Grandpa Royce & Uncle Dan bring home more Wolfhounds!

In between all these Main Bodies arriving, I took some time to make myself comfortable and relax. Conveniently, the wind had blown the cushions over on the lanai loveseat. Perfectly sized and double squishy place for this borzoi.

Ah, some "me time" on the lanai.
No person invited me up, but I'd swear I heard the cushions say, "Up here. Up here."

Putting on my best innocent face.

Saturday, March 31, 2012, was another joyous day of Wolfhound reunions! Major bonus for me was that Grandpa Royce and Uncle Dan came home. I finally got to meet them. 

The Freedom Riders make a loop of honking horns and revving those Harleys
as a welcome home for our boys. Gave many humans chicken skin (goosebumps) and tears.
Made me jump out of my skin like a chicken!

Today, the Freedom Riders spend their Saturday day off to welcome home those soldiers that served after them. Other times, they line the roads at funerals, memorials, and burials.

I ran inside to avoid the ruckus and found Grandpa Royce
(a.k.a. CSM Manis) with CSM Higgs. Score! 

Two Wolfhound Command Sergeant Majors and one King. 

CSM Higgs takes time out of welcoming home Wolfhounds to pet his fuzzy wolfhound. 

These soldiers know the drill: see dog, pet dog. 

Dad and I wait.
Being in the Army, we're good at it. 

Kisses on my schnoz from the Chaplain.... oooooo.... it's my lucky day! 

Our colors return.

CPT Blair. I think he's saying, "Hey, 1SG, where's my hug?"

Grandpa Royce looks happy - he just returned from Afghanistan.
I think CSM Higgs would have preferred sleeping in to hanging out in a hangar.
It's all in the perspective. 

 

The newest Wolfhound.
He transferred into the unit and was immediately sent to Afghanistan.
Didn't know he was a Wolfhound. Didn't know I was a Wolfhound.

"Really? He's a Borzoi? Oh, that's also a Wolfhound?"

"Interesting."
sheeesh... But Dad didn't let him live it down.

Do I detect cookie crumbs? 

It appears that I'm missing my tail altogether.
No one notices though. They either think it's tucked away or don't know any better.
If they find out I have half of a tail, they think it's cool that I'm a Wounded Warrior.
They know too many other Wolfhounds that are wounded so I fit right in.

Dad giving a lesson on what and who the mascot is.
I arrived while they were gone and not everyone
paid attention during Wolfhound Indoctrination Class.
We all learned today... especially one poor Private.

When Dad digs into his cargo pocket, I know it's treat time!

YES! Treat!

YES! Pats! 

You have more treats, don't you? 

Wolfhound briefing.
Heard this before.
Several times. 

Our beautiful and talented Antevasin Photography owner and photographer, Sara.
Picture of the picture taker.

Meeting CPT Blair up close and personal this time.
He appears more awake now.  

Tim admires me, I admire the treat I see Dad holding.

Instant buddies.
We're doing our best profile shot.
I think my nose is bigger.

This is the look of a very loved puppy.

You know how dogs know who is and is not a "dog person"?
I knew instantly that Uncle Dan is a dog person. I leaned on him - my seal of approval.

Eskimo kisses. 

I'm getting possessive. MY Uncle Dan. Go away and get your own.

I said get your own. Didn't you hear me?

We're happy in this Mutual Admiration Society. Membership: 2.

Still waiting.
I've been here for hours... days.... weeks....
I may be exaggerating. It just feels that way.

Entering the family area again.
I like it here too.

I get treats. Wolfpups and treats. What a combo!

Getting better at working the crowd.

I like to read the signs as I go by.

CPT Brabner's daughter gives me a treat while Dad watches to make sure I don't lick her to death. She and I go waaaaay back. She was my brother's, Kolchak XV, fan too. 

Dad wasn't paying attention and I knocked him over on accident.
It made a lot of folks laugh to see him on his bum.
We'll see who is walking who. 

Uncle Dan and Grandpa Royce
(a.k.a. LTC Wilson and CSM Manis) 

Waving her small flag by the huge flag while we listen to our nation anthem. 

MG (Major General) Champoux getting ready to speak.

He made it short and sweet. I think ten words or less.

The Wilson 'ohana
Kristin, Evan, and Debbie waiting for their dad/husband to be released from formation.
Debbie is half of the Battalion FRG leadership. The glue. 

Amanda "The Amazing FRG Leader" Blair
getting just a little bit excited to see her hubby. 

Amanda holding back happy tears.

Karrie Manis, Grandpa Royce's better half and the rest of the glue of the Battalion's FRG,
waiting with lei in hand for her husband.

Still waiting.
I don't know how they are still.
I have ants in my borzoi pants!

YAY! Back together. 

After everyone else had found their soldier, Amanda and a crew of ladies
were still looking and yelling for Tim. Tim, being the logical Army man,
had headed to the bleachers to "get to high ground for a better vantage point."
Whatever.
More YAY!!

I get pats while families and soldiers wait... of course.
This time we're waiting for "luggage". That is civilian for rucksacks and A bags.

I'm a great provider of distraction for those who are tired from waiting and waiting and...

I've gathered quite a crowd.
It's a perk of being big and looking rather unique.

The Chaplian brings her daughter over to meet me.
Chaplain and Mom are allergic to cats and both have daughters that want cats.
Mom explained my many cat like qualities (grooming, lap dog, trains the human).
There is hope that my breed can be the cat for these girls.
My family already refers to me as Madeline's cat. 

She liked me, but wasn't sold on the cat substitute thing. 

Shaking paws while petting me.
I can do this.

Once again, this job is awesome!

This Wolfhound with the Wilsons.
They are an 'ohana that has given much to the Wolfhound 'ohana. 

I'm always a sucker for a pretty lady.

Can I be your kid too, Uncle Dan?

You know that story about the Lab?
I'm sure you were wrong. It's BORZOI.
We're smarter (no offense to Isabella) and I won't eat too many of your wiener dogs.

I'm the most blessed Borzoi to get to be a part of welcoming home soldiers and witnessing families being reunited. On top of that I get treats and lots of loving. Seriously? What could be better than all this? 


That's it for that Main Body! They're nearly all back according to my blog. In reality, they've been home for over nearly two months.