February 25, 2018
by jenniferpuryear
In February it rains and rains and rains while unhappy pets sit at windows wishing they weren’t stuck inside. Yards are muddy and sludgy and spotted with pools of standing water. An especially large pool developed in the back corner of our yard. Pepper sat by the window, patiently at first and less patiently as the day dragged on. She sat, then she paced, she …
February 14, 2018
by jenniferpuryear
Pepper and I returned from a damp and dreary walk in the neighborhood one recent afternoon. Early crocuses blooming at the base of the old oak tree were the only signs of a spring still distant. As we approached the house, Pep and I both heard it: our favorite loud, deep bark. “It’s Hotch!” she cried, and I let her off the leash. Pep dashed …
October 3, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
Kevin Crumbo and Captain Jack Sparrow were up early this morning, one of them sad. From Kevin: “Don’t you think 4:00 am is a bit early to be tuning a guitar?” Jack said as he pondered why I wasn’t gearing up for the morning hike in Percy Warner Park. “I lost a good friend last night. Tom Petty died.” “That is terrible news. Are you …
September 17, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
The weakened remnant of Hurricane Irma brought 3 days of gentle but persistent rain to Nashville. We had nothing to complain about. “I’m bored to tears,” Pepper complained on day 1, stuck inside, and I gave her a large bacon and cheese stuffed bone to help pass the time. “I’m bored to tears,” she complained on day 2, and I gave her a large peanut …
September 3, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
Sometimes we see things we wish we hadn’t. One recent afternoon, late in the day, Pepper dashed from the back yard up to the door, scratching to get my attention. I opened it, expecting her usual rush into the house, but instead she dashed down the back porch steps into the yard. “What’s going on?” I called. “Come, come!” she cried. Well trained to that command, …
July 2, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
Pepper was enjoying a marvelous nap in the kitchen one recent afternoon while I caught up on Facebook. Correction: I thought Pepper was napping. After my third trip to the freezer in as many minutes, she sat right up in her bed. “Do you plan on eating that third ice cream sandwich?” she inquired. “Oh gosh!” I stuttered. “Have I already eaten two? They’re really …
June 11, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
You don’t expect to see a chipmunk (otherwise known as a “ground squirrel”) 8 feet up a tree trunk. It would clearly rather be anywhere else on the planet. It’s not sure what to do next. Pepper, on the other hand, was quite sure what she’d like to do next. (There is little doubt about why the chipmunk found itself up a tree.) Pep leapt up …
May 14, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
It was not an unusual morning. I was up early, drinking tea, browsing the Facebook feed, while Pepper kept an eye on things in the yard from her spot in the sunroom. Then – an explosion of barking! (From Pep.) She ran to the door, lunging into it, letting me know in her subtle way that a very urgent matter required her attention. A squirrel, …
April 23, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
Parting was such sweet sorrow the afternoon my friend Ann and I picked up Pepper and Coco from puppy daycare at the same time. It’s hard to say who caused more trouble (well, honestly, it’s not that hard. You can imagine.) We eventually got the pups disentangled and into our respective vehicles. “How was your day?” I asked Pep. “How …
March 26, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
“What do you do when one version of the future just stands up and walks away?” I asked Pepper as we checked on the baby oak and maple trees I planted late last fall. The maples have been showing the tiniest little red leaves – signs of life! – while the oaks keep any life within them hidden, still. “Like when the baby rabbit gets …