The Perils of Pippa Parks

     It's been a while since I've written anything about little Miss Pippa Parks.  I think it's time for an update.  A lot has been going on in her life! 
     Not too long ago Pippa would sneak outside any chance she got.  If she saw the door open, she was out quicker than we could even think to stop her.  Pippa makes lightening look slow!  One evening her "daddy" was outside scoping out where the wasps were nesting for the spring season.  For some reason I opened the door without thinking, and out she went!  She ran around the front of PT (the truck I wrote about in a previous blog), around the back of the truck, across the yard and up the street by our backyard fence.  I ran after her in my heels and skirt, screaming her name and to stop.  Daddy came around the corner just as she ran back to the front yard and up the side of the truck, ears back and running for all she was worth.  He couldn't stop her but yelled "shes coming around again!" just and she headed toward me.  I lunged for her as she dashed around the truck again.  Daddy jumped towards her at just the right time and scooped her up in his arms.  Whew!  Wish we had that on video!  It was quite a show.
     Pippa has always loved playing in the backyard.  The bigger the stick she can find to carry around in her mouth, the better.  But when it was time to come in, oh my.  I actually had to sneak up on her and grab her to get her in the house!  Now at almost 6 months old she is doing so good!  She watches for the door to open and comes running.  She's such a smart girl!
     Three weeks ago today Pippa was not feeling so well though.  That was the day she was spayed and had her dewclaws removed.  Oh that poor puppy Pippa.  She felt so badly it broke my heart!  The vet had sent us home with meds that she had to take but she was not interested at all.  Then I had an idea.  Peanut butter.  Not only did it work, but now every time I have a spoon full of peanut butter, Pippa won't leave me alone until she gets to lick the spoon clean!  (Don't tell my mom.  She would have a fit!)  During recover unfortunately Pippa couldn't keep from gnawing at her stitches on her paws so she had to wear the cone of shame.  It was so sad but so cute at the same time!
     When we first got Pippa, there were two things we were not going to let her do.  She would not eat table food and she would not sleep in anyone's bed but her own.  Well the peanut butter thing kinda gave it away that the first rule is out the window.  She also loves popcorn and chicken and even green beans!  Sometimes she even eats her dog food!  :)
     Now as far as that second rule.  Well........a couple of us break that rule occasionally....or maybe a lot!  Just say "Ready to go night night Pip?" and she can't wait to get into bed!  For a 9 pound dog (yes she has grown a lot!) she takes most of the bed.  I've actually walked in our 6' tall son's room and found him hanging on the edge of the bed asleep while Pippa took the rest!  About the only time she doesn't do good is when she hears someone else still up after she has gone night night.  Pippa doesn't want to miss a thing and whimpers and barks and whines until she gets her way and can run to where the fun is instead of the snoring.
     So she's gotten bigger....a lot bigger.  Had surgery.  Survived the cone of shame.  Learned to not run away.  Usually anyway.  She does run thru the house with her ears back and eyes glazed over at times though.  She's gotten us to give her table food and most especially peanut butter.  And she takes over our beds.  She has us wrapped around her little paws.  We love that Pippy Parks.  Even when she eats our throw rugs!