My Dog Named Herman by Duane Lee
By Larry Lee, BraceBeagling Editor
January 31, 2004

Herman the Schnauzer

(Editor’s note) The following message was written by my son, Duane Lee in response to a picture of his dog Herman that his Uncle Bruce sent him through e-mail. I hope you get value from reading it.

Herman, The K-9

I will always remember my German Schnauzer named Herman. He was named after my grandfather. How could I forget him? He was my first dog! I used to pet him while I watched cartoons after school. Herman, the k-9, was before even my dad's beagles! Now, for a sad story.

It was the first day of 6th grade. I remember it well. I came home early, from 6th grade. It was about 1/2 hour before the elementary kids were coming home. I got home first, and I let Herman out of the house. (No leash or collar, Herman usually just ran free in the neighborhood.)
Oh, sad times were soon coming.
I went down to the bus stop, just before my little brother was coming home on the elementary school bus, and I found a horrible thing-- my little dog had been struck by a cement truck, and was lying in the road nearly dead! (Potter Road)! He had somehow got in the way of a truck, and was hit by it.
I hugged him close, I screamed, I cried, I prayed to God for my little dog. Somehow, my mom appeared, and scooped him up in her arms. She told me she and my dad would take him to the vet, and maybe he would be ok.

Well, they came home later, and told me my little dog had gone to be in heaven. I cried and cried, and thought I might never get over that. But I did, eventually.
Herman passing on was my first real experience with death. And, I am sorry to say, it was probably because I let him out of the house, as I had done many times before. I carry this with me to this day. But it's okay. It's just a part of life.

He was old, and would have soon had to be put down anyway. So it was just God's way. And I learned and grew from that experience, and it is a part of me today. I share this with all of you because you are all my family.

On a closing note. The older I get, the more important my family becomes. Especially now that I have a child to carry on after me. That is SO important! For Uncle Bruce, thanks for bringing back the memories, both bitter and sweet. Your work is so important for our family, and you have much yet to accomplish! Keep at it! And may God bless you for this!