Cabin Fever

I've been feeling really bad over the past few days because I haven't been able to get Henry his daily trail run.  I fully intended to bring him along to my race this weekend in New Hampshire so he could join in the festivities.  Unfortunately, the campsite (a.k.a.  a soccer field at an all girls camp located on the race course) didn't allow dogs so he had to stay home with the grandparents.  It's too bad because he would have loved the squirrel population up there.

Anyway, maybe it's just my imagination, but I feel like I can read the cabin fever written all over his face.  He's still been getting in all of his walks and wrestling matches with my brother and dad, so he certainly hasn't been neglected.  Still, I swear I can see a little thought bubble forming over his head saying "I cannot believe how long it's been since we've been out to chase squirrels and rabbits.  I know where you sleep..."   I'd have to agree; four days seems like an awfully long time to have been off the trails with my hound.

Well, I think my knees have regained enough mobility to allow me to suffer through a few miles with Sir Henry tomorrow morning before work.  Hopefully he'll take it easy on his gimpy training partner.  More likely, he'll get his revenge bright and early in the woods tomorrow...

Wish Me Luck!

~Chris and Sir Henry

Henry's Habits

I've been called out once again for the infrequency of my blog posts (Katie) but at least they're getting closer together so we're moving in the right direction!  Anyway, I've noticed that Henry has become a creature of habit over the past few weeks and I'd like to let his adoring fans in on some of the quirks he's developed.  So here's a breakdown:

1.  He wakes up every morning at 5:30 (probably my fault for getting him into his running routine).  The problem is that he doesn't understand what weekends are; this isn't always my favorite habit.

2.  When he wakes up, he immediately hits me in the face with his paw or sticks his head over the side of my bed to stare at me until I acknowledge that he's ready to run.  Some days I get the deluxe treatment and he does both.  This morning I ended up with a solid cut in the chin before I could even open my eyes.  Who needs an alarm clock?

3.  This one I actually think is really cool.  We have to run on the road to get to the trail that we run every morning.  There's an underpass that we need to run under and in order to do so we have to cross to the other side of the road.  Every time, at exactly the same point, Henry starts to cross and waits for me to acknowledge that we're going the same way we always do.  He does the same thing on the way home.  Maybe I shouldn't be so surprised that he's hyper-aware of his surroundings but it didn't take him long to get into the routine and I'm definitely impressed.

4.  Katie and I bought him a rope the week before we picked him (one of those ones that's also meant to clean his teeth).  He couldn't be less interested.  EXCEPT, when he's been left alone for a little while and wants to fight with someone.  All of sudden it's his favorite toy and you're in big trouble if you take it away from him.  It's become a ritual when someone comes home.  His entire body shakes while he wags his tail and waits for you to pet him and acknowledge that you left him alone and you were wrong.  Then, he runs off and out comes the rope.  At least his teeth are clean!

I know that I'm forgetting some and there are definitely more on the way.  I'll be sure to post them as Henry comes up with new and exciting ways to make us laugh.  We're really just happy that he's gotten comfortable with the family and he's definitely enjoying being with us.  I promise to keep knocking down the time between posts and updating everyone on Henry's adventures.


-Chris and Henry