Hardy Update

So this post is really for my aunt Paula who has all but given up on me updating my blog. Look-- a new post! Hooray! Plus, we have important things to discuss, namely how our new dog Hardy has been adjusting.

On Valentine's Day we got him a nice treat from the local
dog bakery. We didn't get ourselves anything, but we did have
to get him something :)

Watching people from the study

Yes, he loves cuddling.

Static fur FTW

In short, he has adjusted. He has more than adjusted. He has made himself quite comfortable in our home and firmly established himself as the center of our lives (he would like to think so, at least). Hardy really is quite happy and I am so glad that he doesn't seem to hold on to any of the issues he had from his first few years of life. 

He loves going under blankets.

It wasn't even particularly cold that day- he just burrows

While his isolation anxiety is gone, there are occasions where he decides to use kleenex or magazines as chew toys, completely ignoring all of the toys on the floor. We have just started keeping those items away from his reach and that has solved that issue. 

He only looks innocent...

Hardy absolutely adores walks. And when we get home. Those are the highlights of his day and it is adorable watching him jump and run around the house in circles. He hardly barks (we are so lucky!) but when he does, you know it is because he thinks you are ignoring him. 

He apparently thinks stats are boring.

I could go on and on but I can't make it too obvious that I am a crazy dog-mom, or is it too late for that? :)

Yes, we got him a sweater. My defense is it gets really cold
here in north Texas. You can tell he appreciates
having it on during our walks! 

Oh Hardy!

I know. The time of the year when I theoretically have the most 'free' time I completely slack off in blogging. Life has been pretty busy this summer but it has also been a time of a lot of growth and amazing opportunities. One of the biggest changes is that we became parents! Meet Hardy, our 3-year-old Maltese-Terrier mix (though I've also been told long-haired chihuahua):

I know, he is pretty adorable.

Though he only weighs 8 lbs, he has been quite the handful. We quickly discovered he had pretty severe isolation anxiety. He was able to escape from a variety of baby gates and was generally frantic and unhappy when he was alone. He was rescued from a hoarding situation so we don't think he had ever been alone before. We hired a trainer and started working with him. He has gotten so much better! We can go about 5, 5 and a half hours where he is sleeping/laying down while we're gone. While it isn't up to the 8 hours it will need to be once the school year starts, we are so encouraged to have this improvement! 

He likes to keep me company in his chair while I work. He is
wearing his thundershirt here- helps with the isolation anxiety!

He has definitely made himself at home and has quite the personality! While at first he was very wary around Matt, he has warmed up to him considerably and will keep him company if Matt's the only one home. However, once I'm home or if my lap is available, you better believe he is my dog. We have found that he loves the garden store (seriously, he was prancing around it the other day he was so happy), peanut butter (but what dog doesn't?), and makes dinosaur noises. He doesn't bark (really, unless we're gone) but he makes little screeches like a dinosaur when he is super excited and wants our attention (typically after we get home).

This was the first time Hardy got in Matt's lap voluntarily. HUGE deal!

Yeah, he kind of likes me...

While he has caused us to adjust our lifestyle and schedule, he is definitely worth it. I mean, how can you not love that face??

Yes, everyone should have more Hardy pictures.

Doesn't he look comfortable?