Introducing Pepper

April 23, 2012 by Pat Bean

Note the tail kink -- Photo by Pat Bean

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” – Charles Schulz

Already the Love of My Life

I wanted a 20 to 25 pound, female canine, one to three years old, from the sporting group of dogs, as the replacement for Maggie, my treasured, Cocker Spaniel traveling companion. I got an 11-pound, four-month-old puppy instead.

It was meant to be.

She’s a cross, most likely, between a Scottie and a Schnauzer. I’ll never know for sure because I’m not going to pay the $60 for DNA testing. It really doesn’t matter.

She has chocolate, melt-your-heart eyes, when you can see them beneath her long silky hair – I think we’ll do a little trimming soon. She bounds when she runs, has a kink in her tail and bless my lucky stars, is potty-trained.

Why won't they play with me? -- Photo by Pat Bean

She came from the third animal shelter I visited, it being the Second Change SPCA Shelter in Plano, Texas.

I’m not sure if I picked her, or she picked me. It was as if our eyes met and we both knew we belonged together. The deed was sealed when someone put her in my lap and she nestled down as if this was where she belonged.

Although friendly with everyone, she has already decided she wants to keep me in her sight. For example, she’s lying at me feet right now as I sit at my daughter’s dining room table, and she followed me into the kitchen twice when I got up to refill my coffee cup.

Photographing Pepper wasn't easy. Not only was she constantly moving, her black fur made her look like a bundle of rags in most of the pictures I took. She actually has some red and blonde tints in her coat, the kind women pay a fortune to achieve, that show well in the sunlight. -- Photo by Pat Bean

When I went out to my RV, Gypsy Lee, for our first night together, she eagerly bounded into the motorhome and was soon settled comfortably beside me on the over-the-cab bed. When I got up in the middle of the night to visit the powder room, she greeted me on my return as if I had been gone a week.

I’ve named her Pepper, partly because of the spice I know she’s going to add to my life and partly because she is so full of it. She acts as if that’s been her name all her life, even though the shelter called her Kenzie.

I yelled Pepper yesterday evening when I saw her headed for the kitchen and the food bowl of my daughter’s two dogs. I yelled because her tummy was already full, and I didn’t want her eating more and getting sick.

Face-off with my daughter's Cocker Spaniel, MacBean. -- Photo by pat Bean

She immediately did a U-turn, jumped back up into my lap and gave me puppy kisses.

Pepper and I will be getting on the road heading west tomorrow. She has already tried out the co-pilot seat and it fits her well.

I suspect that when we pull away from my daughter’s home, I will turn to Pepper and quote Dr. Seuss: “Oh the places we’ll go, and the things we’ll see.” That’s what I told Maggie when we got on the road eight years ago. And we did.

Bean’s Pat: Stopping the Wind http://tinyurl.com/cbtkqwo Mostly a reblog of Trey Ramsey’s blog by someone trying to change their future. It includes some hard-nosed, kick-butt advice for all of us who are trying to meet new goals. I took notes.

http://tinyurl.com/cbtkqwo

Posted in Dogs, Travel | Tagged charles Schulz, dogs, pat bean, postaday, Travel, traveling companions | 40 Comments

40 Responses

on April 23, 2012 at 1:43 pm | Reply newsferret

That is a just love me puppy!
on April 23, 2012 at 3:03 pm | Reply internetreviewofbooks

Hi Pepper! You sound like an absolute sweetie. Enjoy your travels and your new best friend.
on April 23, 2012 at 3:04 pm | Reply Susan Wittig Albert

Big happy smiles for you and Pepper, Pat. Such a sweetie!

And more from Dr. Seuss, just for you and Pepper: “You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.”

Here’s to getting mixed up with many strange birds!
- on April 23, 2012 at 4:00 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  I love it. I’m always quoting Dr. Seuss, and this one fits Pepper and I like a well-worn glove.
  
  Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
on April 23, 2012 at 3:24 pm | Reply Alex Autin

That is one lucky puppy to be in the co-pilot’s seat! You two are gonna get along just fine. And yes! Where can I go to have those blonde and red highlights put in my hair!? Gorgeous!
- on April 23, 2012 at 3:31 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  I think we’re both lucky. No idea about where to go about the hair. I’m a Miss Clairol blonde, the color I was when I was a tow-headed, freckle-faced kid. Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
on April 23, 2012 at 4:44 pm | Reply sampatron

What a lovely, lively puppy, Pat. Her energy comes through very plainly even in pictures. Many happy trails to y’all! Sam
- on April 23, 2012 at 4:49 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Thanks Sam
on April 23, 2012 at 5:15 pm | Reply pixilated2

Tears of joy! She has a most remarkable face too, so happy for you both!
~ Lynda
- on April 23, 2012 at 5:26 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Thanks Lynda
on April 23, 2012 at 6:30 pm | Reply dogdaz

Congratulations! I see great places in your future together.
- on April 23, 2012 at 8:02 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Thanks dogdaz. The future begins today.
on April 23, 2012 at 7:09 pm | Reply aFrankAngle

Cheers to the new co-pilot!
- on April 23, 2012 at 8:01 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  She says thank you.
on April 23, 2012 at 8:21 pm | Reply Deborah Lee

What a cutie pie! I love her already! Have lots of fun on your new adventures!
on April 23, 2012 at 10:35 pm | Reply bearyweather

Congratulations …. sounds like you are off with a great new companion on those happy trails.
on April 23, 2012 at 11:28 pm | Reply wisfullywandering

My childhood dog was named Pepper! He was a mix of Schnauzer and Terrier. Such a good boy. So cute, enjoy her!
on April 24, 2012 at 12:24 am | Reply Linda Hoye

What a cutie! I’m so happy for both of you for finding each other, Pat!
- on April 24, 2012 at 2:19 am | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Yup. She is a cuties. Thanks Linda.
on April 24, 2012 at 12:43 am | Reply lavenderdragonfly

May your travels be smooth and may Pepper spice up your days with all the puppy love you deserve.
- on April 24, 2012 at 2:12 am | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Thanks.
on April 24, 2012 at 2:34 am | Reply spurgin

I love Pepper already! I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventures. The nursing home where I used to take students had a nursing home dog, Peggy Sue, who was part Scottie and a rescue. She was a delight and we all mourned when she died of old age.
on April 24, 2012 at 5:42 am | Reply barb19

Pepper looks gorgeous and full of beans (pardon the pun)! You two fit together perfectly – it was meant to be. Good luck to you both on your travels!
on April 24, 2012 at 11:16 am | Reply futuredoll

So cute! That hair!
on April 24, 2012 at 11:39 am | Reply readytochangenow

I love her face!
- on April 24, 2012 at 11:59 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Me too, when I can see it through all her hair. Thanks.
on April 24, 2012 at 2:45 pm | Reply Wazeau

I am so glad that you two found each other and look forward to your posts as you travel together. She is adorable. That kink!
- on April 24, 2012 at 11:52 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Thanks. She chases birds, but so far as simply ignored cats. Of course my daughter’s cat is bigger than she is.
  
  Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
on April 24, 2012 at 2:49 pm | Reply marianallen

Hooray for Pepper! I just KNEW your dog was out there waiting for you! 🙂 Her name may be Pepper, but she looks like a peach. 🙂
- on April 24, 2012 at 11:51 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Perhaps a spicy peach.
on April 24, 2012 at 5:25 pm | Reply jim phillips

I’m so glad you found a new travelling companion! Pepper looks like fun in a bundle!
- on April 24, 2012 at 9:22 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Thanks Jim, a bundle of fun she is.
  
  Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
- on April 24, 2012 at 9:24 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Thanks Jim, a bundle of fun she is
on April 26, 2012 at 2:28 am | Reply Deb Platt

The photo where Pepper is looking up, so everyone can see her face… that face is just adorable. You picked a great name, too.
- on April 26, 2012 at 10:49 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Thanks Deb. The first time I called her Pepper, she responded. It was as if she picked the name.
on April 27, 2012 at 1:15 am | Reply Darla McDavid

She’s adorable. Pepper is one blessed puppy to have an owner like you. She will be loved.
- on April 27, 2012 at 1:57 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Yup! I hope she knows it.
on April 30, 2012 at 5:39 am | Reply EllaDee

Told you so. I’m very happy for you and Pepper 🙂
on May 1, 2012 at 5:14 pm | Reply bchukran

Pat, I must have missed the news about Maggie. I’m so sorry! I’m sure you’ll have many happy travels with Pepper, just like you did with her. Hugs from Texas! bobbi c.
- on May 1, 2012 at 6:34 pm | Reply Pat Bean
  
  Thanks Bobbi. I miss a lot so no apology necessary. I read when I have time, comment when I have time and go delete, delete, deleter when I don’t have time.