On October 6th 2020, my right hand in canine form left the mortal realm to shepherd souls in the afterlife.
I didn’t appreciate how much he did for me both physically and emotionally until he was gone. He left suddenly and the crater he left behind in my life is meteor sized (think Tunguska).
My plan is to release my nonfiction book about him on the anniversary of his death this year, but it’s taking me longer to finish than I expected. The first draft was all about me – and who wants to read that! – so the second draft is rightly focused on Hans, but edits are proving difficult because I cry when I’m working on the book. I’m not talking about gentle, womanly tears either. My tears are so torrential that I often can’t see through them (have to blink fast to clear my vision like high speed car windscreen wipers during a storm).
Whether I publish the book this year or not, I want to set up a lasting legacy in memory of Hans that helps animals, and people, and people with their animals, because that’s how Hans would like to be remembered (if he had any say in the matter). He looked out for everyone, no matter the species.
While I’d love to set up a grant or something, I don’t have any money to do that (this year). My other thought was an anthology of animal focused speculative fiction with proceeds going to charity, but I know I couldn’t put one together.
If you have an idea for how I could honour Hans’s memory and help others at the same time, I’d be very grateful to hear it.
Iseult Murphy 
Oh goodness, just reading this post made me teary eyed. I can’t imagine what you are going through. Hang in there! Perhaps you could donate half your proceeds from Incredible Mr. Hans to charity and specifically advertise it that way to attract the attention of dog lovers everywhere.
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Thank you, Priscilla. That’s a great idea. I think I’ll pick a charity that trains assistance dogs, because dogs provide such help and support to people with so many different disabilities. I better start researching!
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It must be a difficult book to write, but it’s a fitting tribute to a wonderful dog. I like your anthology idea, but if any idea comes to me, I will let you know.
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Thank you, Valinora. It is always a possibility in the future. Let me know if you think of anything!
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If you need a hand Iseult to proof read or edit (correct apostrophe’s and s’tuff) then don’t he’sitate to a’sk. I’m ‘sitting here ba’sking in winter not doing much!
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Oh Bruce, you are the best. Thank you so much. ❤️
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I can’t imagine how hard this is for you. I’ve had many pets, but there was one dog named Roscoe who was “the dog of my life.” It’s been 7 or 8 years since he passed, and I still emotional about him. It’s a brave and noble thing you’re doing, and as difficult as it might be, I think it will ultimately help you heal.
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Thank you, Christa. You know what it’s like to have that special connection. I love and miss my other departed animal friends, but Hans was so special.
You’re right, it helps me to write about him and I hope his story will help or at least entertain other people when they get to read it.
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Wow, what a book and what a canine. You remind me of the poem written by Lord Byron for his dog.
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Thank you. That’s so kind of you to say. ❤️
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