Both Kenston fourth-grader Annie Costello and her dog, Hope, faced death and disability early in their lives.
Annie, who was born prematurely and only weighed one pound, was not expected to survive. Hope, a 7 or 8-year-old Australian Shepherd-mix who, as a puppy, was left on the side of the road with her sister, Faith, was hit by a car and also not expected to live.
Both not only made it, they are healthy, full of life and were recently honored for their strength and inspiration.
Geauga County Auditor Frank Gliha presented Annie with a certificate for the county’s #1 Dog Contest Monday afternoon at Kenston Intermediate School. He also gave Hope — who only has three legs as a result of the car accident — the #1 Dog tag.
“Somebody hit her,” said Annie’s mom, Deanne Costello, to Josefina Ventimiglia’s fourth-grade class before introducing Hope. “She almost died, but she actually survived and she has a sister named Faith. (Hope) walks with a limp and she’s kind of a slow dog.
“But when Annie was born, Annie was only a pound. Annie was the size of your hand and so for a long time, neither Annie nor Hope could walk,” Deanne said. “So today, both of them are walking and we’re really happy and thankful for that.”
Hope, a bit bashful, slowly but surely made her way to the front of the classroom as Annie walked up to greet her and receive her certificate, softly thanking everyone.
“At first glance, my dog, Hope, might appear to be a lemon, but in reality, she deserves to be Geauga County’s #1 Dog,” Annie wrote in her essay, titled “You Need Both Faith and Hope” — one of 50 submitted in this year’s contest.
“Shortly after birth, she and her sister, Faith, were accidentally hit by a car. They were left on the road terrified and alone. Hope was so badly injured that her leg had to be amputated,” she wrote. “Her other injuries were so severe that the veterinarian thought it best to put her (down). Fortunately, her sister, Faith, who was not injured, refused to eat without Hope. Initially, the workers at the Geauga County shelter kept Hope alive only to support Faith, who was afraid to be alone. Hope stayed by Faith’s side and comforted her. I met (them both) while visiting the shelter.”
Annie said many people wanted to adopt Faith out because she was a purebred Australian Shepherd with no injuries and nice markings, but when shelter volunteers refused to adopt out Faith without Hope, everyone backed away.
“No one wanted Hope. She was ‘a lemon,’” Annie said in her essay. “I felt sorry for Hope. Certainly, someone could look past Hope’s disability to see that her supportive personality would make her a wonderful pet. The days went by and nobody wanted Hope. With each visit, I became more attached to Hope. I felt connected to Hope.”
Annie said because she was not expected to live after being born prematurely and hooked up to a ventilator, she related to Hope.
“I survived, but like Hope, I also had problems with walking and coordination. We were both clumsy and slow,” she wrote. “If (Hope) could have such a positive outlook despite only three legs and a slow run, then I should, too! Yes, Hope was the dog for me! Reluctantly, my family agreed to adopt both Faith and Hope. Over the years, we have become best friends. We depend on each other for love and support.”
Annie said Hope follows her everywhere and is a “wonderful guard dog” and very protective of her. But most of all, Hope has inspired Annie.
“When people laugh at our slow run, we smile because we know that there’s more to life than speed. It’s character that can never be beat. Neither of us will ever win a running race, but both of us are thankful to be alive and happy helping others,” Annie said. “Hope deserves to be Geauga County’s #1 Dog because she reminds all of us that when life hands out lemons, we can choose to make lemonade.”
Gliha — who judged this year’s contest with Administrative Assistant-Deputy Auditor Pam McMahan and local librarians Linda Nichols, Beth Rush and Christine Peace — said this year’s contest was the biggest one yet.
“This contest happens every year for fourth and fifth graders throughout the county,” he said. “This is probably one of the best things I do as auditor. I really enjoy it.”
As he presented Deanne with Hope’s #1 Dog tag, she scratched Hope under her chin and said, “That’s pretty good for being dumped on the road.”