The Life of Hanna Banana (the squirt)

For the Love of Hanna

The Life of Hanna Banana (the "squirt")

Hanna was affectionately known by many names. Two that she frequently responded to were "Hanna Banana" and "squirt." She seemed to love both and always responded by coming to the caller and or standing in front of the caller looking up and wagging her tail. And some times...she would stretch across the floor on her belly (making a fuss would have her stretching in circles around ones legs). She always made life fun and adventurous.

Hanna preparing to show

Hanna and her first

Group First

A friend, Rori, & Hanna

at training class

Hanna attended numerous obedience classes and learned rather quickly, she loved to perform! Tricks were an exceptional pleasure as she loved the attention. Hanna also was shone in conformation and did quite well, garnering a few group firsts, at Sanctioned Match Shows. Her performance in the ring always drew applause as she would take a stance and perk her head, sending out her signals for everyone to say… “aaahhhhhhhh.” But alas, after two years her owner became too stressed with grooming and competition and both Hanna and her owner retired from showing (much to Hanna’s chagrin).

Hanna and her first

TV experience

Hanna and bubble machine

Hanna exploring

or maybe hiding

Hanna wants to know...

what's in there?

She always loved her presents

Hanna & Kidney Disease

Hanna was diagnosed with kidney disease at approximately 5 months of age, suspect of an adverse reaction to a vaccine. She had several UTI’s early on and after visiting several specialists including a holistic vet and a veterinary acupuncturist, it was determined through extensive lab work and ultrasound that her kidneys were damaged. Hanna, even as “little Hanna,” became a real trooper with taking pills, and learned to open her mouth when requested for a pill. She was prescribed a home made diet and grew and matured very well. She eventually was switched to a high quality dog food food, with careful monitoring of her dietary intake. Hanna remained healthy and active throughout her life. Her kidney levels were checked every few months and she remained very stable with her disease. To see her, one would never know she had an illness.

We followed her disease not only through lab tests but also with ultrasounds, and one kidney biopsy, all revealing the same-kidney disease. But Hanna never knew she had any problems, and continued to enjoy life in her own upbeat manner.

I was told when she was a pup, that her life expectancy may be cut a bit short due to her kidney issues, and that she might succumb/fail at the approximate age of eight. Well Hanna turned eight, and her disease was still stable. Shortly after her eighth birthday, her kidney levels did begin to change, so she was started on enalapril. We purchased a Doppler blood pressure machine to monitor her pressure, which also remained stable.

Hanna did all the things she loved-playing with her Cuz toys, chasing squirrels, performing tricks, snuggling under the blanket, and eating like there was no tomorrow. Her personality was always perky and curious, and she never was down.

In March of 2006 her levels changed once again, and rose a bit more. While she showed no outward signs of illness, we started to become concerned-but not Hanna! She continued on! Over the next few months we had her labs checked regularly, and while there were minor fluctuations, overall she remained stable, and most importantly she remained happy.

On her 12^th birthday, she was diagnosed with pancreatitis and subsequent kidney failure. She spent two nights and three days at an Emergency Hospital, and was eventually sent home with a poor prognosis. However, true to Hanna, she bounced back after a few weeks, and continued her happy fun-loving ways. Her levels once again remained stable and were checked monthly. We had added other treatments including Azodyl, Epakatin, daily sub q treatments, Aluminum Hydroxide, pepcid, and of course, vitamins. She was also placed on a prescription diet, as she developed the pancreatitis when I tried to switch her to a veterinary prescribed homemade diet. She loved the prescription diet especially the “canned portion.” She always was a good eater, and now she was given a special treat of canned food. We provided her not only with several small meals a day to speed her recovery, but we made sure she had plenty of mental stimulation as well. (I am a firm believer in providing the brain with varied input, especially when one (human or furry) is experiencing illness.) So, we took short walks in the morning, to different places, and we always went for a car ride each day. We’d drive through town or mall parking lots just to provide her with different sights. As she continued to heal, walks increased, and rides and visits to new places continued. She loved, as did her other companion friends, to go-and go we did!

In April of 2007, I began to notice some changes; she began to refuse the one prescription canned food, but continued to eat everything else. Each time the canned food was offered, she turned away abruptly. When this first started, I immediately took her for lab levels; they were still stable as before. I was advised to continue to keep her on her diet. I trusted the diet because it helped her before. So I forced the issue somewhat. I began mixing it with a homemade diet. She began to tremble when her food was placed and show a strong aversion to that one food. Now I know that some times kidney disease affects appetites, but why was she only refusing that one food? Two weeks passed, and I returned to her vet with my same concerns. Upon exam he felt she was stable, and did not feel a need to run labs so soon again, since almost three weeks earlier she was stable as before. While totally out of context for her, I thought she was suddenly becoming finicky. The following day, she refused all food except home made. By the following morning, I was determined to have another lab test completed, due to my concern of her not getting sufficient nutrition. The words resonated in my ears-kidney failure! There was a sudden spike in all levels after she began refusing the batch of canned prescription diet. Historically her levels fluctuated slowly and it was always a gradual increase-so why all of a sudden did she spike out of control? I feared this time she would not recover, and she didn’t. With a broken heart, on May 9, 2007, my precious upbeat happy Hanna, was laid to rest.

I now sit in disbelief at the sudden changes that occurred instead of her historically slow peaks and valleys. Why did her course of disease suddenly change? I have my suspicions, and it tears my heart to think, my thoughts are a distinct possibility.

What do you think?

Puppy Hanna when diagnosed

note front paw bandages

Trevar & Hanna enjoying the day w/us at the Pet

Expo-three days before she had to leave us

Hanna 12 years later + -her front paws shaved once

again for treatment

Reindeer Dogs

Darby, Trevar, & Hanna

Hanna & The Claus

As Hanna began to heal from her bout of pancreatitis and kidney failure (December 2006), we took every opportunity to provide her with a variety of stimulation. I have always been a firm believer in providing numerous forms of visual, physical, and emotional interactions in helping the body, human or furry, heal. It is my belief that when the brain and body sees and feels differences, a variety of inputs help the rest of the body focus on new and exciting adventures, perhaps providing some relief from an ailment or worry. Stimulation gives the mind and body something different to think about and “take in.”

So with this theory in mind, we headed downtown to our small community for the Santa Claus Parade. Surely the fire engine sirens, marching bands, and crowds of people and children would provide substantial input and excitement. (My dogs are not intimated and are well socialized, so the noises do not affect them in a negative manner)

Trevar (our Scottie) and Hanna, donned their red Christmas sweaters for a cold trip to the center square to await the arrival of Santa Claus. Hanna enjoyed the sites as she happily wagged her tail at people passing by. And oh when someone spoke to the dogs, both dogs responded gleefully!

It was a brisk December night, and we were filled with emotion, as we were unsure how much longer Hanna might be with us. We knew that time may be short, due to her illnesses, but remained hopeful she would continue to heal, and ideally spend Christmas with us.

We found ourselves at the center square in our town, sharing space with excited children, talkative families, and plenty of noise and lights. The dogs seem to take it all in, as with each fire truck that passed, their interest and attention perked. It appeared that some fire fighters blew their sirens for the dogs, as they looked directly at them standing on the curb, noticed their keen attention, and bellowed their horns. With our encouragement both dogs usually responded with a terrier stance and a tail wag. The bands marched by and the drums vibrated our feet. Hanna (and Trevar) didn’t miss one bit of the parade.

The humans were getting cold, but Santa had not yet arrived. As the dogs watched the parade, neither barked nor showed any sign of fear-it was as if they wanted to see what was coming next. And then finally…the fire truck bringing Santa was coming our way!

With humor, we kept saying “here he comes, maybe he’ll have presents” (knowing that the word “presents” in our house always received an excited dog response). The sirens started to blow continuously and children cheering could be heard in sequence as Santa made his way down the street. Finally Santa was in front of our spot. Hanna pulled to the end of her leash and began barking at him and wagging her tail. We were amazed at her attention. Santa in his bright red and white suit sitting atop a blaring fire truck saw Hanna. He looked right at her, and sent her and Trevar a hearty wave and a robust smile. Hanna responded by tugging to get closer, wagging her tail, and barking in her happy tone. She saw Santa, and he saw her! The night was emotional, and just helped us realize even more, how much Hanna attended to and loved life. She filled our hearts that night with her uncanny spirit of hope and love, giving us a treasured memory to last a life time. We had a wonderful Christmas that year, and we were blessed to have Hanna with us. Her usual holiday spirit filled our home and our lives as always.

Christmas will never be the same without her. Our joy was in having her for Christmas, her joy was in living. We are blessed by the many outstanding memories of an extraordinary friend-what a treasure to our hearts and a comfort to our grief. “Hanna and the Claus” will always hold a special place in our vast treasury of Hanna memories.

Hanna's 1st Christmas

Hanna's 12th Birthday

Celebrated 19 days after her birthday

Reflections of Happy Birthdays

As I reflect on years gone by on this date, I have to smile. November first is Hanna’s birthday. It is was always a joy to see her reactions as her birthday was announced first thing in the morning, and she was told there would be presents. Her immediately reaction was eye contact and a happy tail wag.

She would frequent the “present room” in search of presents throughout the day, but alas they were always well hidden. Some times I would feel eyes upon me only to look down and find Hanna staring at me as if to say, “Hey where are my presents?” When told she would have to wait, she would often spin into a three sixty, and eventually retreat to my side, only to go through the same routine periodically throughout the day. Of course I encouraged this as well, by asking her “Whose birthday is today?” and excitedly repeating “Oh boy presents!” Hanna loved presents and was always a willing participant in opening her own gifts or others.

I’ve always been amazed at the level of comprehension of this dog throughout her life. My words to her always seemed to have some meaning. She would actually follow conversations often by turning to the individual speaker and tilting her head. Hanna was always “in” on everything. She participated in life to the fullest, beyond the comprehension and much to the amazement of humans. Hanna was “game” for anything and left everyone know she was always “ready.”

As I look back to November 1, 2006, my heart becomes heavy, as we awoke that morning with anticipation of her birthday celebration that evening. However, as evening approached Hanna began throwing up. She was rushed to our vet and diagnosed with pancreatitis, and her kidney levels were rising. It was a double heart break day as she spent her birthday in the hospital and the fear of losing her became a reality. A few days later she was rushed to an emergency hospital with kidney failure, and any hopes of birthday celebrations were crushed. Fear became a reality as her levels were unchanged and she was sent home with a poor prognosis.

But Hanna, resilient Hanna, proved the doctors all wrong! She began to recover and her kidney levels came down. She never lost her spirit throughout the illness. We celebrated her 12^th birthday, nineteen days after her actual birthday. Of course presents, pictures, and candles and cake (which she did not receive) were welcomed by her with great excitement. Ironically as I set-up her birthday photos in my photo program, I noticed on the one picture where Hanna sat ever so proudly behind her lit candles and cake, that there was an obvious tear coming from the outside of her right eye. I cried at that discovery. While I cognitively assume dogs are not capable of crying like humans, that sight made me wonder. Hanna was very smart and intuitive-did she know her time may be limited? That thought and reflection still brings me to tears.

So we celebrated Hanna’s 12^th birthday nineteen days later, and she enjoyed each gift, and all of the attention. She filled our hearts with her spirit and love for life.

Today November 1, 2007, was to be Hanna’s 13^th birthday. There was no gleeful response when I awoke to announce it was a “birthday.” No “present room” was checked, and the birthday chair remains empty today. Instead of happily celebrating a special day, tears overwhelm. I miss my girl, and her zest for celebrations. Hanna’s day will now have to be remembered in our hearts, forever and until we meet again.

Happy Birthday Squirt! We miss you every day and in every way!

More sharing to come!

We are blessed by those we allow to touch our lives-D. Smith-Mansell

Copyright notice: All information, stories, and photos are copyrighted to the owner. Please refrain from using any material without written consent. Thank you!