Missing Dad

Hi there,

I haven't been able to update my profile for a while now. I've been very upset since my Mom told me that my Dad was killed in action on June 21, 2008. He had been away from home for so long but I knew that every day that passed brought him closer to returning to us. I am very proud of my Dad though since he truly believed in the work he was doing and was proud to serve our country. He was the best Dad I could have ever asked for.

Today is my birthday and I don't even feel like celebrating. Perhaps a treat or two will be consumed but I won't be happy about it.
I hope all of you out there are happy and surrounded by the humans you love.

Woof woof,
Hannibal Barca

Dad's Birthday

Hi Everyone,

I am still blue, and so is my Dad. He's still with is other pack (The Army) in Afghanistan, but is going to move to a place called Kandahar. He's not sure if there are more homeless dogs there, but he'll tell me.

Meanwhile, I am injured. I have a bad front leg, and I am on all sorts of pain killers until it heals. I know it has to do with age, but I feel really young inside.

My dad is really blue. Any time he hears I am not feeling well, he worries that we won't see each other ever again. Mom tries to cheer him up, but sometimes she gets worried, too.

As for me, I PRAY I will see him again, but I already thank God for having Mom and Dad find me at the rescue. They loved me more, in the past four years, than all of my other years combined. I was lucky to be part of this family, have my three beds, my two sets of bowls, a bunch of blankets, a kitty for a sister, a Mom who loves all wayward souls (like my kitty-sister, my human-Dad and me).

Dad sent me a present, but it hasn't gotten here, yet. It's HIS birthday, but he sent ME a present! Even MOM doesn't get a birthday present for Dad's birthday ... I must be pretty special to him.

Well, I am going to stand by the front door, in case the mailman brings my present. I can't wait! My Dad thinks of everything! It must be something really cool!

Woof Out, ya'all!

H.B.

Missing Dad

It's January of 2008, and my Dad has been away from home, off and on, for the past four months. He's in a human pack called "The Army," and I am told he had to go someplace where people don't often hang around with dogs.

I wish I were with him. He's not afraid or anything, but I do know he likes my company more than anyone else's in the whole world ... Mom may be higher up on that food chain, but then again ... we might be about even.

Dad's in Afghanistan. He goes out into parts of a city called Kabul. In some places, there are wild dogs that no one loves. But like he did with me ... he loves them up if they don't try to bite him.

I miss my Dad's smell. He used to come home from work, and hug me so hard I thought my sides were going to BUST! But I miss those hugs more than I like Hamburgers.

I am getting on in years. As a matter of fact, my life expectancy was only 8 1/2 - 10 years. Mom and Dad adopted me when I was 8. I am 11 now. I will be 12 when Dad finally comes home ... God, please let me make it at least that long. I want to see my Dad again.

Woof Out Ya'all.

H.B.

MORE Humans?

Hi Y'all

Hiking at Great Falls

Dad took a day off from work, for my birthday, and we went hiking at Great Falls, MD!

It was GREAT ... can you see the photo? This was a BIG change from walking around my neighborhood that has a lot of concrete, and some grass/trees/bushes. Mind you, I am not complaining about my neighborhood, but this was AWESOME!

We walked down this BIG path where mules used to tow barges. We climbed down a bunch of rocks, to the edge of the Potomac River, where I found a new digital camera that someone left behind.

We tried to find the owners, and even left a note at lost & found, but no one claimed it at the end of that day (note: Dad downloaded the photos, figured out who owned it, and gave it back to him yesterday).

We went across the canal, and started hiking a trail there. Soon, though, the trail ended, and we found ourselves hiking over BIG rocks, with no trail in sight. Dad had to pick me up and lift me up some big rocks. But we MADE IT as a TEAM! GO TEAM BARCA!

Christmas is coming and I don't know what to get anyone. My Mom says that all she wants is for me to be healthy and happy ... I can't HELP but love that lady. She has such a big heart.

Dad said he wants lots of licks, for me to lay on his feet more, and to keep wagging my tail when he comes home from work.

... Christmas shopping is Done !

Merry Christmas everyone.

-Woof Out y'all,

-H.B.

Almost 10

Hi All,

Well, it's true: I am coming up on my 10th birthday. Time sure flies when you are loved.

My first years, I was abused, and time dragged by. Now that I am in a loving family, it seems like I just got here yesterday. And now I am turning 10 ... that's 70 in people years. Mom and Dad are talking about doing something BIG for my birthday, but I am happy just to be loved by them.

My Dad just came back from a ten day trip and I am glad ... now HE can be the man of the house, and I can finally rest. So I slept like a LOG the last two nights. I even slept on the couch while my Dad watched some TV. With his arm on me, or his hand petting me ... I can sleep hard, and dream of nice things.

My Mom took really good care of me while Dad was gone, but I had to protect her and the feline. Dad told me to, while he was gone. I was ever vigilant against intruders ... none came, but I was ready.

This weekend, we are all going back to Laurel Grove where I can walk around without a leash, pee and poop wherever I want, and sleep with my Dad and Mom. There are some folks there who are 10 in dog years ... we get along and the lady feeds me good food. The man sleeps a lot and lets me sleep near him.

I am loved there, too.

Well, I'll post some photos from my birthday party ... when we get them.

Oh ... God? Thanks for answering my prayers.

Woof Out,

H.B.

One Year Anniversary (7 in Dog Years)

WOW! So much has happened in one year, I can hardly believe it!

If you read my diary entries, you know that my Mom and Dad picked me up a year ago, and brought me to a nice house that had a cat (and you know the cat stayed FAR away from me, even though all I wanted to do was sniff her).

Well, in the past two weeks, she FINALLY started coming downstairs and hanging out with my Mom, Dad and me. It is nice to have a complete family.

I had two cancer surgeries, and they both went very well. They got out the cancerous tumors, and I recovered very well. My Dad says it's because I don’t know I am supposed to feel sick when I have cancer ... and he's right. All I know is that after surgery, I get a lot more treats, and things like dog food with chicken stock on it, or steak juice, or some other broth. Once, my Dad even mixed in REAL steak!

They spoil me.

Mom says we're having a "One year anniversary party" this week! I can't wait!

But you know none of this would have been possible if it hadn't been for my Foster Mom "Jean." She took care of me for a long while, when no one wanted me (actually, my Mom and Dad wanted me, but they hadn't found me yet ... I TOLD you they weren't that bright).

Jean ... neither of us will leave this earth anytime soon, but know this: when we go ... we're BOTH going to Dog heaven! I'll save a place for you.

Woof Out, Ya'all ...

H.B.

Cancer Surgery #2

THEY DID IT AGAIN!

Mom took me to the Vet. I was kinda excited, because I never know what to expect there. Sometimes I get treats, sometimes I get medicine to make me feel better ... but I always get fawned over by the staff.

But Mom took me in and I got my second cancer surgery! I DO NOT LIKE SURGERY AT ALL!

But When Dad came to pick me up, he was rather happy. The night before, he and Mom spent 15 minutes finding all of the new lumps on my body, and circling them with a magic marker (not sure what is magic about it ... you draw, it leaves a mark ... it's not like it Harry Potter or anything). Well, he circled 9 places they were worried about, but it ends up only one was cancer.

Dad was happy, and when he told Mom, she smiled her pretty smile (I like making her smile).

Oh ... and I am now a regular ON the bed! Yup ... when Dad sleeps in the second bedroom (because he gets up at 3:30 AM for work), I get to sleep with him. And when he goes away for weekends, MOM often sleeps in there with me! I have to tell you all, I LOVE THIS FAMILY!

The Cat! Well, Penelope and I now can stand within a few inches of each other, without any argument. As a matter of fact, she walked underneath me the other day, and rubbed against my belly. She is soft! Maybe we can keep being nice to each other.

It has been three weeks since my surgery, and my stitches are all out. We all pray I won't get any more tumors ... but there is a really good chance I will. And I already decided (Mom and Dad agree) that I won’t get any more surgery. It is bad for my quality of life, and there is too much pain involved. And I am old.

I thank God for letting me live this long, and for finally getting a family that loves me more than themselves. They show me love every day, and even though they have a small home ... it's perfect for the four of us.

Oh ... don' tell Mom, but I bought her a present. She and Dad have been married TWO years (14 Dog years) tonight. So I bought her a gift. I hope she likes it.

Woof out y'all ... smell ya later,

H.B.

Post Surgery, Part II

I have not been feeling well, but I try to hide it. My stomach has been giving me lots of trouble, so I had to switch food, take some more pills, and then Dad started putting some powdery medicine on my food. It didn't taste very good.

Some days I would go outside and eat grass, because I was so hungry. But then I would just throw everything back up. I felt so bad because a couple of times, when Mom and Dad were at work, my stomach started hurting so bad, that I threw up on the living room rug, and defecated upstairs in the hallway. I don’t do it on purpose, but I don’t have a way to get outside during the day. Maybe if Mom or Dad gave me a house key, I could get out. But they are right; then I would want the car keys, and who knows WHERE I would end up (I can't navigate very well).

I am still not right, after a week. Dad is really worried about me. I know this, because he now lets me sleep in the bed with him. I may just PRETEND to be sick, just so I can keep sleeping on their bed ... shhh ... don't tell.

I guess it's a good thing I am getting into bed every night. Now I can properly pray for God to keep me here longer, so I can be with my family. I love them so much, and I haven't shown them enough. I fear that all of my tail wagging, licking, playing, smiling and protection is being diminished because of my tumors, the financial burden I am causing, and the messes I sometimes make inside. Mom and Dad say they will do whatever needs to be done for me, because they love me and I had such a hard life before I met them. But THEY didn't hurt me ... ever.

God, please make it right for them. Please make me better, so they don't have to worry, and we can love each other up. They are the greatest gift you ever gave me ... maybe the only one. PLEASE may I enjoy them for a few more years?

Woof out, God.

H.B.

FAMILY

You know what? I am one lucky dog. I have a family who loves me so much; I can't HELP but love them back.

I was recovering from surgery, and post-op treatments for a week, while my Mom and Dad went away. When they came back, they just went Ga-ga ("Woof-Woof" in Dog-speak) over me. My Mom hugged me forever. My Dad gave me a FULL BODY hug (and he has a big body). It felt so good.

I went home and stayed with them all night. When my Dad was getting ready for bed, I jumped up on the bed, atop the covers. He crawled in next to me and we slept together like best buds (I have never been on the bed before, but I just didn't want to leave his side).

My Mom and Dad spent all day Saturday with me. Mom is sick, so she and I watched a few movies on the couch. I kind of took care of her all weekend. How can you help but want to take care of the ones you love?

Sunday Dad went skydiving, so Mom and I enjoyed the sunshine together. She's still feeling bad, so I took care of her again. I don’t mind. After all, she cared for me when I was sick. I like the reversal.

Dad came home late last night. He was happy to see me, and we went for a late night walk. Mom was asleep, so I hung out with Dad, while he did some more work.

Dad sat me down and explained to me that I have another cancerous tumor on my belly, and that I might have to get operated on again. I don't want to, because it hurts, and they put the blue collar on me that keeps me from licking or itching myself. But my Mom and Dad want to make sure I have as healthy, long, and loving life as I can. They don’t want to lose me to cancer (or anything else).

God, I know I am getting old, but I just found this family. Please don't take me away anytime soon. I have a lot more love to give them, but I need more time.

Please?

Woof Out, God.

-H.B.