Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon

Adopted March 20th, 2010

Hansel (#1877), aka Hansi, Hans, Hansi-Boy, is now the darling, spoiled, 'only boy' in our otherwise girly-household. His spunk grows daily, his playful spirit has really emerged during his approximately 6 weeks here, yet he's still such a little gentleman when he should be. I really wanted a companion for Mandy, but I wasn't sure how she herself would feel about that. Since I got her from Golden Bond in October, she and I have grown very close...I wasn't positive about what a sibling would do to her 'happiness quotient'. Hansi is the perfect new brother-son for Mandy! He is just fun enough to be entertaining to her, just 'relating' enough to be a bit of a buddy but not in her face, just independent and resourceful enough to play by himself sometimes, and just mellow enough to sleep quietly for hours when Mandy wants to.

I've adored watching Hans go from cautious explorer in our home to choosing favorite sleeping spots to taking over particular corners and making them his own! Now he's pretty cocky about the whole 'manor'....upstairs when he wishes, out to the guest quarters when he wishes, dragging toys and occasionally blankets to new spots, and even giving a little 3-way bark now and then if he hears or sees a kitty out the window! He uses the dog door freely and loves lively sprints in the big north yard when I take them out there to run! When visitors come into the house, he is a gem. He eagerly eats his meals and treats, but never covets Mandy's portion. He was a little wound up during his vet visit, but he did well. And darling to see---the past week or ten days, he's really become more of a snuggler with me. He comes up and jumps his front legs onto my lap, rubs his head against me, or leans into my legs for hugs and pets, even kisses. He's such a happy little fella; he lights up our home! He's the 'man of the house' too, sometimes patrolling and 'on alert' if he thinks he hears something.

Only one drawback to Hansi---he has taught Mandy that unstuffing the toys is lots of fun! Now she copies him! Between the two of them, the dozens of stuffed animals that have held up for years are now becoming limp toy-rags!!! I am continually picking up white fluff! But when the two dogs lie side by side, each contentedly unstuffing a bear or a hedgehog, I'm not about to interrupt them! They look adorable and are having so much fun together, and they never touch anything of mine---just their own basketsful of dog toys. They can do what they want with those.

(Here are a few photos...one photo shows Mandy and Hansel on the screened porch, watching for kitties together....one shows Hans in his favorite chair, and one shows him exploring the north yard.)

Thank you so much to Golden Bond for bestowing Hansel upon Mandy and me.