Checkin' In!

 Dear Mom,

Hello from wet, chilly, and rainy western Indiana! When Lynn let me outside before breakfast this morning, I made sure to do my business fast. Usually I like to run around the yard and grab a little pre-breakfast of bunny cocoa puffs, but today it was in and out. (Lynn wants you to know that she is working very hard to end my access to bunny cocoa puffs.)

Things here are going great! Lynn (who had a spinal fusion two weeks ago) is home from the hospital and recovering. She has even felt well enough to take me to the park and play frisbee again. That's my favorite game, and let's just say Lynn's aim is improving and she only SOMETIMES throws the frisbee into the neighbors' fenced in back yard.

(Photo of Pepper lying in the green grass at the park with her frisbee lying on her front legs, ready to grab when Lynn says she's ready to throw it again.)

This semester, Molly and Nash come to my house every Thursday and Friday while Lisa teaches. I love those days, but I do have to remind Nash CONSTANTLY that all the toys are MINE.

(Photo of Pepper with seven toys on her bed and placing her octopus pull toy on top.)

Lynn, Craig, and Lisa have dubbed me "the shark" for the ingenious way I have devised to take any and all toys away from Nash. 

Nash is a lot bigger than me, so I have to use my brain and outsmart him to get them back. And in my defense (Lynn says there is no defense; just ignore her) he DOES tease me by grabbing a toy, running away with it, and then prancing back to me and shaking it at me. (Photo of Pepper lying on two toys muzzle to muzzle with Nash. Look carefully and you will see one peeking out from underneath him. Shhh! Don't tell Pepper!)

Craig has a nickname for Nash - the 8th Grade Boy. That's because he is young and very, very adolescenty goofish. For example, Nash is ALWAYS losing my favorite ball under the chairs and couches.

Then he lies by the couch it is underneath and looks mournful. Perhaps Nash is smarter than he seems - it works every time. Craig gets down on the floor and gets the ball for him. (Photo of Nash lying by the couch and looking intently at the ball that is underneath it.)

I like Thursdays and Fridays when Molly and Nash are here - we play a lot, and Lynn always gives us Kongs with peanut butter in them in the afternoon.

Sometimes she even shares her favorite snack, Skinny Pop, with us, too! (Photo of Molly, Nash, and Pepper with hopeful faces and sitting in front of Lynn who has a bag of Skinny Pop on her lap.)

When Lisa is done at school and comes to pick Molly and Nash up, we all have a joyful reunion. I always bring her a toy - after all, she's a teacher and knows what show and tell is all about. (See? I can share!)

(Photo of Lisa sitting on the floor, Pepper getting a belly rub, Nash lying by Pepper, and Molly sitting next to Lisa with a very happy look on her face.)

After they go home, things are a lot quieter here. And honestly, I'm usually kind of tired. Taking toys away from Nash all day can really wear a girl out. (Lynn says I wouldn't be so tired if I just let him have them, so I had to remind her yet again that they are MY toys.)

(Photo of Pepper sound asleep in the center of a warm patch of sunshine coming through the windows.)

Life is good and I am very happy. 

Sending wags, licks, and happy wiggles to you all,

Love, 

Miss P.

Catching Up

 Hallo, Mom!

I am sorry it has been so long since I last wrote. Blame Lynn and Craig. They keep me to a rigorous schedule of naps, walks, meals, and play time. I finally had to put my paw down and insist that I get a chance to write to you.

Did you have a nice holiday season? We sure did, but boy was it crowded around here - sixteen people for an extended stay! (They all quarantined for two weeks and had negative COVID tests before coming.) And some of that company brought their dogs. Lynn and Craig actually invited the dogs to join us!

Photo of seven year old Julie sitting between Millie and Molly on the floor.

Now, I am used to Millie and Molly, but Blue and Rhett were new to me. And you KNOW how those dogs from Colorado are - kind of free spirited, if you catch my drift.

But they had their uses, too. They really liked helping with clean up - plates, floors, and kids who didn't want to use their napkins. They excelled at the latter. Photo of six year old Ian lying on the ground and laughing as Rhett and Blue clean his face.

After Christmas, Millie became very ill. She was diagnosed with diabetes and spent time in the hospital. Lisa, Lynn, and Craig took really good care of her, but at last she became so ill that she was euthanized. We were all completely devastated. I didn't think anyone would ever smile again. 

Photo of Millie lying on the carpet at our home.

We all miss Millie so much. And Molly especially does. I think I've told you this, but Molly was a puppy mill breeder and she has terrible fears from her time there. Millie always helped her feel comfortable when things got scary for her. I tried my best to help her, but I live in my house and she lives in hers.

So, Nash came to live with Lisa and Molly. Photo of Lynn and me on the couch with Nash sitting on the floor in front of us.

He's a 75 pound two year old German Shepherd/Labrador cross that is a rescue from Kokomo.

Oh, how he loves to play! We play together a lot and Lynn says her house is "suffering" because of it. I'm not sure what she means because playing is fun and who doesn't like that? (I suspect Lynn is exaggerating again.) Photo of Nash and Pepper with a rope tug between them, each pulling backwards.

Best of all, Molly took to Nash right away. Lynn thought he might be too lively for her, but she was snuggling with him before the end of their second day together. Photo of Nash and Molly lying side by side, sides touching, and asleep.

Nash doesn't play with her - he seems to sense that she is easily overwhelmed. He did get her to do zoomies around the back yard once, though. That surprised all the humans and made them laugh. Photo of Nash and Molly lying together, Nash's muzzle on her back.

I did have to reassure my sweet Nacho that he had nothing to worry about in the romance department when it came to Nash. Nacho will always be my one true love. Just thinking of him makes me want to swoon!

And guess what? Kathy has asked Lynn to help her by walking Nacho every day and I get to come along! Every afternoon Craig, Lynn, Nacho, and I take a jaunt around our neighborhood. Nacho and I sneak some kisses in when the humans aren't looking - they have no idea of the romance unfolding right in front of them!

So, that's an update from me and you are now all caught up. It has been busy, and a little sad when we lost Millie, but we are all doing well and I am very, very happy. (I'd be even happier if Lynn would share the popcorn she is munching while I dictate this letter to you, but she says I don't need it. Hmph!)

Love to you and Dad, Ursula, and the kitties!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Pepper