In spring of 1996, my husband unexpectedly had two open heart surgeries in one month. Of course this was devastating but more so, because we had no dogs in our home to keep him company while convalescing. Previously we had two other Bull Terriers but, because they were high maintenance, we had decided to take a break after they passed of old age.

I quickly looked into getting a BT pup but none where immediately available. In addition, I worried that a puppy would be too active for the husband who only wanted company, not a ton of attention. Luckily I was steered to the Bull Terrier Rescue organization. We found a two year old BT girl who was coming from a divorcing home. Egads, this was a bit scary because they had five children and 3 other aggressive dogs (an Akita, Rottweiler and Chow). She had been kenneled a lot and we were concerned that she may not be amiable to being a domestic dog in a family setting. The breeder who had taken her back assured me that she was sweet; he also let me know we could return her if things didn’t work out. So – sight unseen we arranged a pick up and she travelled from Utah to Yakima, WA. We drove to pick her up and sigh, met in a very funny setting. When we picked her up she was outrageously rambunctious and knocked a small child off her feet. In addition, she wasn’t the “prize” of femininity, and we laughed at how her name would not be “Petunia” but more like “Brunhilda or “Big Bertha”.

Onward we drove to a hotel and this is where the story really begins. Together my husband and I sat on the couch and wondered if we should return this dog who seemed very undisciplined (we thought we’d give it a night). Hannah must have sensed our dismay ‘cause she quickly jumped on the couch and quietly snuggled. When we went to bed again, Hannah just thought she belonged with us and jumped on the bed like that was nothing but ordinary. Of course that was forever.

Summary: My friends had cautioned me about getting an older dog and one that was up for rescue. I’m happy I didn’t listen to them because “Nanna” has become the most docile Bull Terrier I have ever known. It was fate that brought us to her and vice versa. Her life was probably cluttered in Utah and being with us, she has become the sole centre of attention. Had taking in a volunteer dog worked one half as well as this, we would have been very happy. Everyday “Nanna” sets an example for us to lead our lives; she makes us happier than we would be without her. She is always in a good mood, uncommonly sweet and adds more humour in our lives than one can EVER imagine. Out of the three BT's we've owned; the rescue dog was the easiest.

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