Year 2

Hiro’s School of Hard Barks and Tail-Wagging Triumphs

Woof, my fellow furballs, treat-chasers, and hooman sidekicks! It’s your boy Hiro, the Black German Shepherd-Labrador mix, back to regale you with another chapter of my paw-some saga! By now, you know I went from a scrappy street pup to a proud king of my own cozy kingdom, complete with a sassy big sister Bella and two hoomans who love me to bits (the Hairy One and the Non-Hairy One, my VIPs). Year 2? Oh, it was a wild ride, full of school bells, park shenanigans, and some serious lessons about tiny dogs with big attitudes. So, grab your favorite squeaky toy, maybe a crunchy biscuit (or a smoothie, if you’re a hooman), and settle in for the tale of how I became a scholar, a defender, and a master of the backyard fetch game. Trust me, it’s gonna be a tail-wagger!

Doggy School Days: From Chaos King to Canine Scholar

Picture this, fur-friends: my hoomans decided I needed to be a “very good boy,” so they enrolled me in doggy school. Woof, talk about a plot twist! I thought my days of learning were over once I mastered “don’t pee in the hallway” and “the black bag is not a toy.” But nope, the Hairy One and the Non-Hairy One were like, “Hiro, it’s time to level up!” So, off I went to this place full of other dogs, hoomans with clickers, and enough treats to make my tail spin like a helicopter. At first, I was like, “School? I’m already king of the castle!” But let me tell you, I spent what felt like half my doggy life learning to sit, stay, and—get this—not chase every squirrel that dared to cross my path. Spoiler alert: squirrels are still my kryptonite. Hiro at doggy school was like watching a furry tornado try to sit still. The trainers said he was ‘enthusiastic but distractible,’ which is code for ‘chases his tail mid-lesson.’ But when he nailed a command, you could see the pride in his eyes—he was born to shine!

The Hairy One would take me to class, and I’d prance in, ready to show off my royal charm. I learned to “heel” (which is just walking politely, boring!), “down” (like a dramatic flop), and even “leave it” (hardest thing ever when there’s a treat involved). One day, I surprised everyone—myself included—when I perfectly executed a “stay” while a tennis ball rolled right by my nose. The trainer’s jaw dropped, the Hairy One cheered like I’d won the Doggy Olympics, and I got a jackpot of treats. I swear I saw Bella roll her eyes from across the yard, like, “Show-off.” By the end of Year 2, I wasn’t just a king—I was a scholar king, ready to graduate with a wagging tail and a diploma in Being a Very Good Boy.

Park Perils: The Case of the Tiny Terrors

Now, let’s talk about the park, where I learned some real life lessons. The Hairy One loved taking me to this big, grassy place full of other dogs, where I’d zoom around, make new pals, and play fetch until my tongue was practically dragging on the ground. I had my crew—big, goofy dogs like me who loved to wrestle and chase. We were the gentle giants, maybe a little dopey, always ready for a belly rub. But then, there were the other dogs. You know the ones: small, yappy, and full of what the Hairy One called “Napoleon complex.” These tiny terrors were like furry firecrackers, barking like they owned the park and chasing me like I was a giant squeaky toy.

Hiro’s park adventures were epic, but that one time a Chihuahua chased him across the field? We couldn’t stop laughing. He looked so confused, like, ‘Why is this tiny dog so mad?’ Poor guy learned the hard way that size doesn’t equal sass!

One day, I was minding my own business, chasing a ball, when this pint-sized pup—let’s call him Sir Yaps-a-Lot—came at me like a furry missile. He was barking, snapping, and then—chomp!—he bit my face! I yelped, ran back to the Hairy One, and hid behind his legs, thinking, “What did I do to deserve this?!” I could’ve squashed that little guy with one paw, but I’m a gentle king, you know? The Hairy One was all worried, checking my face for scratches, but I was like, “Buddy, I’m fine, but that guy’s got issues!” After that, I decided I wasn’t gonna let those tiny terrors push me around. The next time a small dog came at me, I stood my ground, puffed out my chest, and gave a deep “woof” that said, “Back off, short stuff.” The Hairy One got all nervous, muttering about “don’t hurt them, Hiro,” but I wasn’t gonna hurt anybody—I just wanted respect in my park kingdom!

It took me half of Year 2 to figure out that not all small dogs are mean. Some are cool, like this one Pug who shared his stick with me (total bro move). But those Napoleon dogs? Woof, they kept me on my toes. I learned to read the signs: if their ears were back and their barks were extra sassy, I’d give ‘em a wide berth. Live and learn, right?

Busy Hoomans and Bella’s Wisdom

Year 2 was also when my hoomans got super busy. The Non-Hairy One was always buried in her vet school books, and the Hairy One was running around talking about something called a “wedding.” I didn’t get it—Bella just rolled her eyes and said, “Hoomans, always making a fuss. As long as the kibble keeps comin’, we’re golden.” I spent a lot of time at home with my big sister or hanging out with the Hairy One’s parents, who had a backyard full of squirrels to stare at (no chasing allowed, sadly). Their house smelled like cookies and love, but I missed my hoomans. Sometimes, I’d sit by the door, waiting for them to come home, my tail thumping like a metronome. With vet school and wedding planning, we were stretched thin, but Hiro and Bella kept us grounded. Hiro’s sad puppy eyes when we left were brutal, but the way he’d light up when we got home? Pure magic. Even with their busy schedules, the Hairy One made time for me. He’d take me to the backyard for epic fetch sessions, where I’d leap like a furry superhero to catch the ball. Sometimes, he’d get so into it that he’d forget about his “to-do list,” and we’d play until the sun went down. Bella would watch from the porch, occasionally barking like, “Hiro, don’t hog the human!” Those moments were the best—me, my hooman, and a slobbery tennis ball, ruling the backyard like the king I was born to be.

Bella, the Queen, and Her Royal Lessons

Speaking of Bella, my big sister was still the queen of sass and my personal life coach. She’d lounge on the couch, giving me that look that said, “You’re still learning, kid.” One time, I got a little too excited and tried to steal her favorite bone. Big mistake. She pinned me with a stare so fierce I dropped it and backed away, tail tucked. But Bella wasn’t just about keeping me in line—she was my protector, too. When I got spooked by a loud thunderstorm, she’d let me snuggle up next to her, even though I know she secretly thought I was being a drama king. “Toughen up, Hiro,” she’d huff, but then she’d lick my ear like, “You’re okay, little bro.” Bella and Hiro’s sibling dynamic was gold. She’d put him in his place one minute, then curl up next to him the next. They were like an old married couple—bickering, but inseparable. Bella also had this knack for getting me into trouble. One day, she nudged me toward the kitchen trash can, and I, being the trusting pup I am, thought, “Snack time!” Next thing I know, I’m nose-deep in coffee grounds, and the Non-Hairy One walks in. Bella? Nowhere to be found, looking all innocent on the couch. I got a stern “Hiro, no!” while she smirked like the mastermind she was. But I couldn’t stay mad—she’d make it up to me by sharing her spot on the rug during nap time.

A Year of Growth, Grit, and Goofy Glory

Year 2 was a whirlwind, fur-friends. I went from a nervous pup to a doggy school grad, learned to stand up to tiny terrors, and figured out that my hoomans were my forever pack, no matter how busy they got. Bella kept me grounded, the Hairy One kept my tail wagging, and the Non-Hairy One reminded me that even kings have to follow rules (no chewing vet books, got it). My kingdom was stronger than ever, and I was ready for whatever adventures Year 3 would bring. Spoiler alert: there’s more squirrels, more shenanigans, and maybe even a new friend or two. Stay tuned, because Hiro’s story is just getting started!