Last Weekend and a Sleepy Puppy

Last weekend was a great one - we spent almost the whole weekend in Berkeley at Tyler's place and visited some good spots around the area. One of those was a park right by the bay, Cesar Chavez park, that had great views of the water and also off leash parts that Hinck could play in. Hinck is getting better at going off leash - he'll run ahead but before he gets too far, he turns around to wait for us slow-pokes. He's also better about coming when we call him (especially when there aren't cute girl-dogs around.)





After we came back from the park, we tried to lock Hinckley out just for a joke. He wasn't very happy with us.


On Wednesday, I took Hinck to Water Dog Park in Belmont. Mom, Dad, & Sally took him there back in November, and I had been meaning to try it out but didn't realize just how easy it was to get to! It's about 4 min from the Belmont library, which I like a whole lot. We went there after work and ran into a sweet yellow lab who tried to convince Hinck to go swimming in the lake/pond that's in there. Even with the temptations of a new friend, a ball being tossed, and DUCKS Hinck still would only let his feet get wet. I'm somewhat convinced that this summer the hot weather will change his mind, but until then fingers crossed. He was still plenty wet, though, and stayed in the car to get warm & cozy while I searched for books at the library afterward.


This weekend has been a lot less sunny, so less adventures. Instead, Hinck's been sleeping. He's very cute when he sleeps - evidence below:

It's been awhile...

Hinckerz, Tyler, and I have been having some real adventures, some even involving some guest stars, and so far I've done a pretty terrible job documenting it. Now that I'm done with my crazy project, I'm hoping to make blog posting more regular. For now, here's a look at some of our travels!


Tyler and I had a fun lunch visit a few weeks ago, joined by Hinck. Tyler got the puppy and I got the food, and we met in the park downtown. It really does make a difference in how enjoyable your workday is when you can break it up with a silly puppy and a great boyfriend and a game of frisbee!


Over the March 13-15 weekend, we had to leave Hinck behind when we went to Louisville, KY to play with some college friends. We had a great time and Hinck was also in great hands. He spent two days and two nights at Planet Pooch, an awesome doggie daycare (with sleepover service) in the SF area (its actually where Hinck's classes are taught and he has puppy playgroup) and then another day with Sally and Adam. Needless to say, he was exhausted and dirty when he got home, so I gave him a nice warm bath which he didn't like too much but seemed happy about after the fact.


Over my birthday weekend, the whole family was in town and we had a great time taking Hinck all over the place. That included a trip to Crissy Fields, another beachy off leash area in SF. He had a really good time running around with some new dog friends, even with the eight of us ogling at him and my mum occasionally getting nervous about him or other dogs playing too roughly. It was pretty exciting to see him with a background of sailboats to match his sailboat collar. Too bad he's still afraid of the water :)


Last Sunday we took Hinck to a hilly off leash park called Bernal Heights. He had been before with Sal and Adam, but the rest of us had never been. It was fun to see him run ahead and then turn back to wait for us, with a look that seemed to say "Come on, slowpokes!" At one point he got a little caught up playing with this fast little dog, and he got pretty far away from us. All seven of us were calling "Hinck! Hinck!" but he couldn't hear and just stood there looking sad and confused, until I ran down the hill and caught his attention. He's a dear. We had tons of fun, and fully plan to visit Bernal more in the future.

Another Fun Weekend

Believe it or not, we had so much fun at Fort Funston last weekend that we decided to go again, in the morning of the superbowl. This time we got some companions - Sal and Ads, just returned from their trip to Kenya! We tried once again to get Hinck interested in the water. Tyler tried his famous 'drop Hinck in a wave' tactic (didn't seem to work at all) and the rest of us experimented with throwing sticks at the tidal line. Hinck is still pretty nervous or maybe just cold-pawed but he ran after the stick probably 85%, so it looks like he could yet be a water dog. We're certainly working on it! Some pictures...though there is one out there of a end-of-football-game pigpile that didn't end up on my camera that should also be posted with this set (Hint, Hint)

Best buds.

Tyler and Hinckley brave the icy waves.

Of course Hinck needed a bath - turns out this is WAY easier than getting him in the tub :)

Fort Funston Adventure!

We decided to take Hinckley on an adventure today, so around 3pm we headed up north to Fort Funston. You may recall that we brought him up there a few months ago when our friend Lindsay was in town and he was just a wee pup - we tried to take him swimming but he wasn't super thrilled about it. Seems as though he is still a bit timid about the water, but this time we tried letting him off leash and he just went wild.

I was worried that we'd have trouble getting him back, since we haven't really been able to practice off leash near other dogs so much - the park near my house is leash-on. And it was a bit challenging, but on the beach down there, it's not as though he can get "away" or anywhere near cars or anything, so we were able to chase him down and bribe him back with treats.

One sad moment - while Hinck was playing with some new friends another pup found his chicken toy...and stole it...and ate it. So chicken toy is kind of no more. I'm thinking maybe with some clever seamstressing I can turn it into a new toy, but we'll see.

Last but not least, some pics! You may notice that Hinckley is wearing a new collar - its the one I bought in Newport, RI right after I found out he had been born with his brothers and sisters. It features sailboats and makes him look very handsome. In fact, we got several comments about how pretty he is. Go Hinckley!

Hinck checks out the ocean waves

My favorite boys :)

Hinck made plenty of new friends...
mainly by chasing them around until he got too tired

Though we put a dish down, Hinck seemed pretty intent on drinking salt water.
Not the greatest idea, Hinck.
We'll probably be seeing evidence of that later - yuck.

I told Hinckley that when we're on the beach he can dig all he wants.
He took it to heart.

Crazy weather with a crazy puppy

If you hadn't heard, it's been raining cats and dogs here in California. For the first time in years, we've had thunder and lighting in addition to LOTS of rain (oh my!) This morning, Hinck and I decided to brave the elements for a walk/run (what I like to call a "Romp.") It was pretty crazy and 100% fun. First of all, we were pretty much the only people outside, since it was a torrential downpour and also gusting about 20-25 knots. And we got soaking wet. And Hinck was totally into it, jumping in puddles, splashing in wet patches of grass, and running around in circles. We came back from the walk soaked like oversized wet rats but tired and refreshed in a good way. Here are some post-romp pictures :)



Hinck is continuing to be the best puppy of all time. Sure, he likes to make a mess of chewed up bark on my floor, pull towels apart, and jump on my bed at any and all times...but when he looks at you with those big eyes and makes his doggy purr (you know it if you've heard it) its pretty hard to think he's anything less than amazing. He says hi to all his blog's readers!

Back with my Pup!

As Sal mentioned, Hinck and I spent the holidays apart - he in the very good care of my friend Becca & her family, then our friends Leah & Jeff, and lastly with Sally and Adam. Becca sent me some great pictures of Hinck hanging out with her two dogs and their neighbors puppy. I have no idea how they got them so still to take this picture, but my guess it had to do with the hike they took to get to this beautiful hilltop!





It was hard to be away from Hinck and its so great to have him back now. He's a lot bigger, and darker then I remembered, but the same old Hinck...chewing everything to pieces, including pinecones on my freshly vacuumed floor.

Today we got to spend a nice Sunday just lazing around before I have to go back to work...he lazing because its his nature, and me because I'm still feeling under the weather. Thanks to Sal & Ad for the bed, and Deane for the bone, here is Hinck's sweet new lounge setup:



I wish I was feeling up to romping around with him some, but I'm hoping we can do some of that tomorrow morning before I leave for work, lucky for us I'm still on East Coast time. And sorry for the long spaces between posts! I'll try to be more frequent in the new year.

Pup-sitting

Adam and I got to take care of Hinckley for a few days while Jo was away. Hinckley came with me to work (his first foray into the working world), and had a couple days of recreation - exploring, digging holes, playing tug-of-war, taking a bath, and visiting with friends.


Just arrived


Riding around SF


Looking down from Twin Peaks


A dog at work


Playing with friends


Grrrrr...


Bath time


New bed - no more reason to jump up on ours.

It was a fun few days. We miss you, Hinck!