I hate to start the week off with an obituary, but Hank’s life was far too important to ignore. While this handsome Maine coon was not the only cat to ever run for public office, he was the first cat whose campaign gained truly widespread attention. His run for United States Senator from Virginia resulted in over 7,300 write-in votes and $60,000 in donations for animal rescue.
If you followed Hank’s campaign, you probably know about his humble beginnings — born to a single mother on the streets and winding up with his family in a kill shelter. Animal Allies came to their rescue, and Hank never forgot this kindness. It is no surprise that he used his senate run to promote rescue.
Hank’s political career got off to a rocky start. The first time he ran for public office — as State Senator — he got a measly 7 write-in votes. But that only made him more determined to succeed. In 2012 he stepped up his game and went for U.S. Senate with a well-run and hard-hitting campaign. Even an attack ad by a pack (PAC?) of dogs could not cast a shadow over him. It is no surprise that he got enough write-in votes to claw to third place behind two candidates supported by the bloated political parties who are currently keeping America’s humans divided, instead of seeking common ground from which to work together. It was a very strong showing for a cat who wasn’t even on the ballot.
Some humans have assumed that Hank’s campaign was merely a novelty, a silly joke to poke fun at when the “real” candidates were being too pedantic or uninteresting. But Hank was about a lot more than that. Let me quote the “Donate” page from his website: “Hank’s campaign is about fixing the real problems that we all face everyday, not about his political career, self-promotion, or selling books. That’s why Hank’s campaign is completely self-funded. Hank won’t accept one cent from individuals, corporations, or special interests – so there’s no worry about corruption or cronyism.” Human politicians could have learned a lot from Hank.
But that wasn’t all. The page goes on to say, “Hank knows that there are people suffering in the world and that he wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for loving and caring individuals that save animals from euthanasia every day. That’s why Hank is requesting that donations be made to rescue groups and no-kill shelters that save lives and help stop the suffering of the booming pet population.” Can you imagine the change that would happen if human politicians followed this same path, instead of spending millions of dollars to tear each other apart?
Even though Hank returned to private life after the senate race was over, he left his mark on thousands of animal lovers, and he continued to keep in touch with his devoted fans through his Facebook page. It was less than two weeks ago that Hank started to get sick. The veterinarian diagnosed probable lymphoma, but a host of other physical problems developed and Hank couldn’t fight them all. He died in his humans’ arms just before 5 PM on February 13.
Hank was a unique cat and politician. In his human, Anthony’s words, “He was kind, pragmatic, intelligent, open-minded — and saw the world through eyes that we can’t. But I know he would want more than anything for others to keep on where he left off, whether cat or human or otherwise.” So instead of mourning his loss, we should see what we can do to lend a paw to some kitty who is less fortunate than we are. That, after all, is the legacy Hank wanted to leave.
I had a cat named Hank he was a flame point ragdoll catI lost him as well, he died of anemia(a sickness that causes him to lose red blood cells) he was a sweet cat I had another cat named Leia she was a calico she was the sweetest thing she died of hepatitis (liver disease) I know how it feels. I’ll never forget them…
Such a great tribute to Hank. What an amazing legacy he leaves behind…
Thanks for the nice tribute to Hank. That is so sad but maybe he opened some eyes. Do you know how Stubbs, the cat who’s a mayor in Alaska is doing after he was mauled by a dog?
This is such a beautiful tribute Sparkle. May Hank’s legacy be that, well, we have more Hank’s in the world!
he was a pretty special kitty!
Sparkle, This was a wonderful tribute to a fine and wise ManCat. ::bows head in respect::
It’s a very special furend that shares their special furend, thank you Sparkle=^Y^=Thomas & theCatStreetBoyz
PS, we sent you our Email=^Y^=
good bye Hank. you’ll be missed
BoBo Salem
The Meow Meow Family
we are sorry to hear about Hank’s passing and send our purrs to his family. He sure had a pawsome platform! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful tribute, Sparkle.
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
Rest in peace. My hoomin voted for Hank! Hank was and is loved. What an awesome kitteh. {{{hugs}}}
Thank you for such a gracious tribute to a cat who made a real difference. He changed ives, we can be proud to be cats because of his work. Thank you Hank. We sill work hard in your memory and honour your work.
Harvey, Miranda and Silver
We are sorry Hank had to pass on, he did so much good and this is a lovely tribute to him. We are purring for all his loved ones, they must be heart broken.
Rest in Peace Hank, run free!
We’d heard about Hank’s running but hadn’t heard that he ran off to the Bridge. 🙁
We think that if cats ran the country it would be so much better.
I didn’t know of Hank but he sounds like he was a great kitty. That is a lovely tribute to him.
Rest in Peace sweet boy. I do remember hearing about him, but never realized it was really true.
Farewell, dear Hank. They are waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge with a full agenda of things for you to consider, dear Hank.
So sad to hear of his passing. Wonderful tribute Sparkle.
what a beautiful tribute…
I am very sorry for the loss of your friend Sparkle. He sounds like he was an extraordinary kitty
How come we live in Virginia and never heard of Hank? We sure would have voted for him. We are so, so sorry that he has gone to the RB and from lymphoma. He is the third kitty in just a few weeks. First there was our friend Nick from Cat Scouts, then Gracie from Manx Mnews and now Hank. (And, a couple years ago, it was our Madison.) You might want to tell your readers about Dr. Leslie Lyons at the University School of Verterinary Medicine and Surgery, who is currently working in Feline Genome Research. A fund has been set up (originally in memory of Nick) for this project. The address for the website where donations can be made is: http://www.gofundme.com/6odjn4?preview=1/. Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
That was a lovely tribute, Sparkle. I didn’t know about Hank, so thank you for honoring his legacy.
Thanks for honoring Hank’s memory with this lovely tribute.
🙁 I’m so sad to find he died on my birthday, he will be missed 🙁
oh no! We didn’t know Hank died. How very sad. He was doing great things. He followed him on Facebook. He will be missed. -Crepes.
We’re so very sorry for Hank’s human who must miss such an illustrious feline terribly. We agree – the best way to honor Hank is to continue to work to help other animals in need!
Brave, courageous Hank, how we miss you already. *sniffles*
We are very sad to hear this-Hank made quite an impact and his legacy will live on.
I didn’t know about Hank, but you wrote a lovely tribute to him.
that is a pawsome tribute Sparkle,xx Speedy
Hank died much too young, RIP big guy!
If only more humans were like us kittehs..RIP buddy..
I had not heard about dear Hank. He really was a special one.
Hank was quite a guy…..he did a whole lot to focus attention on some important issues with his political ambitions. Being here in Virginia we were proud to say we knew someone who took on the arena of politics with a lot more class than anyone else ever has here…..he was an inspiration to many and will be missed by all. Farewell Hank…..enjoy your just rewards my friend.
Hugs, Sammy
Catabulous tribute Sparkle, so sad about Hank….he will be deeply missed 😥
A truly amazing cat, and a fitting obituary too.
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing cat and his human.
They’ve made such a difference.
(((purrs)))
We’re sorry to hear about Hank. We thank him for his service…and send purrs to his human.
We didn’t know anything about Hank until today but it seems he was a really fine mancat. Rest in Peace.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
RIP Hank. You were a very pawsome dude.
The Florida Furkids
Such a pawsome mancat he was! He made such a difference in people’s lives.
What a cool cat Hank was! Great tribute to him, Sparkle!
We really didn’t know Hank but that was such a great thing to do to raise all that money. How sad that he has gone to the bridge. That was such a good post in tribute to him.
What a wonderful tribute. Goodbye, Hank. You were a mancat among mancats.
Beautiful tribute to a wonderful kitty!
Goodbye Hank.
You were a wonderful kitty and you will be missed.
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure,JJ
and Angels Tiger and Tillie
That’s a lovely tribute to Hank.
Hank could show human politicians a few things about honesty and integrity.
Farewell Hank, you were a remarkable and handsome fella
Luff Mungo xx