Dogs of Our Lives: Pepper & Her Frisbee

First Post of the Day

Taken from another blog of mine that consists of letters from Pepper to Sarah, the woman she guided. Knowing how hard it was for Sarah to part with Pepper, I began writing these letters shortly after Pepper retired and came to live with us. Nacho is Tate's predecessor and guided Kathy.

---

Dear Mom,

Oh, boy, just wait until you hear about this! I have a new toy and I am so excited because I absolutely love it. Can you guess what it is? Here are some hints for you.

First hint: It's round. 

I'll bet you guessed a tennis ball. Nope! It's not a tennis ball. They're fun, but this is funner. (Lynn says that "funner" isn't a word, but I had her look it up and she discovered that by normal rules of adjective formation, it is a word. She says she still won't use it herself but agreed to type it in for me.)

Okay, here is another hint. My new toy is round and flat.

I can hear you now - you think I got donut #5368, right? It isn't a donut! (Although I love, love, love all my donut toys. Lynn says the food donuts are even better, but she won't share with me when she eats one. She said that if I want to stay svelte for my sweet Nacho, then edible donuts aren't for me. Hmmmm...)

One last hint. My new toy can fly! Well, it can fly IF the person playing with me has a good arm. ::cough cough:: (Lynn needs practice; a lot of it. Just sayin'!)

It's a frisbee! Did you guess? (Photo of Pepper lying in the grass, green frisbee beside her.)

Lynn and I have been going down to the park every day to play with it. (Picture of me loping after a green frisbee. Lynn would like to point out that it IS FLYING despite what I said about her ability to throw. I say that she got lucky.) 

When Lynn pulls my frisbee out of the cabinet by the front door, I grab it in my mouth and carry it all the way to the park. (Photo of me carrying the frisbee in my mouth.)

I don't mind that I can't sniff at all the trees and things to see who has visited the park before me. It's more fun to carry my frisbee. (Another photo of me carrying my treasure.)

Lynn has promised to practice throwing it, and she said that, in the meantime, I should be glad that she hasn't (yet) thrown it into the lake or someone's back yard by mistake. (Picture of me lying in the shady grass with my frisbee between my front paws.)

Call me one happy dog!

Flying high into the sky I remain,

Your Pepper

Dogs of Our Lives: Nash's Herald of Spring

Hooh boy. I am so tired of winter.

Even when there is a break in the weather and Lisa opens the door so I can see out continue my vigilant protection of the homestead, 

that snow soon returns.

We just can't catch a break.

My toys are boring and I don't have enough of them to play with anyway.

Molly just wants to sleep and won't play with me.

Going to Grammy and Boompa's house for the day is a bright spot.

But in the end, all Pepper and Tammo really want to do

is snooze all day. Well, Tammo will play for a FEW minutes, but I need more exercise than that!

Because of the cold and snowy winter, no one is out walking their dogs.

Still, I remain on active duty. Constant vigilance!!

Sigh. 

Bored, bored, bored, bored, BORED.

WAIT!! What is that?? Could it be?? Why, yes, I think it just might!

https://youtu.be/DDmDxJYYWXk

Alert! Alert! Alert! Alert! Everybody meet me in the living room! STAT!

::Yawn:: ::Grumble and mutter:: ::Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle::

This had better be good, Nash. We were all very comfy and sound asleep.

Oh, it is, Pepper, it is! In fact, it's super exciting! I rolled when I went out to survey the backyard for safety, and look what's on my back!

::long silence::

Um, Nash, just what is that?

The first blade of grass of Spring! Spring's coming! It's gonna be getting warm and we will be able to get outside more and play in the sun!

:: General doggy cheering, great warooos, arfs, and barks::

Dogs, dogs! What is going on here!!

Lynn, look at my back! Do you see it?

What, the green thread that's from my last sewing project?

::long silence::

Aw, I'm just kidding you. Looks like a blade of grass to me, Nash. How about we all celebrate that sign of Spring with...

Ooo! Let's go get pup cups!

No, I wanna go play frisbee!

Can we please take a walk?

::Loud, shrill, whistle::

Listen up, pups! How about some of the special treats I keep in the pantry for big occasions?

::general doggy cheering and pandemonium::

::munch, munch, munch, munch::

That was yummy! If I bring in another blade of grass tomorrow, can we have those pup cups?

Seriously?? Frisbee is good exercise; we should celebrate that way.

Well, so is walking. We should do that.

::Sound fades and the dogs disperse to their comfy beds while arguing the choices::

ZZZZZzzzzzzz.....

Notes about this story:

Yes, Nash loves the outdoors and would much prefer to be outside than inside.

He really did roll in the dead grass in our backyard and when he came in, I noticed the green blade of grass and took a photo of it because, Spring!

Nash is well known for howling along with ambulances and other emergency vehicles. I was working in my office and he was looking out the window when he heard this one and started in. I grabbed my camera but only got the tail end of his howling.

The pics of the pup cup and the frisbee are from Google. I could not find any of my own. However, that is Tammo on the leash and going for a walk.

Dogs of Our Lives: The Signs Say Prepare!

Whoa! What the... Look at that! OH NO!! I know what that means!"

Alert! AlertAlertAlertAlert! Everybody come quick! Important safety announcement!

Oh, good grief, Nash. We are all already here.

No kidding! I think he just wanted an excuse to howl.

Yeah, he loves to exercise those pipes of his. And now my ears are ringing.

Let's just go back inside. I'm sure it's not important.

Listen UP, I say. Take a look at what I just found on the patio!

Do you KNOW what that is? It's a Wooly Bear and its stripes tell us how bad winter is going to be.

If I remember right, that big orange middle means lots of heavy snow, ice, blizzards, zero degree temperatures with wind chills at minus 300, and being stuck inside for months at a time!

What?? Nooooo! That means I won't be able to play frisbee at the park! I'm shook!! SHOOK, I say!

It's true! And remember that sparrow feather we found in the yard? That's another sign it will be a bad winter - the birds are growing bigger feathers so they can keep themselves warm when it's 300 below.

The baby deer with antlers we spied in the neighbor's yard? Even the baby deer are preparing for a bad winter - they know they are going to have to fight for food, even the babies!

And while I hate to mention him (shiver), Mr. Toad is putting on the pounds. He's an old toad and been through several winters. He's the most reliable sign of all that it is gonna be a bad winter!

(The dogs crowd through the back door and race into the house.)

I call any place that has a sun puddle! That's where I will be sleeping when it's cold outside!

(Loftily) I can't think of just myself; Lynn is my partner and I need to make sure she is warm, too. We can snuggle on the couch when it's cold out. See? We are practicing.

(Yawn) I love the double blankets on this bed. So warm and comfy!

All right! Mission accomplished! I have warned my family about the approaching danger and now I can take a snooze, too.

This family would not survive without my leadership. ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz

(Happy Fall, ya'll! What are your Wooly Bears saying about winter?)

Dogs (and Horses) of Our Lives: Back to School!

Second Post of the Day

Welcome back, students! We are going to dig right in and get started with our learning this morning. Do you like animals? I do! I thought it would be fun to use animal examples in our learning this year. What do you think? Would you like to do that?

(pause)

My goodness, such excitement! Please have a seat so we can get started.

(pause)

Sweetie, will you please sit down?

That's exciting that you take cheer and dance classes.

Thank you for offering, but right now isn't a good time to show us how to cheer when we are excited.

Okay, I will think about maybe creating a class cheer. Yes, you can help. Please sit down.

(clearing throat) Today we will learn "up" and "down."

These horses are walking UP to the gate.

I agree; they are very pretty! Please remember to raise your hand if you want to share!

They are coming UP to the gate for some carrots.

Thank you for raising your hand. (Pause) Well, yes, they do like sugar cubes but I only had carrots in my fridge. 

Oh, my! Look at all the hands that are up! Yes, dear?

Um hmmm, you are right. Carrots are better for teeth than sugar cubes.

Oh, wow, more hands! Thank you for remembering to raise them.

No, horses don't brush their teeth.

Yes, horses have very big teeth.

No, I've never had a horse with a cavity.

Flossing? Well, since they don't brush their teeth, they don't floss either.

I'll tell you what. Hold on to those questions and let's talk about horses' teeth later this morning. Sound good?

Wonderful!

(clearing throat again)

This horse has put her head UP and OVER the gate. (We will talk about "OVER" tomorrow.)

Are there any questions about UP? 

What? Oh, yes, sweetie. I gave them all carrots. No one was left out.

Say that again? (pause) You are correct! Carrots are very good for our eyes.

Last question, okay? 

(pause)

I don't know if horses can see as well as bunnies in the dark, but that is a very good question. 

Alrighty, then! Well, UP has an OPPOSITE. Remember, we discussed OPPOSITE last year. Who can refresh our memories as to its meaning?

(pause) 

Well done! I'm glad you remembered that over summer break.

The OPPOSITE of UP is DOWN. Here is an example of DOWN. 

The little dog has climbed UP on the back of the couch. 

Yes, sweetie. I know that is naughty. Thank you for sharing. Hand up next time, please!

The little dog is starting to slide DOWN the back of the couch. 

Honey, no, that big dog is not going to eat the little dog. Don't worry!

The little dog slides DOWN the back of the couch. 

Students, trust me! The big dog is friendly and likes the little dog. Really! 

Oh, honey, don't cry. The big dog won't hurt the little dog. Let me show you another picture of them happy together, okay? And go get a tissue. Where are they? They are on the back table.

(stampede)

Oh, my! I didn't realize so many of you needed a tissue. Does everyone who needed wanted one have one now?

Okay, here is a picture that should make you smile.

The big dog and the little dog are cuddled UP on the couch.

Oops! Hands up, please! Don't just shout out your comments or questions!

Much better! Yes, sweetie?

Aren't you observant! ("Observant" means that you studied the picture and looked for things in it.) You are right, that is a different couch that the big dog and little dog are on.

Yes, sweetie? No, I don't know which couch is more comfortable. The dogs like both.

The blankets are there to keep the dog hair from getting on the couches.

We do, yes. Brushing the dogs is something everybody enjoys.

Well, I put the dog hair in the trash can.

Yes, I have heard that some people spin it into wool. (I'll bet you have been to The Feast of the Hunters' Moon, right? I thought so!)

Now, let's move on.... Horses's teeth? Oh, right! I did say we'd talk about that...

Dedicated with love to Lisa and all the teachers heading back to their classrooms. Have a terrific school year and enjoy those up and down-type discussions when they happen! 

Me with my very last class on our first day of school together. Oh, how I miss teaching!

Dogs of Our Lives - The Troll Under the Deck

"All right! Tammo's coming over to play today! Mama, stay back; Boompa's gonna open the door and I don't want you to get loose. It's not safe for you to run walk shuffle free."

"Nash! Mama! I'm so glad to be here! Nash, I have a new game to teach you! Let's go out the doggy door to the back yard, okay?" 

"I learned it from Grammy. It's called 'Spin-to-Win' and she plays it with her friends online. It's a lot of fun although you might get a bit dizzy. Ready? Set? Go!"

"Catch your breath, Nash. You did pretty good, er, for an older dog, that is."

"I'm fine. Listen, Tammo. I want to share something with you alone so that Mama and Lisa don't learn about this and get scared. Be brave, son."

(Whispering) "There are strange things going on out here in the back yard. I'd appreciate your help in figuring out how I should address the issues so I can keep the ladies and the house safe."

"Yeah, sure there are. You're either trying to scare me or this is like going on a snipe hunt where everyone fools the gullible newby. Not happening, Nash."

(Sharply) "Tammo! Listen to me! This is not a prank. Look over there in the corner of the yard. See those day lilies? An old bunny died there and has turned into stone." (Lowering voice) "But I think it still lives. I have seen its eyes move. And sometimes I even find bunny cocoa puffs near it."

(To self) "Oh, this is good." (Aloud) "Sure, Nash. I'll go look, just to make you happy. And if there are bunny cocoa puffs, let's hide them from Pepper. You know how much she likes to eat them."

"Hmmm. Well, that was unexpected, Nash. I didn't see the eyes move or any bunny cocoa puffs around, though. I think it's just a garden ornament. You're safe."

(Murmuring to self) "Nice try, big boy. I'm too smart to fall for that."

"There's something else scary out here, Tammo. Lisa's back yard is not the idyllic doggy playground that it seems." (Whispering) "We have a troll that lives under the deck. The very deck that you are lying on."

"Oh, for pete's sake, Nash. I told you; I'm not falling for these tricks."

"Tricks? TRICKS?? Go inside and ask Lisa. She'll tell you that we have a troll under the deck - she herself has seen it! I triple dog dare you to ask her!"

(Thinking) "A triple dog dare? Whoa! Nashie-boy is serious!" (Aloud) "Okay, I'll go ask her. But I still don't think there is a troll under the deck. And I'm not falling for your tricks."

"Boy, Lisa needs to brush up on her dog-ese. And she calls herself a teacher! Nash? Na-ash! I'm coming back out."

"Did she tell you about the troll?"

"No. How could she since she clearly is not fluent in dog-ese? I gave it my best shot and she kept asking me, 'What do you need?' I'm gonna call your bluff, Nash. Show me the supposed troll under the deck."

"Follow me, Tammo. It usually lurks over here. Be very, very quiet. And be ready to run. Fast."

"Aroo! Yipyipyip!! Yi! Yi! Yi! There's the troll! Run for the doggy door!"

(Panting and shivering) "Hi, Lisa. Just gonna chill with you here for a while until my heart slows back down."

"Heh, heh, heh! The joke's on ol' Nashie-boy. That's a toad, not a troll! I had several in my yard back in Florida and they won't bother you. And now I have the deck all to myself. A nap sure sounds good! ZZZZzzzzzzzz."

Stay 'tooned for another Dogs of Our Lives coming soon!