Happy Birthday Hank!

3 Years ago, the cutest puppy in the world was born. A-Dog's 9th birthday was upon us and I had been wanting to get him some sort of *animal*. Something simple was what I had in mind. The beta fish tank had long been packed away (and recently moved completely out of the house into the garage hoping to never subject myself to that again...I digress...). I had talked to friends and kids - trying to figure out an appropriate pet. My sweet husband suggested a dog (not to be confused with A-Dog).

REALLY? Geez, do you know how much work dogs are???

Our land is not fenced.

We do not plan on fencing our land.

Plus, they poop on the ground. And shed. And bark.

Where are we putting a DOG???

Apparently in our unfenced back yard.

My quest for a dog got me this:

Hank a chocolate lab - 6 weeks old.

Seriously, could you not just pick him up and snug on him??? Honestly, puppies have to be the sweetest of creations (next to newborn babies!)!!!

So, very unpreparedly we brought this puppy home. A quick trip to Petsmart made it all better and with food and toys in hand - "unnamed puppy" moved in.

A-Dog was not home that week, it was fall break. So, "unnamed puppy" acclimated nicely and served as our newest "wake up in the middle of the night to pee and get attention" pseudo child. I had long been past getting up with a baby (Agent P was 16 months). Living in a crate in our hallway was probably not his idea of a good home, but it would have to do for now. When A-Dog got home a week later, the big SURPRISE was a HUGE hit! Never in his wildest dreams did he think we'd ever get him a dog (mine either frankly)!

He named him "Hank" after a book series called "Hank the Cow Dog". He was leaning toward "Viper", but boy, that just wasn't sticking for me. Hank is a very fitting name..it suits him.

And this super sweet puppy grew into THIS:

And then into THIS: (this look is his trademark.)

Certainly you can see the strings of drool coming off his face?

Here is a shot of him sans drool. A much better look really, and more accepted by the general population of people who might want to stick their hand down to give him a little pat.

Hank lives in our unfenced yard with a boundary shock collar. He is fully aware that when the *beeps* start, he has gone too far and should head back toward the house. He's been known once or twice to sustain a bit of a shock, but slow learners take a few times I suppose.

He is absolutely fabulous with all of our kids and is never short time to wander over to them and stick his nose in their ear :-)


Happy Birthday Hank! Sorry you got nothing for your birthday, but I did just spend the last week nursing you back to health after your bout with Montezuma's Revenge (with ice chips, Gatorade, homemade rice and beef.) Remember all of that???

We love you Hank!!!