November 13, 1993 to April 24, 2007

She was 13 1/2 years old and still full of spunk until the day she passed. We’re pretty sure she had a heart attack. She was a blessing for our family from the day my dad and I snuck her home. I have to say, Mom, was not too crazy about her at first (hence, the sneaking Hershey to our home)… but after only a couple of days, Hershey had won us all over. She was the best dog I could have ever wished for. She was my first dog. And she cared for her family fiercely, although she was a friend to all creatures large and small. She made us better people and brought us together during some particularly difficult years. An angel stays until the work is done. And Hershey was our angel.

My mom wrote this poem about Hershey after she passed:

HERSHEY

I’d never owned a dog before
Nor did I want a canine pet
But when a pup showed up at home
I took one look at those brown eyes
And fell in love, to my surprise.

She was so sweet and small and smart
I took her quickly to my heart
A pudgy ball of chocolate brown
So Hershey was the perfect name
Our lives would never be the same.

We taught her tricks within a day
To fetch and sit, roll over and stay
Her favorite trick was catch the stick
Or chase the ball or frisbee for a treat
Then take a well-earned nap beside our feet.

She took us for a daily stroll
Through many a park and wooded knoll
She sniffed and ran and swam with glee
And never let us stray too far away
She herded us together along the way.

Her tail wagged with every touch
She knew we loved her very much
And she returned our love ten-fold
She’d never think about running away
Being part of our pack just made her day.

As years passed by her thick brown coat
Had more white hair around the throat
Her muzzle and her steps were lighter
Arthritis got a nasty grip
And gave her pain around her hip.

We knew her dog-years measured old
But she was worth her weight in gold
So when on one bright day she lay
And breathed so heavy in the grass
We could not believe that she did pass.

So Hershey is now a fond memory
Her life was so charmed and care-free
We know her sweet soul is enjoying a stroll
In dog heaven where she patiently waits
Til our family joins her past the pearly gates.