This is a ridiculously long post about Tank, and I don't expect anyone to read it. I had to write it for myself so if I ever print my blog into a book, I will have it.
Tank was born August 15, 2002 which I always thought was kind of funny, because Greg and I were married just 5 days before. In October, we were at the local Yuma pet store. We walked in and immediately saw Tank and his big old head. The price on his cage was very low, and we knew it wasn't right. Some girl working there had wrote the wrong price, and the owner wasn't too happy, but they had to honor it. We weren't even looking for a new dog at the time, but both Greg and I fell in love with him and had to get him. Tank was 10 weeks old when we got him and he was a great dog from the very beginning. We only had him for 2 months before Greg was shipped to Iraq. He and Cass were my companions for the 9 months Greg was gone and he was raised just like Cassidy...like a child. This one time, my 3 best friends came down to visit us and LeAnne ended up naming him 'flower' which I always thought was so funny. Tank didn't get any socialization with people while Greg was gone except with some of the girls I worked with. That made him skiddish around people and especially guys. But when Greg got home, Tank remembered him. I should also say that Tank earned his name. He could go through anything. He chewed through a metal fence, a cement kennel, yes concrete!, doors, a wall in our garage, and lots of wood. This one tine out in the desert, we were playing with Tank and he came running straight at me. I thought if maybe I turned around and had my back facing him, he wouldn't run into me...I was wrong! Because before I knew it, I was staring up at the sky, flat on my back. Greg was cracking up and I actually thought it was pretty funny too. We would go for long walks out in the desert behind our house and he would go in front of us 30ft, then turn around to come back and check on us. We would always tell him, 'go play Tank, go be a dog' but he just wanted to be right next to us. I remember one day out in the desert, Greg taught Tank to jump into his arms, then onto his back, which was really funny to watch! We had lots of great walks with Tank.
Tank also loved to swim! He was great swimmer, which was kind of funny because he was a great big ball of muscle. Every weekend during the summer in Yuma, Greg and I would take him to swim in the Colorado river. It had a pretty good current and he loved it! He really loved anything to do with water.
He loved playing in the hose in the backyard and he had to be there to watch the boys get their baths. We called him our life guard. One of Tanks other favorite things to do was play on the spring pole. He was so excited anytime he saw us getting the rope ready. He also loved to dress up...Ok, I have to explain this. We were so excited when they finally built a Petsmart in Yuma, and we always took Tank with us. We would always put the dog cloths on Tank and he loved it! He would prance around because he knew he was hot stuff and looked good. One time in February, they had all their Valentine clothes out and we put this shirt on Tank that said 'Heart Breaker' and this lady walking by said "Why, Yes you are". It was really funny. We ended up getting him this aviator style jacket, and he always walked a little taller when he had it on. Tank was also great with the boys! Cody and Trevor could pull on his ears, his tail, jump on him, ride him, and he seemed to love it. Anytime Greg and I went up North, Tank was always the dog we took with us because he was so good. Tank was the most obedient dog we have ever had. I loved having him around because I always knew I was safe with him. Most people that saw him, were instantly scared of him. Even people that have worked with dogs for years were a little uneasy about him, but we knew the truth. He was an 58lb cuddle bug, lap dog, and lover who would rather get loves than a dog treat. He only wanted to please us and that was what made him happy. He was always by my side and I will be forever grateful to him for the joy that he brought to my life.
Cody would not stand still long enough for me to get a good picture of him.
Daddy taking a bite out of the pumpkin
Cody and Trevor checking out all the candy they (Cody) got
Trevor double fisting the suckers...one in each hand.
