Hulk

Hulk loves his mom and dad

He didn’t like being separated from them. They were very far away - at the end of the driveway. He could smell them. He wanted to be with his mom and dad! This isn’t good, he thought.

Mustering his inner Incredible Hulk powers, he twisted and turned and wriggled and shimmied. His harness and lead fell to the ground.

VOILA! Houdini! Free!

Jasmine caught him out of the corner of her eye.

“Rich! He got out of it again!”

Mom and Dad ran up the drive way, holding Hulk so he wouldn’t run away.

“He’s amazing! How does he keep getting out of his harnesses?” Rich rubbed Hulk’s ear.

Hulk the Amazing Houdini

Hulk knows how he does it. He’s Hulk, after all. Mom put her arms around him, keeping him still. Dad tried again to secure his harness. Hulk relished the love being poured upon him, as Jasmine and Rich again pondered his magic. Hulk’s heart swelled with love.

Beautiful Hulk

Just like his television namesake, this big beautiful boy has special powers. He is, somehow, someway, able to get out of his harness(es). Also like Lou Ferringo, the actor who played The Incredible Hulk, this extraordinary canine is hearing impaired. Although Lou was only partially deaf (and has had a cochlear implant), Jasmine and Rich’s special boy Hulk is totally deaf. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Nope. I still can’t hear, Mom. But it doesn’t matter. I love you.”

Jasmine remembers, in 2019, the first time she ever saw “Charming,” as he was called at the Greenville, S.C. Humane Society. He was calm and quiet, as if he was waiting for Jasmine to save him. He was also big. No one was certain of his breed. Pit bull? Perhaps a Dogo Aregentino? It didn’t matter. Jasmine was totally in love. He then became Hulk. 

Yay! Car ride!

Speaking of  totally in love, it was 2022, when Jasmine and Hulk moved to Minnesota to join Dad/(soon to be) husband Rich. Mom and Dad had worked together in Colorado, and stayed in touched over the years, trying to make a long distance relationship work. After too many miles separated them, Jasmine and Rich married and joined Dad in Minnesota, where he had moved. This was a big CAN DO for Hulk. Everyone settled in to their forever home.

Turns out, the boy from So. Carolina loves the winters and the snow! Although the weather can be tough on the big guy, Mom and Dad have it covered.

Literally.

Keeping Hulk warm and protected

To keep his tender paws from freezing (no fur around his pads), Hulk dons suspender boots - think of a child whose mittens are tied to one another via a long string that runs through the jacket sleeves. Sadly, he also has allergies which cause him to lose his hair. Mom and Dad have that covered, too. Well, they have Hulk covered.

With his costume securely in place, Hulk is ready to sniff out his neighborhood! Bring on the two and a half mile walk! He’s now a true Minnesotan.

Except the 10,000 lakes part. Hulk is not a fan of the water. Once, when at a lake for fun, he fell off a paddle board, panicked, and tried to climb up the ladder of the pontoon boat. Everyone helped haul him aboard. No worries, big guy, no more water for you.

“Can we go home, now?”

“He's just the best boy with a ton of personality. He makes us laugh constantly and I would absolutely adopt a deaf dog over and over again.” Jasmine wraps her arms around his huge neck. Hulk falls into her lap.

Thankfully for everyone, Hulk thinks car rides are the best. Especially when he goes to Carver Lake Veterinary Center for a check up. Their secret superpower: Cheez Whiz on the cabinets. Hulk devours the treat while Mom and Dad talk to the vet and techs. They all love on him, too.

Let’s play!

Above all else, Hulk wants to be with his mom and dad. He counts on them to guide him when needed. He’s happiest inside the house, playing extreme tug with his Sasquatch toy named Yeti. Running and jumping around the house with Yeti is good, too. Thankfully, he is not spooked by thunder or fireworks.

A stunning Hulk with Yeti

Much like a 58 pound white shadow, Hulk is attached to Mom and Dad at every turn. Frankly, he’s a big lover. A huge heap of happy.

Mom crawls in to bed first. Hulk joyfully hops in after her. They lay together as Hulk rests his head on her shoulder. Jasmine gently scratches his ear. His eyes close. Rich quietly slips in on the other side of the bed. He reaches over and kisses Hulk’s big heart shaped snout.

Boop

Another perfect day…

Hulk licks his lips. “Yep, Dad alright,” he thinks. “ I guess it’s time for my favorite nap - the one when we’re all together.”

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