Hermione grabbed my heart and never let it go. When I saw her photo on the website of the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control in April 2013, she was the right size and breed to be the little girl dog I sought to be Huck’s pal. I visited her, was a bit hesitant to commit, but Ashley provided the “push” I needed to bring Hermione home.

Her pure white fur with brown spots was so soft it comforted me to hug her.  She tugged on her leash during all our walks because she always wanted to be ahead of us.  Now she is leading the way through her transition.

She was Huck’s buddy and love.  We miss her so much already, and he looks for her in all the dogs we meet on our walks. Hermie is irreplaceable.

Hermione loved to sleep in our bed and had no qualms about positioning herself, the smallest of us, in the center of the bed forcing us to sleep around her. Somehow, we snuggled together, and we all slept well.

Hermie was fierce and brave and never stopped defending her home and family.  She was always on alert, and she loved to bark at the neighbor dogs, especially the dogs two doors south of us.  When we walked past their house, Hermie would look to their gate, hoping to get a glimpse of them so she could continue the conversation. Sometimes she would look at houses where dogs had previously lived but moved away. She continued to look for them and I would say, “Hermie, they moved, and the new owners don’t have dogs.” It never stopped her from looking for them. She knew her neighborhood dogs and families.

Hermione also knew when anyone was walking on the sidewalk behind our wall.  She would bark at them until they passed.  And, she would bark and chase any bird, no matter the size, who dared to land in our backyard.  It was her home and these intruders were not invited.

Sharing our mornings on the patio, sipping coffee, watering plants, and watching the sunrise with her were truly precious moments.

In the early years, Hermie was so small she escaped a few times from her harness during our walk.  Despite my panic, I was able to coax her back to me. Once on the grass near the small playground on the walk to Hull, Hermie found a sandwich. I tried to get it out of her mouth and I learned quickly that once she had her teeth into something, it was not coming out. She taught me to preview our path and avoid any food or trash.

You could say Hermie had a hunger for life, she loved her treats and I loved to give them to her. She was loyal and loving, and if she ever sat in your lap, you would experience her “sneaky kisses.” Nothing compares to that kiss.

Although she has passed, her spirit lingers here with us. I know she is safe with Harrison.  I love that little girl and always will.