Hunter settles in

Too many times in life we expect things to be a certain way and in my life things had been a certain way for a few years. I had a routine that was flexible and easily changeable to allow me to do what I needed to do when I needed to do it. The only thing that was set was my work schedule and that varied depending on the needs of my job. If I needed to work in the morning and run errands later I could or vice versa.  My days off were not set so I could make appointments and not have to lose time at work or use vacation or sick hours to go. With an elderly parent that I help take care of that is important. I could stay up late and work on emails or play games on the iPad. I could get up early and do my workout routine. I could fit most anything I needed to do into my day. It was my time. It revolved around me. Not anymore. Now it revolves around Hunter. His schedule is flexible and easily changeable to allow him to do what he needs to do when he needs to do it. His time, not yours and he isn't shy about letting you know either.

Since he has become a part of our family we have had to make a few adjustments. He has too, but mostly me and Charlie. Actually I'd say we made 90% of the adjustments. I am afraid  that number will rise in the future. Actually I'm sure it will.  Enjoy.


Hunter settles in

At my mom and dad's house they were always up early and would put me or Coco out first and feed the other one then switch us. Mom would get Elyse up and ready for daycare and then soon after that all of them would be gone for the day. They would come home in the evening and repeat the process spending more time with me and Coco. We would play with each other or with Elyse. She couldn't play a lot because she was so little and couldn't walk or talk much. Coco and I would be very careful around her and Coco would lie next to her bed and keep an eye on her when she slept. We had a routine and it was easy to follow. Everyone knew what they were supposed to do. Here at grandma's it's different. Sometimes she gets up very early and sometimes she gets up late. Sometimes grandaddy would be home all day working and sometimes he would be "on the road" all day. There was no routine that I could see. It was all jumbled up. Since there was no routine if I needed to go "out" I needed to let them know. I would be in the crate and couldn't get out by myself. The first few mornings I almost didn't make it to the "spot" by the mailbox. I needed to figure out a better way. That night I decided I wouldn't get into the crate. I wouldn't even go up the stairs. "Come on Hunter time for bed. Grandma has to get up early in the morning." She said. Nope, I'm not doing it. " let's go Hunter. Up." Said grandaddy. I sat down in the floor at the bottom of the stairs. "Now look. I'm not playing with you, dog. Let's go!" Grandaddy said. " Grab his harness and he will have to follow you" said grandma " and I will open the crate." "OK here goes." Grandaddy tugs and pulls and I just lay there. "Man he's heavy." Said grandaddy. " want me to help?" Asks grandma. "No. I have a feeling we are fighting a losing battle. We leave him out while we are at work so let's try it for the night and see what happens." " Well, OK if you're sure." Grandma said. " I'm sure I'm not dragging a 70lb dog up the stairs." Said grandaddy. Success! I got to sleep on the couch that night. The next morning. I walk up the stairs into their room. I go to granddaddy's side and paw at him. He doesn't move. I blow in his face. He doesn't move. I move to grandmas side and do the same. She finally wakes up and with a lot of grumbling gets up to take me out. It's cold and dark outside. Fortunately there are a few street lamps to light the way. I would love to go for a long walk but grandma complains about how cold and early it is and how she needed another couple hours of sleep before she goes to work so I give in and we go inside. She puts out fresh food and water then goes back to bed for a little more sleep. After I eat a bit I jump on the couch and go over in my mind the events of the morning. Things went pretty well. I went out in time and didn't have to rush. Had a nice meal. Hmm. I think I have found my new routine. Now, about this pillow...

An Explaination

Welcome! 

I hope you have enjoyed the first couple of posts about Hunter. He is a special dog, and he has certainly provided Charlie and me with a continuous source of entertainment and angst. Oh and hair, lots of hair. Those of you who know us are aware that we are not pet people. When people would ask if we wanted a puppy or kitten my response was always “I have a husband and two children. I don't need anything else to care for or clean up after."  

We did have pets when the girls were young. Mostly to help them learn responsibility and how to care for others. We had cats. With their aloofness and ability to entertain themselves, without any input from us, they were the optimal pet. Charlie had a favorite cat as a young boy named Tom. My family had the occasional mutt whose job it was to run varmint patrol and sound the alarm when strangers approached.  

Not so with Hunter. He requires large amounts of attention, but on his terms. While he and cats do have something in common, they both sleep a lot, he needs to be walked, fed, watered, petted, groomed and entertained. You must talk to him and engage him when he wants or he sulks. If you take too long to respond he will swat at you with one of his big paws.

In the mornings if you aren't up and ready to take him out when he is wants, regardless of the time, you get hit with a paw and he huffs doggie breath in your face. One of his very favorite things to do is lie on or lean up against you. This requires you to pet him the whole time. When he is satisfied he will get up and move to the couch, lay his head on the pillow and go to sleep. Then you are free to go about your business until he is ready again.

All that aside, he is a loving animal and while he may not be super excited that you interrupted his nap by coming home, he is always happy to see you if you have a treat ready.  These stories are all based on the reality of taking care of Hunter and how we have to muddle through and learn by trial and error. Charlie and I hope we do a good job so we can give him back in at least as good a shape as he was when we got him.

Thanks for reading!!

Sharon

Then it happened. Mom started crying and dad got upset. They would talk to one person and then another and another until finally the last one came out. He must have been important. Granddaddy stood with his arms crossed and a scary look on his face and Grandma kept chasing Elyse. Mom and Dad came over and spoke to Granddaddy who got mad and all I could do was watch. I heard Mom say "...won't let him on the plane. They gave out incorrect information and now he has to go as freight." I don't know what that is but it sounded bad. Mom just looked at me and cried more. I didn't know what to do. Dad said " ...earliest they can get him out is Thursday and it will cost $2000.” The way he said it made me think that was a lot. Then Mom said "What are we supposed to do? Leave him here at the airport!?" What! No! Wait! Finally Granddaddy said “ok, don't worry about it we can take him for now. If we need to come back we can. Grandma has all week off from work just in case something came up." Phew! That was a close one!

I like Grandma and Granddaddy. I haven't been to their house before but that's ok. Mom said “You really will take him? I know you aren't pet people". "Of course" Granddaddy said. “It won’t be for long." Mom and Dad were not happy but needed to get on the plane themselves. Grandma picked up Elyse and hugged her tight, gave her lots of kisses and handed her to Granddaddy. He did the same. Mom and dad took me outside and tried to explain what was going on but they just hugged me and cried. I was very sad. I finally got them back and now they were leaving me again. Granddaddy got my stuff together and put it and me in his car then he and grandma hugged everyone one last time. My family was leaving me again. I was heartbroken. I didn't understand. I just lay down on the seat and closed my eyes.

We got in very late that night and I was exhausted. Granddaddy put my crate upstairs and I got in it and stayed. I didn't want to eat, or play. I was sad. My family was gone and I was someplace else. Everyday Grandma would take me out for walks and pet me and hug me. Granddaddy did too but not as much. It made me feel a little better. Each day I could hear them talking on the phone trying to find a way to get me to my family. Sometimes Mom and Grandma would talk on the computer and I could see them. Mom always said she loved me and Elyse would call my name. Dad would say he missed me. It was very nice to hear, but it also made me sad. I wanted to be with them.

One day while talking on the computer I heard Mom crying again. She was saying how they couldn't afford the cargo fees to bring me over because I was so big. I would need a special crate and it would be a long roundabout trip. It could take a couple of days just to get there and they hadn't found a place to live yet. I then heard her say" I'll put the word out that we need someone to take him and give him a good home. You guys have been great keeping him these past few weeks but I can't ask you to continue. He's our dog and we will find him a nice new family. I'll let you know as soon as we get a response. I hate to lose him but I don't know what else to do." WHAT! NO! I don't want a new family! I want my old family! My heart was pounding in my chest so hard I was afraid it would jump out of it. I looked at Grandma and then at Granddaddy. Do something! Please! Help me! Please!

I live with Grandma and Granddaddy now. They have a nice house and there is a new fence in the backyard so I can go out and play. We get along great and they take good care of me. When Grandma said “don’t worry about it, we will not let you lose your pet because the airline gave you false information. It was inexcusable and unacceptable but not your fault. We will take care of him for you. He's a good dog and very little trouble." I knew I had been saved! I was so happy and so relieved! Mom told me to be a good dog for Grandma and Granddaddy. Treat them like I would treat her and dad and not to worry, they would come back for me.

We talk on the computer often and Elyse is getting so big! She still calls my name and now she blows me kisses. Mom and dad smile at me and tell me they miss me. I don't get as sad as I used to. Grandma is fun, but she can be bossy just like Coco. Sometimes she shares her treats with me and sometimes we go on adventures. I can hardly wait.

Tales of Hunter, the Accidental Pet

Hi, my name is Hunter and I am a dog. I don't know what kind of dog I am, just that I'm a BIG one.  I remember Mom saying I was Weimaraner/mix.  She wanted a Pit Bull like Dad's dog Coco.  I guess I'm supposed to be one but I sure don't look like it.  I'm tall and long and my tail can clean off a coffee table in a single swoop.  Dad is in the Army and Mom is a probation officer, whatever that means.  They have a pup named Elyse, she's a girl and real small but that's ok. I like her. She lets me lick her face and she gives me kisses.

 When my family moved I had to go to the kennel for awhile. It was alright and I made some friends but really missed my family. I was there for a whole month.  Coco got to ride in the car with them and take a trip. Since she's a pit bull and couldn't go overseas with us she went to stay with Yaya and Papa. They have 2 dogs already but were able to fit Coco right in.  I hope it works out because she can be very bossy!

I was so happy when my family came back to get me.  Mom just hugged and hugged me.  Dad was doing paperwork so I could get on the plane with them but when he was done he squeezed me tight and petted me a lot.  I had to get all kinds of shots and have a chip put in.  What that is or why I need it I don't know but it must be important.  It didn't hurt or anything but it was sort of scary. 

When we got outside I found Elyse, Grandma, Granddaddy and Yaya all waiting for me. That was a surprise. I was so happy!  I ran all around them and jumped and wagged my tail.  I didn't want to get in the car, I wanted to play.  But we had to go because we needed to get ready for the big trip the next day.  I was a little scared but I knew Mom and Dad would take care of me.  I also knew Coco was jealous because she couldn’t go and that made me feel a little better.  The hotel room was nice but I had trouble going to sleep.  Too excited I guess.

The next morning we got up and packed the cars with all of our stuff…even the crate.  I didn't like the crate but knew it was how I was riding in the plane.  I wanted to be with my family and the rules said I had to be in a crate.  We stopped for breakfast and finally got on the way to the airport.  It was a long drive.  I rode in the back and just slept most of the way.

When we got close I looked out the window and saw all the big planes.  There were lots and lots of people, more than I had ever seen before.  It was frightening.  I sort of liked the crate better after that.  Mom and Dad, Grandma and Granddaddy and Yaya all started taking stuff out of the cars and putting them on carts.  They were piling stuff up pretty high.  They even put me on one.  I sat very still hoping nothing would fall.  Finally the cars were empty and Yaya gave hugs and kisses all around and drove away.  Dad and Granddaddy pushed carts inside and Mom and Grandma carried bags and Elyse. 

Boy was that a big place!  Big and loud. I made myself as small as I could and waited.  Elyse would point and say "Hunter" sometime and stick her hand in to pet me.  Grandma kept walking her around and chasing after her.  I decided I would let her do that.  I was safer in the crate.

Then something went very wrong...