Gotcha Ya and Christmas

This was me on the very day they brought me home

We read on Frankie Furter and Miss Minna Krebs blogs that there's some stuff you want to know about.  So hear it goes...My Mom and Dad use to doggie sit for our friend Zena and every time she left the house my Mom would say how empty the house was and how much she thought she wanted a dog.  They kept dog sitting and she kept saying it so one day, Dad said, "I'm tired of hearing it, if you want a dog lets get one".

So little my ears didn't even stand up yet

So mom went online and looked at all the dog breeds out there and looked to see which dogs would be little but still a good hearty dog for Dad to walk. Then they said they wanted a dog that wouldn't shed so much.  So out came the computer and the list of dogs and West Highland Terrier was right there!!!!  They didn't get one right away, Mom had to research and research and then the books were bought.  She thought she would have to drive a while to get one and Zena's mom said, "I'll take the road trip with you."  Then she found Pandy's in Frenchtown, NJ.  Is not super close but close enough.  So she called and talked to Jennie.  Jennie and her husband are cow farmers and they raise Westies and Cairn Terriers and Fox Terriers.

Jennie said that a litter was just born but that they may be too late because all of the puppies were spoken for.  BUT then her husband called to say that there was one puppy left and they didn't know who would be a better home for it.  So they waited and then the call came.  I WAS ALL THEIRS!!!!

awww I love my Dog Dad

They had to wait a little but then went to the farm to see the puppies.  Little balls of white, barking and moving around...and then Jennie asked them if they had to pick one which one would they pick.  They picked me up and put their name on my neck collar and I crossed my paws that I was going home with them.

This is me on Aunt Nic's counter

It was just after Easter in 2006 when I could hear the car coming up the dirt road...out of that car was my new mom and her bestest friend Nic.  My real Dad greeted them at the door and they waited for them to bring me around.  Out I came with Jennie, a bottle of her water and some food to get me through a couple of days.  Mom was afraid to hold me so she made her friend take me from Jennie...I was so little and Mom never had a puppy.

They signed the papers, got a couple of quick instructions and off we went.  Aunt Nic even bought me some treats and toys for my first ride home.  I still love those chicken treats.

When we got home my Auntie Kris and Dad were waiting to see me!!!  They had toys and treats for me too.  And then the name....HOKE.  Ever see the movie 'Driving Miss Daisy'...well Hoke is the driver in that movie!  Mom loves the movie and loves that Hoke and Daisy become best friends at the end.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

I love napping

Ok...so now for Christmas...Mom and Dad aren't getting a thing from me...look what they do to me, year in and year out.  An Elf...are you kidding?!

Happy Turkey Day!!

There is so much to be thankful for.  I'm thankful that they care for me.  I'm thankful that they take me out for long walks to stretch my leg and smell all the things the outdoors has for me.  I'm thankful that I have a nice bed to sleep on and that I can have a treat everyday.  I'm thankful that people come to see me and that I get to run around in the yard.  I'm thankful that I don't get into too much trouble and that they hug me (ok not really). I'm thankful that turkey makes me sleepy so I can sneak in just a couple more zzzz's.   I know how lucky I am and never take one day for granted...What are you thankful for??

From our house to yours...we hope your bird is yummy and that you share some with your doggie!!!

FIRE FIRE

Ok...now this is just not fair.  They get the fire place and I get yelled at for barking at it each and everytime they turn it on and off.  At first I didn't know what the whhooossshh sound was but then i figured out that it was this firey box on the wall.  Seems that they only turn it on when it's cold out but it's my job to attack that fireplace and let it know who's boss.  I think they put that iron Scottie there to protect them from it but I give that little guy a nose butt, letting him know I'll handle it.   It took me a little while, but I've learned the very sound that remote makes when they pick it up from the table and I can hear it from anywhere in the house.  I jump at that fireplace and I stand right on the hearth and I bark and I warn that fire to stay back!!  Now, they have been trying to train me not to bark...and I'm really trying to be good, I really am but it's my job as the dog of the house to fight that fire breathing dragon.

Boy time!

Hoke loves to be outside no matter the weather...well unless its hot out. So this weekend while I'm away, hoke gets to be outside with Kevin all weekend. Cutting the grass for the last time, blowing the leaves and having a stinky cigar...boys time is treasured time. One only knows what trouble has found them?

Family

TanQ and Kadia

Murray

Yesterday was TanQ's birthday.  My sister sent us this picture so I thought I'd share with you, Hoke's family!  TanQ is a Pitbull...and a sweet one at that!  Really he thinks he's a lapdog.  Kadia (the bigger of the two) is an American Bulldog and she's a cutie and listens like no other dog we know.  His other two cousins are Murray, a rescue who lives with my sister-in-law.  Murray keeps her company and takes Kath on plenty of walks.  AND finally there's Moose...Moose lives with his mom, dad and our 2 nephews.  Moose is a Golden Retriever.  He's still a puppy and loves to play in the yard! I guess it runs in the family to do silly things to our dogs!!

Moose

Do you have any for me?

I'm sure you have all figured it out by now, Hoke has a pretty good life!  While we do cater to him, we also are very consistent making sure he stays within the boundaries we have set.  He's a terrier after all and often stubborn as a mule.  We make him sit at the door and wait until we step outside before we let him, he sits each time he comes in. He knows how to wait until we give him the "ok" command and he knows when to drop something and will let us take anything from him, including a treat right out of his mouth.  He lets us brush him, bath him (shhh don't want him to hear that), and file his nails when they get out of control.  He doesn't pull on the leash (most times) or chew on our shoes.  BUT of all the things that make him forget it all is our food, dinner, lunch, breakfast, dessert...if we have it, he wants it!  Kevin always finds the need to share just a little bit with him, weather its steak or a little taste of pudding.  If Kevin has it, Hoke will lick his chops and patiently wait for just a little taste.  He never begs but who needs to when you have puppy dog eyes like his!

Cardboard Boxes

I will protect you from the brown box!

Oh no!!  It's that time of year-----Christmas Shopping Season!!!  I do alot of shopping online...it's just easier to have things delivered to the house!!  Unfortunately this is Hokes least favorite time of year.  We think he must be allergic to any kind of delivery person, not to mention that he will bark at a box left on the back porch probably for most of the day.  We change his name to Inspector General this time of year simply because a package does not cross into this house without Hokes "sniffing" approval.  Top to bottom, side to side, up and down...sniff sniff sniff!  Once he's done, he will never pay another second of attention to it.

Oops!!

Today is Kevin's birthday!  This morning he said that he wanted to take Hoke with us to Holgate and walk to the inlet which is between LBI and Altantic City.  During our trip to the beach this summer, he noticed a sign that said dogs were allowed on the beach after the season ended.   So off we went....we walked for over a mile on the beach, looking at shells and enjoying the quiet.  Hoke just trotted along happy as can be.  We were passed by a few trucks (with passes to drive on the beach) on their way to a fishing spot...until one pulled over to tell us that no dogs were permitted on the beach because it's a bird sanctuary and protected land.  Now we knew that the sanctuary and birds were there but it never crossed our mind that that part of the beach was off limits at this time of the year.  Dogs are allowed on the beach after the 15th of September...but just not Holgate.   We got a good walk in but of course turned around.  Good thing we didn't run into a patrolling Ranger.  BUT the best part of the day for Hoke...he got his own piece of birthday cake on his own plate, not the left over crumbs!

Sleep

Isn't it a wonderful thing to be able to snuggle up in a warm bed and sleep.  I know that I look forward to it but have a question for you all!  We have heard that when a dog sleeps on his back it means that they are very comfortable and secure in their surroundings??  While it makes sense, how can that be comfortable for them?  Hoke will sleep on his back for hours on end...sometimes starting on his side and wiggle wiggle wiggle until he's completely on his back with all 4 paws in the air!!  If we wake up and find him like that, it always makes us giggle, not matter what time it is!!  You have to wonder if they are hoping for a belly-rub:)

Normal Life

Well it didn't take long for Hoke to get right back into his routine after being at the kennel for a couple of days while we visited the Grand Canyon and Sedona.  Sleep, eat, poop and play barbell!!  We hate to leave him but know that he's in good hands being at Best Friends Kennel in Windsor.  The send us a picture of him with a little note in email each and every time he visits...just to let us know that all is ok, and that he's having a good time!!  So he came home with a new hair cut (we are growing his skirt back in) and no bark!!  We think he must bark the entire time he is there.  I think I will send a bottle of Advil and earplugs along with him next time he goes.

Happy Halloween!!

Sorry to be so late with this but she put the computer away while she was away.  Look what they have done to me!  Damn that Photoshop!!