09/02/2026
We received the saddest news on one of our BAGSR family, adopted in December 2016. The following tribute was written by Hank's pawrents and it is so beautifully written. We felt the love through this dedication and by looking at the attached photos, you would understand why. Run Free Hank and watch over your pawrents. The following is Hank's tribute.
Our little babybear is gone, my heart is shattered.
I miss him so much
Turns out he rescued me and not the other way around.
I am forever grateful for our time together and the absolute purest love he gave Patty and I.
We found him through the Bay Area German Shepherd rescue and from his gotcha day Dec 18, 2016 to August 28, 2026 we were inseparable.
3,541 days.
I never thought of him as a warrior but he was an absolute warrior and was so brave and resilient and so strong until his last breath.
He had a rough beginning and was found in the woods in Clear Lake. He had cuts and bruises on his face and body from surviving in the woods.
He was 100% German Shepherd with long hair. His ears never stood up so he had these big floppy ears and a had a very curious and kind personality along with a happy smiling face.
He was super smart and had an incredible memory.
People constantly told us how handsome he was.
He loves smelling babies, was known to stick his wet nose inside a baby carriage, and kids often came over to him (cautiously) as they thought he was magical. People always commented on what a good boy he was.
He was the best boy.
He became the mayor of the dog group near our house, all the little dogs would run around him and he just let them jump on him or bark at him and he just watched smiling and laughing. He would only get up and get involved to break up any scuffles so they called him the mayor.
I think we should have gotten him certified as a Therapy dog, he brought love and light everywhere.
We spent a lot of time training him when we first got him, trying to socialize him because of how difficult his first 9month to 1yr was. He was so scared at first. And over time that fear got less and less and we got to build a deep connection and bond with him.
From the moment he woke us up (the first bit of daylight) until we called nighties, he was there for it all. With love and kisses and joy and snoots and endless energy. He loved being outside and going to the beach, playing in sand and running with his red ball.
Patty was mom, and he imprinted on her. They would sit in the park or play soccer in the backyard every day quite literally for hours. Their bond was so deep and she had such a way with him.
He was my baby bear. We walked and talked almost every morning and every night for the last 10yrs. He seen me at my best and worst and I didn’t realize he was my rock. For years multiple times a weekend we would go to Fort Funston because he loved the sand. He was so happy to dig for hours. Mornings we would go try to find squirrels in the park, he would try but could never catch one!
Friends would always ask why Patty and I don’t go on trips or vacations. The truth was we loved spending time together so much that we’d prefer to go on adventures with him than leave him. Maybe we were crazy but I think there’s about 12 or so days he wasn’t with one of us over the last 10yrs.
His personality was hilarious. He was funny and forgiving and he remembered a lot. He would tell you if he didn’t like something and sometimes with a disapproving deep sigh, or maybe ignore you for a while to send a message.
When Patty would come sit on my lap, he’d squeeze his way between. If he saw I was getting a kiss he’d come over and interrupt because he wanted allllll the attention!
He is the absolute center of our little family and the silence that has overcome our house is deafening. It’s so quiet and empty it hurts.
I have never experienced pain like this in my life and I cannot believe my Little Bear is gone.
It has all happened so fast. We are grateful that we both got to hold him at home and be with him with his last breath.
Even with all this pain and deep deep sadness and grief that I feel I would do it all over again to have more time with my little bear.
It rained on August 28th, the day he went to sleep and we never get rain here during summer.
I believe angels were crying with us in those rain drops.
In loving memory of Hank.
March 2016 to August 28 2026 6pm
Hank, Hanker, Panker, BabyJun, Jun boy, love-bug, lil bug, bae, bae Jun, JunyBear, little bear. baby bear
