Missing Hitch

 

My husband and I had to say goodbye last week to our spoiled and protective dog, Hitch. We had three dogs and had to say goodbye to Luke in March. Then Hitch had a cancerous tumor removed, but it came back… with a vengeance.

Hitch was twelve years old. We adopted him when he was four. His story is actually quite amazing. When Hitch was young, before we got him, he lived in Georgia. Someone found him on the side of the highway one day. He had been hit by a vehicle and left for dead. The wonderful animal hospital in GA performed surgery on his leg and he still has the scar today. He spent a month in that hospital. They named him “Hitch” because he was found on the highway… like a hitchhiker.

He was then adopted by a man who adored him, and they later moved to NJ then to NY. Unfortunately, circumstances caused the man to give Hitch up. He just couldn’t take care of him. So, my local animal rescue group, Pause 4 All Paws, contacted me and I said we’d foster him. Of course, we fell in love with him and ended up adopting him. The funny and great thing is that a friend of mine who was a huge part of the P4AP group was Hitch’s grandma! It was her son who couldn’t take care of him anymore. So, she was able to visit him since she lives in the same town as we do.

Hitch became very spoiled with us and super (over)protective of me and the household. He loved to bark at our mailmen (and any trucks that drove by). He was very empathetic. He knew when someone – or one of his brothers – was in pain. He was snuggly and loveable. He was one of my best friends.

Hitch is also one of the stars of my children’s chapter book series, The Border Buddies. 

I told him to greet his brother, Luke, when he crossed the rainbow bridge. I also told him that the first thing I’m going to do when I get to Heaven is call for him and his brothers.

I miss him like crazy, and my heart hurts. But he had a WONDERFUL life with us, and I know he’s no longer in pain.