Meet Hank. The dog that ruined me. I never was a "dog" person until he came along. It wasn't that I disliked dogs, in fact, I liked dogs but I just wasn't ga ga over any dog. I even laughed at people who treated their dog like it was a part of the family. Like I said, the damn dog ruined me.
See, Hank started out being Hubby's dog but the boy bonded with Hank right off the bat and Hank loved him the best. Then the last few years he's my buddy.... follows Momma around (and, God yes, I call myself Momma to him) and doesn't want me out of his sight. He's just a big sweet baby. MY BABY.
My baby... just like one of my kids...minded extremely well, unless I wasn't around then he did what he damn well wanted. Like "stay in the yard"...yeah, he stayed in the yard until I left and then he was up at the school ground before I was a block away.
What a character. He loved to play fight but wouldn't allow two people to. He would get mad and bark until you stopped for fear of being attacked. But he never bit anyone. He did like to terrorized strangers and the mailman but it was really a game. He would grin all over himself when someone started freaking out.
Brat took these pics when she was up in the summer. Playing dead was a great way to get your attention because it was so funny. You couldn't help but laugh at him.
What a ham!!!!
When I first moved back to Kentucky to take care of Poppa I was worried about taking Hank. Poppa wasn't dog crazy and ran off any that stepped foot in his yard. But I needn't have worried. Old Hank won Poppa over quite easily. From the time I stepped out of the car, let Hank out and told him to stay in the yard, Poppa was impressed: said Hank was the smartest dog he had ever met.
Then Poppa decided that 70 pounds was "skin an bones" and set about fattening Hank up. Oatmeal cream pies, doughnuts, vanilla cookies, and what Poppa said was Hank's favorite, fried hot dog with mustard. I tried to get Poppa to feed Hank doggie treats but Poppa said they were nasty (Good God, did he try one?) and continued to feed him fattening foods regardless of how much I protested.
Before Poppa got real sick Hank weighed in at nearly 95 pounds. And Poppa was pleased.
Hank died yesterday.
But now old Hank is with Poppa eating fried hot dogs with mustard ("Why mustard, Poppa?" "Because Hank likes mustard best." Ask a dumb question...
And this non "dog" person cried so hard you would have thought she lost a family member. Kept going outside to the truck and just holding him and crying. He just fell over and died, Hubby said it only took a couple of minutes. I kept telling him I was sorry I wasn't there when he died. I know it was me he was wanting at the end...Best damn dog I ever knew. Fuck it hurts.
But Poppa is pleased.
28 comments:
this is hard.. for me as well. It wasn't hard to get attached to Hank.
The first time I met him, I think he didn't know exactly what to think of me. if you remember he damn near jumped over the sofa when I was playing with him
It only took a couple of days in KY last summer, for him to train me! Breakfast became my job second breakfast if he thought I'd gotten up early enough that I didn't remember I'd already fed him
Staying right with Poppa. As many times as he almost took me off my feet "oh, so sorry.. bad eye, ya know" He was so careful around Poppa.
No, he never bit anyone.. but I'd hate to see what he'd have done had anyone tried to hurt Poppa.
I saved the mailman one morning, (well, the mailman thought I saved him anyway!). Its true, if you bothered to really pay attention to him, you could see the laughter in his eyes. Queenie would do that too
and yeah, Poppa must be pretty happy right now. Wonder if they've gone for a ride yet? Wonder what their riding IN? Just the thought brings up lots of questions.
we did lose a family member Critter.. we did. He was as much family as anyone of us.
Yeah, I know we lost a family member...I was being sarcastic with myself for always making fun of people who acted like I'm acting now...can't quit crying...the tears just keeping on coming..
I know. Its not easy to loose anything you connect with like that. Its a special thing, that doesn't happen very often.
No...and there'll never be another Hank...
Tom buried him today...was supposed take the backhoe to bury him across the road at the end of the field but the next thing I know he took him in the back of the wagon and headed the opposite direction...
I went bullistic...crying, cussing fit..thought he was just gonna dump Hank in the bottoms where the cyotes would get him but he was gone for an hour an half...by then I knew he was digging a grave and then I got worried about Tom (father-in-law. Hell, he's 75. I'm drained emotionally and need some good meds and a nap nap...
lotsa hugs girlfriend..
yeah, a nap sounds really good right now.
Lookin for something to send ya... can't find it (go figure).
Dear i'm so sorry about hank, he was a one of a kind, loved those big jaws, he was so helpful when i worked on poppas truck, he sit in it the whole day waiting for his ride, hated to tell him that the motor was bad, you and brat had to get him out of the truck, truely i can't see him gone but i know in my heart him and poppa watch over you now with big smiles on there faces, i think he waited till you were gone so it would not hurt you to watch it happen, he loved you dearly and that will alway be there. if there is any thing you need let me know...
Thanks Ed...I know you got a big heart for animals...old Hank knew it too and took to you right off..
He did enjoy his car rides! And it was so hot that day but he was NOT getting out till he went for a ride!! That was hilarious!
I'm so sorry about Hank's passing.
I LOVE the upside down, smiling pictures of him. What a character indeed.
I too act like my cats and Dog are part of my family. They truly are in my opinion.
Hang in there and thank you for sharing Hank with us through this post.
soozieq - Hank SO enjoying his photo op that day. He loved attention anyway... but it seemed that he was getting so much enjoyment from us laughing at the pictures.. and if you want a GOOD laugh.. turn one of those closeups upside down! My God, I had tears running down my face from laughing at him.
yeah, he was family. No doubt about it.
Sorry about hank.
We've got a cat named Tom who is...well, about a 1,000 years old...I can't imagine he's got many years left in him.
Steve~
I'm so sorry about Hank.. (((hugs)))
Animals - PETS - of all sizes and types can worm their way into our hearts, can't they? In my time I've sat and sobbed over hamsters/budgies/cats/dogs and rabbits.. all of them were family to me.. all of them will be remembered.
soozieq- He was a character!! A very personable dog.
Steven- Tom cat...cool. Old long do cats live?
Thanks Peanut- someday I may get another boxer but it'll be awhile
So sorry to hear about Hank. From the photos, I can see he was a charmer.
Our pets really do become members of the family and so I'm very sorry to hear about your loss.
xx
pinks
I'm sorry, Critter. I'm not a 'dog person', but I, too, once loved a dog. Her name was Dixie. She was a boxer/pit-bull mix and she was fabulous. I'm a germ freak, but I used to set her a plate at the table and let her eat next to me and I let her sleep with me in my bed, too. I can't imagine ever feeling like that about another dog. She was special.
I'm sorry about Hank.
{{{{{Critter}}}}}
Sorry about that, Critter. Hank seems like he was a sweetheart. How old was he?
Thanks lynn...something about those boxers, don't you think?
Hey bug, Hank was 9...about normal for a boxer...they're life span is shorter than most dogs...8 to 10 years they say...prone to genetic heart problems and cancer...
Sorry for your loss, Critter. I'll never forget my Dad coming to me and my sister to tell us our beloved cat couldn't be saved by the Vet. God, how we cried and cried.
:( sorry to hear about Hank.... he looked such a lovely chappy...... even though he was one of them dogs with the 'rude bums' .......
So many animal deaths in this house, mentioned but a few on MrFabs real funny site....
I know that I will be devastated when me skankie tail-less scabbie cat snuffs it.....
((((((((Critter - Hank)))))) gotta just love them pictures.....
x
Aw danggit... I'm sorry to hear of it. We lost our Sydney October of 2005 -- somedays I still get teary-eyed. Some dogs just become part of your heart, they just do. God spelled backward, I guess. Anyway, sorry for your loss, and happy for Poppa and Hank that they get to be together again.
She seems to be a nice doggy although a little hyper. My chihuahua Maggie at first was very shy n hardly came down with the other doggies.but now she has become very friendly with my other dogs.
And hey, just check this out dog fashion clothing
who the fuck is Justin? and why the fuck would I want "dog fucken fashion clothes"? dumbass
Hey Wendy! Since Critter is still running back and forth between cities, thought I'd tell ya 'thanks' for the good thoughts. With everything that is going on right now... she really needs all the good thoughts we can send her way.
Green - I had a black cat named Kizzi.. and I swear, we could read each others minds. He disappeared for 2 weeks and I just knew he was gone gone.. if ya know what I mean. The kids and I walked all over the damn place looking for his body, cause I wanted him home.. even if it was to bury him. We couldn't find him. I was standing at the sink washing dishes, crying.. cause we'd been out about 5 times and I wasn't going to do it again. I was coming to terms with his loss. I had been there with tears streaming down my face for a good 15 minutes when I thought I heard something.. then thought I must be totally loosing my mind. I thought I heard him at the door. Then I heard it again and I almost ripped the door off the hinges to get it open. There he lay... very sick and so thin! He must have gotten trapped in someones tool shed or something like that. He was so weak he could hardly stand up to eat. He rarely left the yard after that. But what a wonderful surprise!
Yeah Marmy... I have more pets then most people would want. And 1 that will totally break my heart when he's gone... and 1 more thats working his way to being in the same position. It would bother me if any where to go... but 2 very special ones at the time.
Eclectic - Queenie was MY pit bull.. I took her away from an abusive neighbor and even tho she was probably 8 or 9 at the time, she lived another 10+ years with us. Not normal for a dog her type or size. But, she had a purpose... and she wasn't going to give it up. I still can't tell a story about her without crying... see... damnit
See ya, Brat, see you Critter! Just saying goodbye before I close up the blog shop. Thanks you all the nice things you've said on my blog.
P
Just sniffing around, looking to see if there's a new post.
Hi, Brat!
Hi, Critter!
Miss you guys. Hope all is as well as it can be.
Translation: Thinking 'boutcha
Love,
Wendy
--
Eddie popped by my place today, I scrolled thru his archives and saw your HB in Feb. both Things 1 & 2 are the 21, and the 22!
A very Happy birthday to you!
(albeit 6 weeks late!!)
this was one of the most wonderful sites i have ever read, you need to start posting agine, please
Critter...I know I'm late coming over to visit, but I'm sorry to hear about your dog Hank. Even though it's the end of the year now and almost 12 months have passed by I know that you still miss him.
My dog died in 2004 and I still miss her. She was also a big part of our family and we considered her one of the children. She was 15 years old and how can you sleep with someone for that long and they not touch your heart in the deepest way.
Loved seeing the pictures of Hank...he was definitely a big ham and it looks like he was enjoying the picture taking session.
We have never replaced our dog because loosing her hurt so bad that we don't want to ever hurt like that again. We however now have cats and have gotten deeply attached to them.
Awe, loosing a pet stinks! Sorry about Hank!
If you want you can have our dog, I hate dogs and love my cats best... Yeah, right hubby would flip if I gave his dog away.
Want a bunny? LOL Ours just got busy against our best efforts to keep them apart and I am sure we have baby bunnies on the way now...
Post a Comment