Dear Mom, Oh, my goodness, I met the biggest dog in the world today! Lynn took me to the vet for my monthly Percorten shot, and when we got back into the car she asked me, "Pepper, do you want to go to the barn with me?" Well, I don't know what "the barn" is, but it sounded like fun, and as you know, I am always up for fun. So I smiled at her, wagged my tail, and off we went. When Lynn stopped the car, I bounced out onto the ground and stopped short - oh, my, the SMELLS! Some were a little familiar - I'd smelled them on Lynn before. Was this where they came from?
Picture of me standing in the grass and looking out at the pastures and barns. Lynn let me wander around for a while, and I heard her make crackling noises in her hands. That usually means she has something to eat, and once in a while she shares with ME, so I turned around and asked her if I could have some of whatever she was eating. Lynn was not in a sharing mood. She told me that peppermints were not for her or for dogs. (I don't know why. Couldn't she at least have let me try one?)
Suddenly I heard a loud, weird sound. I looked over and there was the BIGGEST dog I have ever seen in my life standing right by the fence! And it was making that loud noise! Lynn just laughed and called, "I'm coming, Abby!"
Me standing stock still and intently looking through the fence at the big dog. And then, I could NOT believe it, Lynn stepped over to the fence and began giving the big dog those peppermints! Now, that simply is not fair, Mom! I was very hurt, but Lynn told me that she would put some extra peanut butter in my Kong this afternoon, so I guess it was okay. (You can bet that I will remind her about that if she forgets.) I walked over to the fence and put my nose close to the big dog. We looked at each other, almost nose to nose through the fence.
Pepper and Abby, noses to the ground, checking each other out. The big dog put her head up and finished off all the peppermints. (It is NOT not very polite to 1) eat in front of me, and 2) not drop a crumb or two on the ground for me!) Lynn patted her and said, "See you tomorrow, Abby."
The big dog with her head up looking at Lynn while I keep my eyes on the ground just in case she really did share with me after all. It was quite a surprise to learn that Lynn has another dog, but at least I now know why she leaves the house for a little while almost every day and comes home smelling like... well, like big dog. But, when I thought about it, the big dog stays out at "the barn" while I get to live at home with Lynn, Craig, my toys, and the princess and the pea bed. I guess I shouldn't begrudge the big dog those peppermints after all, right? Kisses from a small dog who lives at "the home" and not "the barn," Pepper
Greetings, Mom! I am so excited. Easter is coming, and Lynn said that the Easter Bunny is going to bring me an Easter basket! Even better though, the Peeps for my basket are already here! Last night Lynn took me out to do my business and we could hear the Peeps calling to me from the woods! I tingled all over with excitement and asked Lynn if we could go and get those Peeps. I really wanted a purple one but you know me, I'd settle for pink or yellow or just about any color. Lynn started laughing (she does that a lot) and said, "Oh, Pepper! You big goof!" (She says that a lot, too.) Lynn explained that there is a difference between Peeps and spring peepers, and that what we were hearing were the spring peepers. I responded that I don't mind if my Peeps talk; I am sure that talking Peeps are just as good. (Maybe a little more expensive, but I'm worth it, right?) But then Lynn told me that the spring peepers were really frogs that were talking to each other in the woods. Frogs?? FROGS??? Eeew! Why are there frogs in the woods! They're supposed to be in ponds and creeks. And why are the frogs talking? Are they telling each other where the Peeps are hidden? Even worse, are they eating my Peeps?? Mom, I am so confused and could really use your help. Will you please talk to Lynn and tell her to let me go to the woods and get the Peeps before the frogs eat them all? I would really appreciate it! (You know how hungry I can get.) Wags and licks, Hungry for Peeps Pepper
Hallo, Mama! I hope you and Dad and the kitties and Ursula are faring well during this pandemic. We are doing fine, and I love all the extra time I get with Lynn and Craig because they aren't going anywhere - they stay home all day long which means more family time! They tell me that they are trying to stay healthy, and so naturally, since I am concerned about that myself, I have suggested that we go on more than our three walks a day. They smile at me and say, "Oh, Pepper! You are so goofy!" and then they grab the leash and away we go. Works every time. Just sayin'. And how I love to go down by the lake and listen to the fountain splashing, and then on the walking path. Our first stop on the walk is to visit Annie, a big chocolate Lab who likes to come up to the fence and bark at me. Lynn tells me to stay back as it may take some time for Annie to warm up. She's kind of old and maybe just a bit grouchy. After Annie's home, we head down the path and our next stop is at Luna and Zeus's home. Luna is a yellow Lab and Zeus is a black Lab. Luna is the boss and always has a tennis ball in her mouth. Sometimes those balls pop out and sail through the fence, so we throw them back to her. Luna and Zeus bark a little, but they also wag their tails madly at me and we have become good friends. Next up is Bella's home. She is a black Lab mix who reminds me a lot of Lisa's dog, Molly, because she is very timid. Her parents told us that she is a rescue and that we are welcome to pet her through the fence. Oh, how Bella loves that! She flops onto her back so Lynn can rub her belly. Bella and I also love to play by running back and forth by the fence. I think that, next to Nacho, Bella is my best friend. Speaking of Nacho, I go over to his grandparents' home once or twice a week for a few hours so I can play with him. Kathy gives him a few hours off every day to "just be a dog," as she calls it. Mary Anne and Bill love to have us both because we play, play, play. (Nacho sneaks in some kisses when they are not looking, too. Be still my beating heart!) During one of our walks at the park, I found the best ball ever. Even though Lynn had one of my tennis balls in her pocket, I wanted to play with this new ball. (There are still a lot on the living room floor, but now three have been moved to the back yard and two to the front porch. Add in the one in Lynn's coat pocket and that means only seventeen are on the living room floor. Lynn says that is STILL too many. I tell her she is unreasonable and that I need my balls. After all, you never know when someone is going to throw one your way!) ANYWAY! I found a ball at the park on one of our walks. I'm going to let you listen to Lynn and Kathy tell the story - they used it in a remote learning lesson that they made for another teacher friend.
Such a beautiful ball that was! I asked Lynn if she would buy me one just like it, but she said that the tennis balls were more "durable." Not sure what that means, but there's no changing Lynn's mind so I won't get another soccer ball. Doggone it! Wait a minute! Lynn got so busy writing that she forgot it was past time for my first walk of the day! I have to go fix that mistake right away! Stay healthy, Mom. I love you! Pepperoo
