Today is a very important day in our household. It’s the 20th of April. 4/20. Also known as Boomhauer’s birthday. What, you thought I meant something else?
Anyhoo, it was four years ago that this little white fluff ball graced the world with his presence. Originally named Bolt, Boomhauer joined our clan a couple of months after he was born and has been bringing the joy ever since.
Today being his birthday, I though it only fitting that I paid homage to the apple of my girl’s eye. The day we picked him up there were nearly a dozen pups to chose from. As they crawled around the front lawn, my girl hobbled over to the grass and sat down. (She had knee surgery a mere two days before that day and was still on a fair amount of pain meds.) While all the puppies were friendly, this one called Bolt kept coming back to her. And that’s all it took. She was in love and we had a new member of the family.
I have been asked many times about his name, Boomhauer. Admittedly, it’s an odd name for anyone, let alone a dog. He is named after a character on the classic animated show set in Arlen, TX, King of the Hill. Boomhauer is one of Hank’s beer drinking, alley lurking buddies. There were discussion of other names, even others related to the show, but Boomhauer is the one that stuck. It turned out to be the perfect choice.
The character of Boomhauer on the show is blond and has a knack for rambling on incoherently. Our Boomie is bleached blond in color and likes to talk in nonsensical noises. He’s even quite sassy at times – much like his namesake. In addition to sharing characteristics with the animated Boomhauer, he is definitely an original. He is incredibly stubborn & strong willed. He is fairly particular about who he likes, but if he loves you, he loves you fiercely. He likes to be loud at times, especially when we all howl together, but he is happy to just lay on the couch and chill if that’s what we’re all doing. In other words, he was a perfect fit for the Brown Pack.
Boomhauer has even turned out to be a pretty good big brother to our newest addition, Stella. He puts up with her constant pestering to play, is teaching her to bark at unknown people that come to our door and isn’t afraid to put her in her place when she needs it. And he’s taught her to howl. What more could we ask of him?
So here’s to you Boomhauer. We raise a glass (or if you’re Snoop Dogg on this auspicious day raise a bowl full of the Devil’s Lettuce) to you. Happy Birthday Buddy!!!!
Shannon R. Brown 