The Story of A Dog Named Henry Aaron

Hank is The Boy's dog. He and his girl were at his house, and I was over there fixing something and visiting one day. We went to lunch, and The Boy announced he wanted a dog. He had been wanting one for awhile, and was telling us how ready he was to have a dog now.

By the time we got to the Humane Society, they were closing their doors for the day. We stopped and bought a newspaper to look at the pet ads. In the parking lot, with each of us scanning the sections carefully, there was one that stood out. A two to three year old terrier mix mutt was at an animal hospital in the area. They were opened for another two hours, and we had time to go by and take a look at the dog.

The three of us waited patiently in the small room. The door opened and a very talkative young lady came in. She told us the story of this dog being abandoned because the owners were arrested for having a meth lab in their home. When the junkies were released from jail on bond, they realized they could no longer have the dog, so they asked the vet to take him. She also told us the details of the previous owners, with their gray skin and sunken eyes from the drugs.

This dog had been tied up outside, all of his short life. He was missing his two front top as well as his two front bottom teeth, from either trying to eat rocks to keep from not being fed or trying to chew himself free. He had mange and heart worms. He had not been fed and was so thin, his ribs and organs showed through the skin on his body. The collar had scarred his neck from the constant pulling. Because of malnutrition, he had lost all of his hair. When we met him, the vet had had him about three months, and he was regaining his health. The vet neutered the dog and nursed him back. By the time we all met, he had gained some weight, and was stable. All of these things tugged at The Boy's heart.

When I first saw him, I had peaked out the door, as The Boy and his girl sat waiting. The aide was walking him down the hall towards our little room. My first thought was "What a scruffy mutt! He's perfect for The Boy!" And he was. All of us immediately fell in love with him. He immediately jumped on her lap and licked her face, then did the same when he met The Boy. The Boy thought the name "Cody" was not suitable for him. He renamed him Henry Aaron. Yup, after his all time favorite baseball hero. He calls him Hank, and his name fits him well. He's the underdog that came out on top in the end.

They left for Florida today, to celebrate graduating college together, and asked me to take Hank and watch him for a week. He knew I wouldn't turn him down. I like dog sitting, especially with nice dogs. With the old girl dog upstairs, I made the basement office comfortable for Hank. This dog is amazing and has a very sweet disposition. He is the most lovable dog I think I've ever met. With everything humans have done to this poor creature, he has the best attitude in the world and loves everyone he comes in contact with. He just wants to be petted and loved. That's all he every really wanted - all along.

Hank and I took a mile walk today, just after the rain stopped. He was well behaved and listened to my commands. When a car came, I'd take in the leash and hold onto him, while the car passed. A smile and wave to the driver for being cautious and we continued walking. He was relaxed when the neighbor's golden retriever began to growl and bark. He kept walking, because I kept walking. He trusts me completely.

It seemed like an easier lesson for Hank to learn than it was for me. Recently, I've just let my heart forgive horrible events from my childhood. Reconciliation was even more difficult for me, but after many years, I think I've finally gotten there. With his loving ways, Hank is showing me my thoughts are in the right place now. It just takes enough love in your life to get there. It doesn't matter what happened in the past, and, just like Hank, the present is where I need to live.