I'm glad Hank's a boy...

Anyone who knows me (including all the managers at my current job) knows that I treat EVERYONE in my life like I treat my younger brothers. I adore them, think the world of them, and it's clear more and more with each passing day that God gave me brothers, not sisters, for a reason. Hank is a great BOY dog. He chases after balls ALL the time. He could NOT care less about dogs who want to play with him at the dog park, he has a one track mind for balls. He's the best.

So, I wasn't sure how to get this story into my dog blog but here we go...Today, I was driving from Seattle up to a presentation in Woodinville. I was coming through the arboretum (lots of birds, lots of trees by UW) and thought I saw a blue heron (pretty common in the area) it was BIG. Then I looked again and it was a BALD EAGLE. I love when this happens, how cool is it that bald eagles are in my back yard? AWESOME! It looked like maybe there was something in it's mouth, but I was going 60 mph and focusing on one of the worst highways in America. And then...all of a sudden, the bird got it's period on my car. That's right, you heard me. Now, there's been an odd amount of "a bird crapped on me" stories at my office lately. But I swear this takes the cake! Over, Lori having a bird poop ON her on Valentine's Day! I'm driving along, enjoying the majesty of living in Western Washington, and the damn bird gets it's period on my windshield...how gross is that? So gross, I called Cindi in my office to tell her, and then called my youngest brother Jeremy. I figured he was probably at home playing xbox or watching Entourage, but I was really hoping that I would wake him to the sound of "an American Bald Eagle just got it's period on my car!". But, he was walking out of class, so had to have his reaction in the hallway. The conversation turned to "do eagle's have periods?" I'm sure COCC has an avian menstruation cycle course...Jeremy promised to look into it.

Anyway, I'm glad my dog is a BOY and that he had his nuts chopped off before we brought him home. He's the best dog EVER. I took him to Marymoor today for about 45 minutes, and he's passed out next to me on the couch.

Hank is in for the treat of lifetime this weekend. We're going to take him to Moclips down on the beach for the weekend. It's all-Hank running, all the time! He is going to have a BLAST! Can't wait! Until then, just enjoy this Superbad inspired post.

I wonder what he's thinking...

This morning I took Hank on a quick walk around the block to make sure that he'd be OK for 10 hours today. The garbage truck was out, and it was pretty funny to watch Hank check out the truck. We were walking towards it on the sidewalk, and as we got closer, Hank clearly slowed down to let me go first and make sure it was OK. He's not a huge fan of loud noises, so I wasn't really surprised. But as soon as the truck started to drive off, he jumped ahead to scope it out and slinked down like he was all tough, it was pretty funny.

Hank seemed pretty tired this morning. Usually he follows me around and keeps tabs on what's going on. Today he jumped up on his chair while I was getting my lunch packed up. he was TIRED today. Poor guy, hopefully a day of rest is just what he needs!

Saturday at the Park with Hank...

This morning we were awoken about 7 AM by Hank jumping up on the bed to let us know he was awake, and ready to go when we are. We got him to sleep and snuggle with us for about an hour, and then we were all up! The plan today was to take my car over for its 60K check up, and then go straight to Marymoor for a morning at the park. It was overcast this morning, but promises of blue skies and sunshine were on the agenda. So, we went over to Marymoor and Hank did GREAT as usual, but still barks for the ball. We've kind of decided that this was our fault, because when we first got Hank he didn't bark, but if we squeaked a ball enough he would bark for us. So, now we're in trouble. Anyway, we had a great time at the dog park. We were almost to the end of our trek, and all of a sudden I see a green beach ball go flying through the park, AND THEN, I saw a little French bulldog running after it, it was the funniest dog thing I've ever seen! We all were laughing, it was so hysterical. Although, I do think I'll have to get Hank one of those $3 beach balls for when we go to Moclips at the end of the month!

Then, we came home and Hank passed out for the rest of the morning and into the afternoon. Today was ALSO our first day of dog training! "Basic Manners." Oh boy. We're pretty sure this class is more for US, and Hank will just be an active participant. The first class is without the dog, and she talks for almost 2 hours on stuff we will learn, and some good basics to know. It was good, we got clickers, and homework for the next week, which is to get Hank use to the clicker, and give him treats after he hears it, so he LOVES the class so far, even though he hasn't been yet. During the class a bird got into the auditorium where we were. It was so annoying through class, and I kept getting distracted! But, such is life, and no one got pooped on. Although....

(SIDE BAR!) On Thursday at work, my co-worker Lori came back from her lunch break (it was a beautiful day) where she had been sitting outside eating her lunch. She comes in and informs us that a bird POOPED on her! Missed her head, but totally caught her chest and arm. Happy Valentine's Day Lori...sad day. Anyway, that was too funny not to share (sorry Lori!).

Okay, so we survived basic manners today, the trainer is great, she's very loud and enthusiastic which will be GREAT with the dogs, but as you can imagine, she's not Jeremiah's favorite person. It should go well in class, and hopefully Hank will learn to do what we say when we want him to. HE already sees the treats that I was cutting up and would sit right down at the sight of treats, so we're going in the right direction I think...

What a cute puppy!

Hank went to day camp today, and I almost thought he was sick but realized he was just EXHAUSTED, and this is how the evening went...

And this is what's waiting when I crawl into bed at night. Followed by a few minutes of waking up Hank, convincing Jeremiah it's time for Hank to crawl on his bed, and then finally GETTING into my bed.

3 please

This has been a busy week for me at work. Jeremiah's still in the midst of Busy Season still, so Hank is hanging out at Day Camp a lot this week. I went to pick him up this evening and while I've already learned that Hank is a big barker in his kennel, and usually when I come to get him, you can hear him bark. Sad day. So, tonight when I came in, I heard him bark, and then asked how he was doing. It's funny that most folks recognize me as Hank's mom and they go to get him. Tonight as I was paying they informed me that it took THREE people to get him into his kennel.

It's only a week and a half till dog training starts. Probably a good idea...

At least we pick it up!

Hank is on new medication to help make his stools firm, not loose and runny. TMI? Yeah, well, watch this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUJ4es4cYIU

I found this on a blog I read pretty regularly and being a dog owner, this made me laugh.

A lot.

two-fer

Hank has had quite the weekend! Yesterday (Saturday) I woke up, Jeremiah was at work, and it looked BEAUTIFUL outside! So, Hank and I bundled up, and headed up to his favorite place on earth, Marymoor Dog Park. We played, and ran, and played, he was soaked but so happy. He slept all afternoon, and was a very pleased puppy.

Today is the Superbowl, and Jeremiah's only day off. About 11 he asked about going to do something. So, we decided to go check out the dog park on Mercer Island. The island is closer than Marymoor, and we figured it might be good to check out some other options. This park was not as great. First off, it's muddy! YUCK! And, the water is Lake Washington (BRRR). Plus, the people are all snobby Mercer Island people. And, Hank’s new favorite thing to do is BARK until you give him the ball.

So, we played for about 45 minutes, and lost a ball in the water that we couldn't get him to go after. Then, we got in the car to come home and it started to SNOW! Great timing.

The other weekend two-fer was that Hank pooped TWICE today! YAY! We've had a hard time with him pooping only once a day lately, so we were VERY excited when he pooped first thing this morning, and again at the dog park. YAY! We finally collected a stool sample yesterday at the dog park, and took it into the vet, so hopefully we get an answer to what's going on soon! Now, off to watch Hank nap during the Superbowl!