A few weeks ago DogTime.com first told you about Hank, the Bichon Frise mix who stole the hearts of the entire Milwaukee Brewers team, staff, and fans when he wandered onto their Arizona spring training field during practice as a fluffy little stray.
With his sweet face and adorable antics, Hank became an instant celebrity. Sunday night, Hank arrived at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport to a welcome party full of adoring fans, including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who brought homemade peanut butter dog cookies for Brew City’s newest four-legged and fluffy son.
“There’s no question that Hank is a real pup-culture icon,” Mayor Barrett quipped. “He’s far more popular than any politician in the state of Wisconsin.”
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele was also present at Sunday’s “Welcome Home Hank!” festivities. Abele tells the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel his three daughters were more excited to learn their father would be meeting Hank than they would be to hear he was headed for a visit at the White House.
Brewers vice president and general counsel Marti Wronski and her family — including husband Andy and sons Luke, Sam, Charlie, and Jonah — have decided to give Hank a happy home. The Wronskis officially adopted Hank and are thrilled to get to introduce the little guy to their other dog, mini-Labradoodle Bella.
Though Hank will spend the near future getting used to life as a family dog, he is set to have a long and happy career with the Brewers, Marti Wronski assures fans.
“The team adopted Hank first and foremost,” she explains. “We collectively decided to give Hank a home.”
According to ESPN.com, Hank is set to make his official Miller Park debut Tuesday, when the team unveils its official Hank fan gear. A portion of all proceeds earned from the sale of Hank T-Shirts, buttons, pennants and more will be donated to the Wisconsin Humane Society.
“We are excited to welcome Hank as an official Milwaukee Brewer,” Wisconsin Humane Society President and CEO Anne Reed tells FOX Sports. “We are so grateful for the amazing care he has received, and for the way the players and the Brewers organization have used Hank’s story to highlight the needs of homeless animals like him. More than 10,000 animals were adopted from the Wisconsin Humane Society in 2013 and it is that incredible support which makes Southeastern Wisconsin such a kind and compassionate place for animals like Hank. We know he’ll love Milwaukee!”
During Hank’s first appearance, the Brewers will be collecting new pet items and supplies to donate to local animal shelters, the team announced on their Facebook page Monday evening.
If you’d like to continue to follow Hank’s Cinderella story, check out the Milwaukee Brewers’ Twitter feed for future updates on the MLB’s newest canine sensation.
Sources: Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel, ESPN.com, FOX Sports, TODAY.com, Milwaukee Brewers Facebook Page
