06/01/2026
🐾🌈 A Personal Note From Our Founder 🌈🐾
Remembering Penelope (2009–2025)
There is no amount of experience or preparation that can truly prepare you for the loss of a beloved pet, especially when it happens unexpectedly.
My beautiful Italian Greyhound, Penelope, was 12 years old. Just moments before everything changed, she was being herself. There were no obvious signs, no dramatic changes, nothing to suggest our time together was coming to an end.
Then I noticed her breathing.
Anyone who has ever loved an animal understands that feeling. Sometimes our pets cannot tell us what is happening, but our hearts know. Our instincts know.
I rushed Penelope to Cornell Veterinary Hospital. After X-rays and testing, I received devastating news: cancer had spread to her lungs and liver.
I was stunned because she hadn't acted sick. She hadn't slowed down. She was still Penelope.
As heartbreaking as it was, I find comfort knowing she remained happy, comfortable, and loved for as long as she could. I truly believe she carried this burden quietly, never wanting me to see her suffer.
The night before, she slept in my arms.
And when it was time for her to leave this world, she was still in my arms.
For that, I am grateful. ❤️
Vanessa, her half-sister, misses her too. The house is quieter now. There is an emptiness that only those who have loved a pet can truly understand.
If there is one thing I hope you take from our story, it's this:
Trust your instincts. You know your pet better than anyone. If something feels wrong, don't wait.
Penelope was more than a dog. She was family, a source of comfort, laughter, and unconditional love. She will always be part of who I am and part of the reason Hands2Paws exists.
Thank you to everyone who supports Hands2Paws. Your kindness means more than you know.
🌈 Run free, my sweet girl. You were loved beyond words.
❤️🐾 Elizabeth J. Menegon
Founder, Hands2Paws