Hey, Pippa here, and I get to write Kate’s blog post this week! Kate’s been on vacation and going to a lot of yoga, so I’m sure you can understand that she’s just too tired to write this week. So, it’s Pippa Kimball to the rescue! And, I have so much to tell you.Well, I guess I’ll start by introducing myself. I am Pippa Jean Kimball, but I like to go by Pippa Kimball or Peepo. I am an 18-pound Shih Tzu, and I like it when it’s cool outside. I like Cool Weather because I have a birthday during Cool Weather, and also I have a lot of fur, which tends to keep the heat inside me and the heat is known to make me do snapping, growling and fighting with my sister.
Oh, ya! My sister! I have an older sister named Bella who would be the perfect snuggle partner, except for the fact that Bella doesn’t like me. She openly wishes she were still an only dog. I think that’s why she loves our big (human) sister, Brooke, so much; they relate on the level that they both resented our parents when little sisters (me and Kate) came along. Anyway, I love Bella and refuse to leave her alone. Persistence is key when you’re trying to get someone to like you, so I make sure to jump on her as she wakes up each morning, which sends the message, "GOOD MORNING, BELLA! I'M RIGHT HERE AND I LOVE YOU AND YOU LOOK GREAT EVEN AT THIS HOUR!" I also sit very close to her when she eats, for her comfort. And I think I’m making progress, because Bella and I even made up a game that we play together; it’s called Wrestling & Biting. It’s a great game that is fun at any time of day, but personally I prefer to play right when I wake up and right before I go to bed. The game ends when someone is tired, except sometimes I get fed up with Bella and her “independence” so I do a little bit of ear biting and then she—little princess that she is—plays the “I’m smaller” card and yelps until I get harshly picked up and stowed in the living room while she rolls over onto her back to enjoy a belly rub from Mom.
Anyway, I live in a pretty cool house with my mom, dad and big (human) sister, Kate—the one who writes this blog! Kate is pretty nice, gives good belly rubs and we have some common interests, like taking walks, talking, and lying on the ground. Kate and I also like to walk in nature, but Kate usually just looks at the leaves and trees and birds and bugs; she never stops to smell these wondrous things, and often hurries me along in my sniffing. And everyone knows you can't be an efficient sniffer under so much pressure and leash pulling. She's really missing out. Kate’s other downside is that she doesn’t eat meat or cheese, so her “treats” that fall when she’s cooking are usually quinoa kernels, grapes or carrot chunks. Still, I’m not a particular eater (I mean I like to eat poop), so I still fight Bella for the chunk of onion that falls from Kate’s cutting board. The other thing about Kate is that she always telling Bella and me how much she’ll miss us when she moves out. She wants to move out so she can go out on The Weekend with her friends. I’m not sure, but I think The Weekend is a boat. I know Kate is used to working on The Weekend, so she’s probably really excited about going out on The Weekend for pure enjoyment.
Ok, back to my house. My house has lots of windows, a nice deck and some cool tile to lie on after summer walks. But my favorite part of the house is the kitchen. There is a big white door in the kitchen that doesn’t really lead anywhere, but the smells inside—oh my! Cheese! Salami! Pizza! Beans! But every time I get close enough to really explore, my dad or Kate comes along and snaps it shut in front of me. Humans are weird about food. In fact, I think my mom and dad are practicing a religious ritual of some sort. I think they’re making food sacrifices to the gods. A few times a day, every day, my mom or dad (and even Kate!) opens a door underneath the water spout in our kitchen and puts some food in a bag that sits in a tub in there. And once a week they take the bag outside and put it into a bigger tub where all of our neighbors have put their sacrificial food as well. Once a week the gods send their delegates to collect the food in a big truck, and I’m guessing they have it delivered right to the gods’ houses. Because I mostly stick to filling my days with searching for food, taking naps, barking and chasing leaves, I’m happy my family is considering our position with the gods. I hear that all dogs go to heaven, so it’s good to know I’ll be welcomed there.
Well, I think it’s Bedtime. I know that because my eyes are getting droopy and mom has on those funny leopard print pants she puts on before Bedtime every night. I don’t mind Bedtime, because you know what time comes after it? Time To Eat! So, good night! Take care! I love you! See you tomorrow! I have floppy ears! I love Pupperoni treats! Please rub my tummy! Good night!
