08/30/2025
Sharing Carissa's love letter to Hank from Before You Go: Love Letters to Senior Dogs — Volume 1. Hank had 14+ years on this planet, and 11+ with Carissa. Holding Carissa in my heart with love, hugs and sympathy for the loss of Hank on Thursday.
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Dear Hank,
You came into my life 10 years ago. I was newly divorced and on my own for the first time. You quickly became the most calming presence in my life! I’d planned on you being my running buddy - but it turned out you were more of a “saunter-and-smell” kind of guy. You knew I needed to down-shift.
Your unconditional, endless love has been constant. You’ve been by my side through everything - and know me better than anyone.
As you turn 13 this year, thoughts of the inevitable sucker punch me more frequently than I want to admit. When they do, I don’t focus on them and instead celebrate you… Your “tap-dancing” at any hour of day when you want a drink, or a treat, or a walk, or just some ear scritches. Your intensity and thoroughness when smelling every single square inch on our walks. Your absolute and utter enjoyment of sub-freezing temperatures. How folks cross the street to avoid (what they see as) your ferociousness - if they only knew you would just lick them to death! Your spot-on ability to detect cheese in the house. Your big, block head resting between my shoulder and the window on our car rides. Your keen sense of when I need a break from work (to give you pets, of course). The goofy look on your face when you lay in your favorite position - on your back with your jowls falling to the floor. Your exquisite manners as you gently take your treats (unless it’s cheese!) Your “boofs” and twitchy legs as you chase the uncatchable squirrels in your dreams. And I can’t forget your big sighs that always draw the comment, “It's hard to be Hank”.
Thanks, Hank, for being the best boy.
Love,
Mom
