l i f e o n G A LV E S T O N B AY
BRINGING up Baby
itting elegantly at the end of a small road on the West End of Galveston Island, overlooking the bay and coastal wetlands, lies the home of Dr. Gary and Barbara Hankins. Or should I say, it is the home they are allowed to live in by Baby, the real owner. Baby is a Labrador Retriever mix who adopted the Hankins while their home was being built. And while the Hankins may have paid for and helped design the home, make no mistake . . . this is Baby’s house. Who has a bed in every room on every floor? Not Gary. Not Barbara. Baby. Just how complete is Baby’s control over the four story bay front home? Just ask the builder how long it took him to build the house. “Long enough for Baby to go from a stray to owning it!”,
S
is the deadpan reply from Steven F. Paparcuri, owner of Gulf Coast Custom Homes, Inc. As stray dogs go, you don’t get much luckier than Baby. First, she finds great owners in the Hankins. Gary is the chairman of the Ob/Gyn Department at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Barbara is a civil engineer. Both are friendly, kind and crazy about Baby. Then Baby gets to move into a house that features some of the finest quality craftsmanship on the Gulf Coast. And did I mention she had a bed in every room? Speaking of quality craftsmanship, you can’t take a step without noticing some of the unique, upscale details in this 4 bedroom, 5.5 bath custom home. The first floor patio has a tongue
Above, Baby, the real owner, protects her property from seagulls. Opposite, top right, The Hankin’s home is located on the (normally) tranquil waters of Galveston Bay. Bottom right, The third floor curved balcony provides relaxing views of the Bay. Sunsets are an event up here.
16 | SPRING 2010 GULFSCAPES.COM