First of all I want to apologize to Woody Allen for my title, but it fits perfectly.

As I stated last week, Hannah Belle, the emaciated coonhound has found a home, but not just any home, this is a very special one.

When Hannah’s story first came out, I received a call from a dear friend and ardent supporter who already has three of my kids, Mandy, Lexi and Isabel.

“Lennie,” Pat my friend said, “I would love to give Hannah Belle a home with my girls.”

I hadn’t a doubt in the world that she would get the very best care at the Viera household, but I had concerns.

“First of all Pat, a good home has already expressed interest in her (which was true) and you know I can’t play favorites. Secondly, though Mandy and Lexi do not present a problem, I worry about frisky little Isabel playfully beating up on her, she’s too frail and weak right now.”

Pat would not be deterred, “I don’t know about all of that Lennie, I just know this was meant to be.”

I smiled to myself, knowing how passionate this dear lady could be about things.

“How so?” I replied.

“I’ll tell you how so,” she went on. “Every dog you’ve placed in my family has fulfilled a purpose, both I for them and they for me. In a few days I am leaving for a family reunion to my grandfather’s old farm. The farm is called Hannah’s after my grandmother. Granddad raised and loved black and tan coonhounds. Furthermore, all my girls have southern names, (on this I am paraphrasing) Mandy Mae, Lexi Lou and Izzy Belle.”

I know for a fact she calls Isabel Izzy when she’s being mischievous and Bella when she’s good.

“When I read Hannah Belle’s story I felt as if it was written just for me, and Leonard, I was listening.”

I must admit I was moved by it all.

“Go to your reunion Pat, my hands are tied in this matter, I’ll be over to see you and the girls when you get back.”

My heart was breaking for my friend, she was almost in tears in her passion.  If I’ve learned one thing in life it is this, I may set things in motion but it is God who is in control. A few days after Pat returned, I was scheduled to pay her and the girls a visit when I received the call. By now Hannah Belle had reached 35 pounds, was spayed and ready for her new home. The call was from Angie at FHS.

“Lennie, for some reason Hannah’s adoption fell through, does your friend still want her?”

“You bet,” I said joyfully. “I’m going there right now to tell her in person.”  When Pat received the news she didn’t waste a second, we went over to Landrum vet to retrieve the paperwork and take Hannah for a walk.

Hannah (God bless her) seemed to know that Pat was the momma she had been waiting for. She took to Pat in an instant, stayed glued to her leg and hung on her every word.

“I guess once again I’ll be just Uncle Lennie,” I thought, smiling to myself.

By the next day Hannah was micro chipped, adopted and in her forever home. Pat left large donations to the shelter and to Lennie’s fund.

The next day I went over to see Hannah and her sisters in action. Lexi, the mother hen and Mandy, the sheriff, were looking on as Izzy and Hannah were playing. It thrilled me to see Hannah in play mode and the girls accepted her as if she always belonged.

“What do you think?” Pat said smiling.

You were right dear fiend, it was meant to be,” I said.

A few days later I ran into Pat and another good friend, Sandy, at Landrum vet while I was checking on Jewel to see how she was doing. They were there for a checkup for Hannah Belle. Hannah was sitting pasted to Pat’s leg as I peered in and said, “How’s my girl?”

Hannah gazed at Pat as if to ask for permission, then trotted over to me and looked up with soulful eyes that went straight to my heart. I got down on one knee to greet her and she promptly place two kisses on my face before going back to Pat.

“You’re welcome sweetheart,” I said tearfully.

Thanks for listening.