I know that you probably have an idea of Penny and her, well let’s say, attitude. My husband and I were talking today about the cute little puppy she was just 3 years ago. All round and bouncy and silly.

And what a beautiful adult she’s grown into…all attitude, always on guard, listening to everything. Still bouncy but with more edge, though silly too when she’s in the mood.

One of the things she does not allow in her household is me chopping garlic.

I used to buy chopped garlic in a jar. Then we tried to eat vegan for awhile and I learned how to smash the fresh garlic bulb with the flat of my knife and then chop it up. It takes no time at all…and it’s fresh.

And then along came Penny.

She doesn’t like loud, unexpected noises. Like a knife slamming on a garlic bulb. Or tinfoil being torn from the box. Or plates clicking on each other coming out of the dishwasher. Or someone sneezing.

She prohibits it all.

Today I was making potato soup. I tried my darndest to quietly press the knife into the garlic bulb. No slamming. No noise really. But when I began to slice the garlic she was instantly next to me barking hysterically.

She can, from standing still beside me, leap as high as my shoulder with seemingly little effort. Today it seemed she jumped even higher in her indignation. I put the knife down, picked her up and put her into her nearby pen . Where she complained loudly.

I chopped the garlic and the potatoes and then let her out. It seemed necessary to remind her she doesn’t actually own the house. Or me.

Does she?