Annabelle

On May 24th 2012,  Dr. Boal  from Home to Heven  met Annabelle , my 11 year old redbone coonhound for the  first time.    When he  learned that she had been going strong for two years (on three legs  )beating all the odds for surviving canine bone cancer — he chuckled  and said  “Wow, she’s an Outlier!”        Indeed,  she was a statistical phenomena  but what really came to mind  was what Malcolm Gladwell said  (in his book,  Outliers ):                     “ When outliers become outliers it is not just because of their own efforts.  It’s because of the contributions of lots of different people and lots of different circumstances— and that means that we, as a society, have more control about who succeeds—and how many of us succeed—than we think.  That’s an amazingly hopeful and uplifting idea.” Annabelle was so fortunate to live in a state with  world class vets (thank you CSU and Foothills Animal Clinc),  a city filled with open space and trails , and  to “office” each dayat  New Hope –where dogs are welcomed and  the people have so much heart.   She  was surrounded daily  with  warmth, kindness and love by her friends and family.    I am certain that  was a big part of her success and longevity.  Annabelle — you  will be so missed.