Gus and I were watching a football game one afternoon while Pepper was busy at work on another project in the sunroom. Later, I discovered what she’d been up to: one of her very favorite toys, a plush peanut butter and jelly sandwich with squeaker inside, had been eviscerated. White puffy stuffing was strewn about, plus the remains of the broken squeaker heart.
My own heart lurched. It was Peanut Butter and Jelly! Her favorite toy for months on end! She squeaked it, she carried it around, she offered to play tug of war with it though I always declined. Now, it was past the point of no return.
“Peppy!” I cried. “What have you done?”
She sat quietly on her chair in the sunroom, the formerly beloved toy in shreds nearby. She looked shell shocked.
“I am a mystery to myself,” she said. “I don’t know why I hurt the thing I loved.” She coiled into a very tight curl on her chair and wouldn’t look at me.
I sat down beside the chair and petted her, trying to soothe her. “I’m a mystery to myself sometimes too, Pep,” I confessed. “It’s okay. We all contain multitudes. And Peanut Butter and Jelly was just a thing, just a toy. You’ve never ever done anything to hurt me.”
She looked up. “And I never will,” she promised.
January 15, 2017 at 6:37 am
Squeakers must be removed by any means necessary. This is a fundamental aspect of the canine code of conduct.
January 15, 2017 at 8:23 am
Yes, maybe that is the best way to understand what happened! I’ll tell Pep what the good doctor said. xo
January 15, 2017 at 7:30 am
Jennifer,
I love listening in as Pepper matures! This is why we have several iterations of “Brown Bunny” at our house…all missing something important like a tail, a nose, ears or stuffing. The most loved get the most wear.
January 15, 2017 at 8:26 am
Brown Bunny! The name alone is completely adorable! I might have to investigate acquiring another Peanut Butter and Jelly… it came in a Bark Box so I didn’t actually pick it out… I can only imagine the surprise and joy at our house if another one appeared! Thanks, Elizabeth, xo
January 15, 2017 at 7:40 am
Awww…Pepper. You were lucky that PB&J lasted for months, though. If it has a squeaker in it, Bella will tear a toy to shreds the moment she hears the first squeak. I’ve given up buying them. Have a happy Sunday and thanks for always giving us humans something to chew on.
January 15, 2017 at 8:29 am
Pepper used to de-squeak toys regularly, but she had become a little gentler with them. Then THIS happened, so all bets are off. It sounds like you’ve got Bella’s number on the squeak toys! I’m so glad you enjoy the Pepper posts, thank you for all warm wishes, Dallas, xo
January 15, 2017 at 8:14 am
The post and the photograph remind me of my beloved and lost Belle
January 15, 2017 at 8:32 am
She was one good dog, very loved and loving. I still miss my Belle too. xo
January 15, 2017 at 12:10 pm
Sometimes we make mistakes, even Pepper! It just happens! PB&J had a good life with Pepper!
January 15, 2017 at 6:14 pm
Pepper always gives us something profound to ponder. Was it Kant who studied the collateral damage that comes when a moment of joyful abandon collides with existential angst? Either way, I’m glad you were there to help her pick up the pieces, so to speak.
January 15, 2017 at 6:19 pm
Wow, Mary! Kant was talking about exactly that moment! Thanks for bringing THAT to the conversation! xo
January 16, 2017 at 11:50 am
love
January 16, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Thank you so much, Linda… I’m so glad you are fond of Peppergirl! xo