Glen Arbor through the eyes of Hambone

By Hambone Tris
Sun contributor

First off, as I’m nearing my third summer in Glen Arbor, thanks to the Sun for requesting this article. Of course, my grand-masters John and Mary Tris, are interpreting this for me. Hopefully, they are not taking too much liberty with my thoughts.

A little background: I am a 95-pound, 7-year-old, American Bulldog. My master and best buddy, Dave Tris, rescued me from the Animal Care and Control shelter on Chicago’s South Side. I was less than a year old at the time. Dave picked me because I was the friendliest dog in the shelter. Hambone was the name given to me at the shelter. People always chuckle and pet me more when they hear my name.

I get to spend my summers in Glen Arbor because Dave’s parents (my grand-masters) spend their summers here. I prefer it here over the northwest suburbs of Chicago because of the many people I get to meet in my daily walks around town. I also love the abundant variety of fragrances left by the multitude of dogs that pass through the area. It creates a smorgasbord of sniffs that only a dog can appreciate — and I truly do. Dogs reading this at home know exactly what I’m talking about.

I may look a bit intimidating, but my bark is much greater than my bite. Most people comment about how handsome I look, but a few say I have a face that only a mother could love. I understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but these folks need to take an art appreciation class.

There are a lot of great dogs around Glen Arbor. Sophie and Jackie live on each side of me. Sophie is just 2 years old — very sweet but a bit too rambunctious for a seasoned veteran like me. Jackie and I had some harsh words last year when I got too friendly with her master and now we pretty much ignore each other. Quincy, a frisky 11-year old male, lives on the other side of Sophie. We rough-house on occasion, and I even do my reverse twirl to impress him. I don’t get physical with other dogs unless they are aggressive towards me. However, I am afraid of most little dogs and try to keep away from them — you would be surprised at how tough those little guys can be with a big softy like me.

My favorite thing about Glen Arbor is going on walks around town and meeting people. I have taken on the job of town greeter. I especially like the ladies and really turn on the charm for them. I also like to kiss babies (they taste good). I sincerely believe that people were put on this earth to love me. When people don’t pay attention to me, I just wag my tail harder and give them my best smile. If they still don’t respond, I am sad and crestfallen.

Some of my favorite dog-friendly places and people in Glen Arbor include: The Post Office, where dog-lovers Drew and Cindy, the best postal professionals around, give me dog biscuits.

Riverfront Pizza, where “Bad Sue” (really very good Sue to me) and the staff treat me like royalty. I just peer into the kitchen screen door and someone comes to hug me and give me treats. Boy, I love those folks!

Bay Lavender Bay Trading Company, where Cookie Thatcher’s dog Brody hangs out. A doggy water bowl and dog biscuits are always available, and I can bathe outside the shop where lavender soap, water and towels are available free of charge (my grand-masters made me include the bathing part, which isn’t one of my favorite pastimes; however if smelling like lavender gets me extra petting from strangers, I’m all for it).

The Center Gallery at Lake Street Studios, where Sarah Bearup-Neal works. All the people at the Studios are very nice to me, but Sarah is special. She says I’m her boy friend (I hope her husband doesn’t hear about this). I hate to disappoint Sarah, but I have to come clean. I’m a chick-magnet and have lots of girl friends. Please forgive me Sarah.

Cherry Republic, where water bowls abound and Nash and his staff give me hugs and those delicious Woof Whompers Cherry Dog Cookies. I haven’t tried the wine tasting, but I visit the Dog Bar every day for free water. I try to give a friendly greeting to all customers; many of them tell me how they miss their dogs back home, so I let them pet me as much as they want.

The Pine Cone, where I wag my tail extra hard in hopes of getting some ice cream. Ann, the owner, once gave me a bowl of soft-serve and I was in heaven!

Some things about Glen Arbor that could be improved:

The Fourth of July Parade was just super, but why doesn’t anyone toss dog biscuits? There are a lot of canines watching the parade too!

My grand-masters liked the Fourth of July fireworks around Sleeping Bear Bay, but I had to stay home with a blanket over my head. Then some folks kept shooting off firecrackers for several weeks, causing me to be paralyzed with fear. On behalf of all dogs, can’t we keep the noise to one or two nights?

Wow! There sure are a lot of bicyclists in Glen Arbor this summer. My grand-masters and I have to move off the sidewalk on a daily basis to let them pass. The traffic on Western Avenue/M-22 makes it pretty dangerous for the cyclists, so I don’t blame them for riding on the sidewalks. I’m hoping that some actions will be taken by next summer to create a safer environment for bikers, pedestrians, and “man’s best friend.”

I’ll be returning home to Chicago soon, so if I don’t see you before then — Adios amigos! See you next Spring!