Honey’s story began the day Betty and Lou Hann met one of her predecessors, a purebred yellow Labrador Retriever, whose home had been the Cranston Animal Shelter for six months.

The dog’s description was not encouraging; she was not good with other pets, children, or men, and she was big. And she howled. Yet Betty and Lou brought her home.

The canine saga continued when their next best friend was discovered roaming the streets of Providence, and was brought to the Animal Rescue League. This soul was lucky enough to live with Lou and Betty for 12 years. Betty and Lou were not ones to shy away from a challenge.

With a loss of a beloved dog, Betty and Lou had a hole in their hearts to fill, exactly the size of a yellow Labrador Retriever. Perhaps a puppy this time? After all, their first dog had arrived as a puppy, inside Lou’s shirt pocket…

“She’s the one.” One look at the runt of the litter and Betty knew she was the dog they’d been searching for. Betty named her Honey on the drive home, owing to her coat the color of honey, with a disposition as sweet as her name.

Honey was soon exploring her new home in Warwick —and discovering several hiding places in the process—at breakneck speed.

Betty and Lou quickly learned it was impossible to remove something from Honey’s mouth, because once attempted, she would quickly devour it. In fact, she was a most contrary dog when it came to a command!

Honey responded to, and sought out, the sound of laughter.

There was the “Wallet Incident.” This was quickly followed by the “Comforter Incident.” Oh, and the “Fireplace Fiasco.”

Honey also liked to nibble on Lou, but the hot sauce, applied to prevent this behavior, only encouraged Honey in her endeavor.

Perhaps you’ve known a Honey in your life?

At 72, Betty recalls her childhood dog, “Queenie,” her pet while growing up in Providence, and counts among her many blessings sharing 46 years with her devoted husband, Lou, her bond with her two adult sons, a satisfying career at Rhode Island Hospital, and of course, her cherished Labradors, like Honey.

Honey is the subject of Betty’s first book that recently  became available.

In telling Honey’s story, Betty’s aim was twofold; besides sharing Honey’s comical nature, she wished to shine a light on adopting dogs who need families, just as she had done in the past. Betty accompanied her current canine friend, a rescue dog, to conditioning and training classes twice a week, their first three months together.

Betty has two more books in development. Writing a memoir, she learned, is rather different from her experience in research and technical writing. Quite simply, she says, “It comes from the heart.”

Betty will be autographing copies of her book at the Cranston Library at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road on Saturday, December 9th, from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Guests may register in person or on the library’s website for Betty’s talk on her writing process. The book will also be available for purchase for $20.00, payable by check or cash.

Until then, you may enjoy the further adventures of Honey in Funny Honey: A Gifted Dog, by local author, Elizabeth A. “Betty” Hann, now available for $20.00 from DorranceBookstore.com, or you may purchase a copy at The Warwick Beacon.