In Loving Memory of Penny Connell, a Beautiful and Sweet Cocker Spaniel

 Over the years HART has adopted out thousands of dogs and cats.  What we strive to find for each and every dog and cat is a home where they are a loved and cherished member of the family.  Once we are find these homes, we love getting updates about how the dog or cat is doing.  We never tire from hearing the stories about how their dog or cat is the "best ever".

Little Penny, who had been Penelope when she came into our system, was one such lucky HART dog.  She came to us from a rural shelter where she was scheduled to be euthanized before HART took her in.  While the start to Penny's life was not so good, her fortune changed the day she was adopted by the Connells.  She was loved and cherished every day she was with them and gave as much love and devotion to them as she received.

We are very saddened to hear of the passing of Penny but are so very thankful that she spent her last years knowing the love of a wonderful family.

Below is part of a letter we received from the Connells.  It is our fervent wish that all animals could know the love and devotion the Connells showed to Penny. To Anna and Gerald: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving our Penny such a great home.


Dear Charlene,

Back in May 2000 we adopted the most wonderful dog or, as my husband always told her, "the best dog ever", which she was. Sadly, she had been suffering from a heart valve problem for over a year, and on November 18 a valve burst during the night and she was in great distress, panting constantly with the fluid buildup. The next morning we brought her to our veterinarians but after putting her on extra oxygen immediately and giving her an extra injection of Lasix, there was nothing they could do to ease her discomfort or to help her. We knew we had to let her go at that point, so she was put to sleep and left us peacefully.

Needless to say, we miss her terribly. She truly was the sweetest dog and gave us so much love and attention. She had unlimited patience with our grandchildren, and just love being around people of all ages. Even with the grandchildren and the eagerness to give her too much attention at times, she never nipped or snarled at them. She was an exceptional dog and everyone loved her.

I felt very lucky that we were able to have Penny, even if only for 5 years. I fell for "Penelope" immediately, After the usual procedures were done, I went to pick her up about a week later. Not only did she just hop in the car but she literally put her little head on my lap and just lay there all the way home - which she continued to do during any car trips. My husband, children and grandchildren took to her immediately.

We have wonderful memories of Penny. I should mention that she went totally blind about a year ago, but she still knew where the sidewalks were that she walked twice a day, as well as the obstacles outside and the furniture inside. She managed amazingly well.

Penny gave us so much happiness and it's difficult not to be able to see her first thing in the morning and have her with us now. She was just a part of our daily life, and her routine was our routine.

In appreciation for the opportunity it gave us to have Penny, "the best dog ever". we are enclosing a check in her memory to put toward the continued good work that HART does in rescuing and providing dogs for adoption. Thank you all for this wonderful privilege.