To the Eastern Montana Humane Society
My name is Hannah, I recently adopted two golden retrievers from you, a mother and daughter named Hope and Faith. I would like to tell you a little bit about myself, I am seventeen and have always loved dogs, but it was never possible as at an early age I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Though I was born in billings I have spent the past seven years in Germany and at various American hospitals. My family has now moved to Bozeman permanently, my dad always promised when we were settled somewhere I could have a dog. As I am still in a wheelchair I wanted an older dog to be my companion and company for me. I watched the papers for several months after our return but found nothing; needless to say I was disappointed. I had been sure that the right dog was waiting for me. But a puppy would be too much for me so expanded my search to the internet. It didn’t take me very long to find Hope, she was perfect. Even the name was exactly right, I at once showed her to my mom, who was the one who noticed Faith in one of the photos of Hope. At first I was unsure, two dogs wasn’t exactly what I had been looking for, but the more I thought about it the more certain I felt it was right. I have eight brothers and sisters, but my dad had always said two dogs are tough, if they don’t get along. But this was perfect, a mother and daughter who had been together forever, how could we separate them. If the idea was vetoed I couldn’t separate them, Hope couldn’t be happy without her daughter. Maybe if I didn’t separate them someone else would, then I might as well do it, but I just couldn’t. It never came to that decision fortunately, my dad and mom both approved of the idea and all my brothers and sisters had wanted a younger dog so the motion was passed. I could barely stand the wait until we could go to Billings and get them, I was a little afraid we might get there and someone else would have taken them or that the owner might change his mind but my mom told me that neither of these things were possible. She was right as mothers usually are. Every day after that was brighter; Hope and Faith were like golden rays of sunshine in our house. Two more loving, eager, loyal, trusting, faithful and gentle dogs do not exist, as the dog of my dreams had existed only in my mind before my parents warned me that I might not find them everything I wanted. They were wrong; Hope has been my constant companion and everything I could ask of her. When she sits at my knee her head on my lap her eyes looking up at me, or when I watch her chase Faith and my brothers and sisters around the yard in a mad game of tag. I have thought about writing this letter for several weeks, perhaps it is unusual, or perhaps it is unusual that I have not done it sooner. In any case I hope that I have expressed to you my gratitude for giving me the opportunity of fulfilling one of my dreams. I do not know you, but I know that each animal that comes through your hands is loved by you, and I wanted you to know that Hope and Faith will always be loved and cared for by our family. Sincerely yours, Hannah