#8, Hank the Tank

After securing a new home for the big beautiful bloodhound Bificus, we had to get a replacement, of course.  We couldn't have just one dog to care for...that is unheard of.  My dad had heard through his coffee shop talk that there were some really nice lab puppies for sale south of Robinson.  Mom and dad were in the market for a new dog (yeah, thanks to me and my car) and so were we.  Why not get two?!

My parents picked out a yellow female pup they named Ziporah (Zippy) and we got the fattest, laziest chocolate male lab there was and named him Hank the Tank.  Now, I've told you before I'm a lab person.  My parents raised lab puppies when we were younger and we've had several (unfortunately).  We know, or think we do, how to pick a good one.  My dad always said to go for the one that sits back and just watches, doesn't run right up to you, big square head and big feet...that is what we got.

Hank the Tank was beautiful.  He was probably the best lab puppy we have ever had or seen.  He had the best disposition and was just plain lazy.  He slept with us from the beginning and eventually got so big it was no longer an option.  He was humongous.  Everywhere we went people asked how old he was because he was so big.  Because of his size and quick growth, his legs didn't develop correctly on the front.  He couldn't run real well and even looked funny walking.  He took walks with Abby and I faithfully, but when it came to running, it was painful looking and he tried not to as much as possible.

One snowy Monday morning in December, the kids were out of school and I had to go to work.  Jay decided he would take me because the roads were covered.  We loaded up in the truck, Hank wanted to come along (as he usually went everywhere with us) but he was all wet so we said no.  Fatal mistake.  For whatever reason, maybe because we were going slow and he was sad, he followed us down the lane that morning.  He almost never left the house, but this day he did.  He was hit by our friend just after we left.  There was nothing anyone could've done.  It was slick and Hank was slow.  Hank was just shy of his first birthday.

We were devastated.  It was a curse.  If only we had taken him with us.  I immediately notified the people we got the pup from and told them the next time they had puppies, we wanted one.  We want one just like Hank the Tank and from the same parents.  I never heard back from them until...