her elder and let Hanni have that treat!
You have got to be kidding.
Sent from my iPhone, aren’t you impressed?
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We have such wonderful memories of our sweet 85 lb boy,Vim. He was completely under the leadership and control of his 6lb sister, Pippilotta. They adored each other. What a funny duo they made.
Lucky dogs!
Sent from my iPhone, aren’t you impressed?
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Heartwarming!
Yes! We should’ve titled this post heartwarming Hanni hops.
Sent from my iPhone, aren’t you impressed?
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She looks great. So good to know she is fully enjoying her retirement.
Nice to hear that Hanno is doing well.
Yes, and Whitto is, too!
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Miss you Hanni I loved your book. Whitney is also doing a wonderful job of “seeing ” for Beth. Have a great Christmas. From your Orlando fan!
You have a great Christmas too, Charlene! You knew Hanni when she was very, very young…great to have her doing well in her Golden, ahem, years.
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I can’t believe she’s sixteen! I hope my dogs live that long.
Yes. We are very fortunate –she’ll be 17 in February!.
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My chihuahuas turned 15 this year and after a spinal injury, one has taught himself the “hop” too! I love it because it shows how resilient dogs are…and their amazing, incredible love of life!
Resilient is right!
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[…] hotel in Milwaukee. This followed a lovely Christmas Eve spent eating Chinese food with our friends Steven and Nancy, who were visiting from Urbana, followed by a lovely performance by Tammy McCann and a great trio […]
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