My new best friend...

[getreel]

Brady at 3.5 months old. He will be 4 months in mid-November and is already pushing 40 pounds . He loves his chow and the water (what Lab doesn't).

For the record, the costume was given to us. Also, he stuck his head in the plastic pumpkin. We just left it on long enough to get the camera.

[clt_capt]

The puddle pic about sums it up... That's his payback for the costume

Good looking pup

[Agitated88]

As previously posted, my plan was to travel back to Maryland to do some stripper fishing and let Hooper celebrate his 1st birthday (13 Nov) on Hoopers Island. Well, as tends to be the case in "MyWorld", the plan always look better on paper than they do in reality. Let me explain...a couple weeks ago my commander gave me the nod to take a few days of leave to relocate my mother back to MD. So, I decided to hitch her car to my truck...pack both and begin the drive to MD around 0300 Thursday the 12th. I figured we drive 12 hours or so and then stop off at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio...spend the night and then continue on to MD early Friday morning. Seemed simple enough...Hooper and I gave the truck a final once over...he climbed into the back seat and with a final wave to fishergirl, we were off. We stopped at the local Conoco, topped off the tank (Titan's are gas GUZZLERS) grabbed a couple cans of Skoal and we're off. We jump on I-35 and head north through some thick fog...no problem, its early and roads are pretty clear so we press along at a reasonable 60 mph, next on to route 44 heading to Joplin MO. We get through Tulsa without incident, the sun is slowly creeping up and I'm beginning to get comfortable and settled in for the long haul...all of the sudden out of the corner of my eye I see something on the other side of the highway, I know its only November, but I think I just saw a freaking flying reindeer. OMG...it is a freaking deer...and with a leap so high Santa himself would make a roster spot for her she lands in my lane. At this speed there is nothing I can do but hold on and pray...BBBAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMM...Bambi meets the business end of the truck and is promptly catapulted (E=MC2) off the highway. I slow the truck down and look for a safe place to pull over about a 1/4 mile down the road. I get out and this is what I find...






So, after checking all the engine "vitals" to ensure I hadn't punctured the radiator and check my wheel clearance since the bumper had been busted up pretty good. Once I was satisfied I could safely travel, I turned around and limped back home...obviously bummed that we didn't make it to MD, but relieved that no one was hurt. I get home a few hours later...drop the truck off at the body shop and find out the damage...early estimate is $2400...I'm sure that number will climb. Obviously Hooper is bummed as well...

As promised...Part II. Hard to believe I'm actually making this post already..."My New Best Friend", aka "Hooper" turned 1 year old today. I can honestly say that there hasn't been a single moment I haven't enjoyed with him this past year. I know its been said many times before but its amazing how quickly they turn from a puppy to a full fledged family member. I'll end here and let the pictures speak for themselves...Happy Birthday Hooper.

[clt_capt]

Sorry about your truck - but it is just sheet metal and plastic. Glad you and Hooper are safe.

He is a good looking dog - the cake pics are priceless.

[Agitated88]

That's exactly what I told my dad afterward...a few inches one way or another...or if I had foolishly swerved while towing the car It defiantly could have been worse! Hopefully the truck will be fixed in a week or so and I can get a mulligan on the whole trip. Fishergirl did a good job on the cake...nice lil dog friendly recipe, lots of peanut butter, yogurt frosting, carrot shavings and bacon bits as decoration. Hooper was a bit timid at first...just licking around, but once he got a taste of the peanut butter...it was on. He even let Sadie, my rescued Boston Terrier and Gidgit, my mom's Cocker Spaniel share.

[giantfan]

Happy Birthday Hooper!

Sorry to hear about the truck, glad to hear you guys are OK.

Hooper looks great, I see he didn't have any problem sharing his cake, very cool.

Love the pic with him next to the truck... it looks like he feels responsible.

[Captain Fred Archer]

Troop,

Sorry about the truck and good driving and control on your part. Hooper looks like he's saying, "you mean a deer did that? Holy cow, I'm never gonna chase one of those things, dad! I'm sticking with ducks and geese, maybe pheasants!"

Hoop,

Happy Birthday, ya handsome dawg, ya!

Thanks for the picts.

Should have invited Butters...I mean, Brady. I wonder what kind of costume he'd have worn? Man, what a cute pup!

Thanks all. You have no idea how much your dog pictures brighten up a sick old man's day.

[Agitated88]

Happy Birthday Hooper!
Sorry to hear about the truck, glad to hear you guys are OK.
Hooper looks great, I see he didn't have any problem sharing his cake, very cool.
Love the pic with him next to the truck... it looks like he feels responsible.

I appreciate that Ted...we feel pretty fortunate as well, it could have been way worse. All three dogs get along...most of the time...but it was good to seem them share.

Troop,

Sorry about the truck and good driving and control on your part. Hooper looks like he's saying, "you mean a deer did that? Holy cow, I'm never gonna chase one of those things, dad! I'm sticking with ducks and geese, maybe pheasants!"
Hoop,
Happy Birthday, ya handsome dawg, ya!
Thanks for the picts.
Should have invited Butters...I mean, Brady. I wonder what kind of costume he'd have worn? Man, what a cute pup!
Thanks all. You have no idea how much your dog pictures brighten up a sick old man's day.

Capt Fred...thanks for the kind words and I'm glad the you enjoyed the pictures. Thanks again for all you do for Lab's and I promise to keep the Hooper updates coming!!!

[Parapapam]

Here are two male pups out in the field doing what male pups do.... One is Chappy. The other one in the orange hat is Alex.

They both are Mutton Heads....

Mike

[Agitated88]

Here are two male pups out in the field doing what male pups do.... One is Chappy. The other one in the orange hat is Alex.
They both are Mutton Heads....
Mike

Wow...Chappy sure is getting big...thanks for the update!!!