Story and photos
by Megan Stroud

Mojo, a 7-year-old English Springer Spaniel, has one goal in life: getting the squeaker out of all toys. 

Mojo is always panting, loves water more than food and is the perfect, constant companion to Hannah Robison, a native of Newport who calls Searcy her second home. Hannah now lives in North Little Rock, where she manages communication for Central Church of Christ. 

Hannah and Mojo have been inseparable since they first met. 

When Hannah graduated from Harding University, her parents gave her Sampson, a golden retriever puppy. Fourteen months later she had to put him down, but they ended up taking Mojo home that same day. 

“I was literally sobbing on the steps of the vet clinic. My dad sits down, and he says, ‘You’re going to think I’m crazy, but they have a dog in here who needs a home,’” Hannah said. 

In addition to immediately adapting to her family’s land where Hannah grew up riding the four-wheeler through her grandfather’s cattle farm, Mojo was immediately intuitive to Hannah’s every need.

“She was perfectly trained when we got her, and I guess she was trying not to lick. But when I first met her, she started licking the tears off my face. She looked at me, she looked at Dad and I was like, ‘Yes, she’s coming home with us.’ And she is just the best dog I have ever had.”

Although they instantly fell in love with Mojo, Hannah and her parents struggled to name her. During the first three weeks, they tried different names, but nothing fit until her dad said, “Mojo.” 

The name has a triple meaning. Primarily, she helped them get their mojo back after Sampson died. But the name also took on the implication of their favorite coffee house, Midnight Oil, commonly known as MO, as well as the name of the vet from whom they got her, Joe David Smith. 

It’s been three years since they brought Mojo home to their family land in Searcy where Hannah’s parents have lived since 2012.  

Hannah and Mojo spend every day together, whether they are in Searcy or Little Rock. Letters are signed “Hannah and Mojo” with a pawprint, and evening walks are accompanied by discussions often including the repetitions of the phrases, “I love you,” and “Watchu see?” From chasing birds out of their home to eating an entire carton of expired ice cream out of the trash on Mother’s Day, they have made memories that will outlast a lifetime. 

For Hannah, who has always loved all things dog from dog breed books to American Kennel Club (AKC) Dog Shows and from every Animal Planet show to her school mascot — the greyhounds — Mojo is a best friend and constant confidant. 

“I really feel like a mother to Mojo because I don’t have kids of my own, and I don’t have a spouse, so she has been such a comfort. She’s always my constant. It’s always so nice to come home, and they’re so happy to see you every time. She’s never disappointed in me. I can never say the wrong things to her. She always loves me anyway.”