Losing A Friend Hanks Leo Dee, April 9, 1977 - June 20, 2009 By Renee’ Van Dusen Hanks Leo Dee, out of Hank Leo and by Hope I Do Snip, was born April 9, 1977 and laid to rest June 20, 2009. He was 32 years old. I first admired him weekly at the Boyd Ranch on Church Road. He was purchased for me on my 15th birthday, and that was a great day! He was the most beautiful horse that I had ever seen, almost like Black Beauty and black as night. We became the best of friends. We rode all over Desoto County, probably a million miles. He was very versatile. He could show Western Pleasure and then turn and burn a barrel or pole. We had a long struggle with his age, but he was always a fighter. He became friends with a homeless donkey named Festus, whom we adopted. Festus looked out for Hank and they hung out together. Hank will be greatly missed. He was more than just a horse, as his veterinarian Dr Mehr said. He was part of my family almost like my kid. In loving memory, Renee' Van Dusen