ABQ pooch is Guide/Hearing Dog of the Year

Duke City dog Henna has been named Guide/Hearing Dog of the Year and advanced with six other do-gooder dogs to the finals of the 2021 American Humane Hero Dog Awards. The awards, now in their 11th year, are sponsored by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation and will be broadcast this fall on Hallmark Drama, a news release says.

Here’s how Henna’s handler introduces her: “I am deaf and legally blind. Henna, my amazing guide dog, has given me the freedom of travel and saves my life on a daily basis. She is an extension of my body, becoming my eyes and ears.” The handler goes on to recount how Henna saved her from being “nearly crushed by the trailer of an 18-wheeler” last year. “Despite me being in shock from almost being hit, Henna continued to perform her job perfectly. To this day, I can still see the trailer’s reflective strips in front of me and know that this was only one of many times she saved my life, while allowing me freedom. She continues to confidently guide me and acts as if it had never happened. I can almost see in her face and hear in her voice, ‘I got you, Mom! Just follow me.’ ”

To see the full list of Hero Dog finalists and vote for Henna or another nominee, go to www.herodogawards.org. You can vote through Sept. 7.