Hank LOVES him some grass...

Tonight after work I took Hank on a good walk, and now that it's spring and really green around here, he's sniffing everything out. It was a good walk and the mom with her German shepherd actually let us walk by her without pitching a fit. Although the dog DID growl at us. Maybe she's getting the hint that she's the mean dog mom in the neighborhood...

Anyway, as the walk continued Hank started to eat grass again! I noticed it right away and was able to call him off and stop it, but good grief, what's with his new hobby? Seriously, I've never even smoked it let alone eat it!

Please don't barf...

Today Hank and I went up to Marymoor to run him ragged for a while. It's over cast and cool out, but a good dog park day. So, we went up to the park, he ran all over the place, and swam a TON.

As we were in the grassy area playing with the ball, he was doing OK. But then he started to eat the grass! I had read somewhere when we first got him, or around that time, that it's OK if dog's eat grass, as long as they barf it up. So, I called Jeremiah quickly and he read that it's sometimes a digestive aid, and sometimes they just need the nutrients. So, we're staying in tonight to keep an eye on him. I came across this post about why dog's eat grass, and it's kind of funny, in that British sort of way.

In any event, he's been fine this afternoon, and no barfing. But, we sure aren't taking our chances...

Testicular Fortitude

Sorry, but I just heard that phrase on Top Chef the greatest TV show that I discovered about an hour ago. My brother Jake tonight said I should check it out. I've been hesitant to ever watch Top Chef because I knew I'd love it. Jeremiah's out of town, and the only thing on our DVR is Ask This Old House and Deadliest Catch. So, Top Chef it is!

Back to my dog...so, Hank ate all his dinner tonight, and I decided to give him a Kong. The beautify of the Kong is that Hank recently discovered that if he picks up the Kong and then THROWS it down on the ground, he has a better chance of getting that damn biscuit out, instead of just sticking his tongue in the Kong. It's our favorite thing to watch, and I'm just grateful that we aren't in an apartment or they would think that every evening we used our pogo stick while watching TV...

This is an older video, but it gives you an idea of the passion that goes into getting the goods out of his KONG!



Top Chef started out with a beer pairing, and is now doing tail gating food...good grief, I'm in love...

It's like a heard of elephants!

Since Jeremiah's in Denver this week, and I have a busy work week, Hank is at day camp on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It's AWESOME! He's so tired at the end of the day, he ate his dinner and is curled up on the couch with me now. He's so great. We were up stairs on the bed when we first got home, I changed clothes and then was watching something on TV for a few minutes. Hank KNOWS the sound of the TV going off, either means bed time (if the lights are all off) or time to go downstairs where the fun and food are. So, as I'm laying next to Hank, he hears the TV turn off, and JUMPS right over the top of me to get out of the room and downstairs to the fun.

I thought I might break a rib.

In other news, Hank hasn't realized that daddy's gone this week. He is always a very snugly dog and wants to be close, but he doesn't realize that he gets to sleep ON the bed because there's a WHOLE SIDE just for him. So, it's been less than exemplary sleeping conditions the past couple of days...

What are you talking about?

Yup, he's pretty much the CUTEST ever. Last week was pretty busy at work for me, and then on Saturday we went sailing with Mike & Grace. Hank got a special weekend Day Camp experience, which was great for us. We picked up Hank about 8:30 on Saturday night, and the Pets Hotel gal said she had just given Hank a Kong, I asked if it was to shut him up, since he's always so LOUD and hates being in the kennel. Her response was "yeah, pretty much." Hey, more power to her, that boy is LOUD, I always know he's there when I go to pick him up though! So, we brought him home Saturday night and he was very happy to see us, no surprise.

On Sunday we slept in and then took Hank to Robinswood since we had a few errands to run on Sunday afternoon. So, we go to the park, and he ran around for about 20 minutes, then was panting and slowing walking towards the ball. So, that was a nice short jaunt. Jeremiah hung out with him for about an hour while I went to InSpa, and then we left on our errands. We were gone for about 3 hours. When we came back, we figured Hank was just sleeping away the afternoon. We took him out, came back in and were out on the patio, since it was SO nice on Sunday. James, our neighbor, came out and said that Hank was barking for about the last hour. ACK! Not again! James and Jennifer are really nice about Hank, since their dog Ronin is infatuated with Hank, they are always very polite and kind to him. But, I always feel bad that Hank barks. This is only the 2nd time they've mentioned it. James mentioned maybe it's the garage door. But, he works from home so must go out throughout the day, and no barking. Jeremiah and I talked about it, and we think maybe it's when we're gone at odd times and gone together. It's not very often that we leave him together, or outside of the day time when we're at work. Ack, how frustrating! So, my dog trainer Diane mentioned that leaving the radio on, classical or talk radio is a good cover and might help. I guess it's time to start letting him listen to Rush while we're at work...