Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Tag Archives: Penny


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A forced vacation!

Penny here! Boy I thought I’d never get back online and all of my fans would wonder forever what happened to me! Cause you know a little bit about the adventures my folks have been on, but I’m sure you were worried about me too. Right? Right???

You WERE worried, right?

Well at first mom and dad figured since I’m a big girl I could stay at home alone and mom would get home often enough to walk me and more importantly feed me. But once they were fully immersed in their adventure they realized they needed help, so one of our nice neighbors, Mr. Mike, came to the house and took me for walks.

He did that all weekend. I was cool with that cause I like Mr. Mike, and because sometimes he brought his dog Oliver along. Oliver and I are in love. (Don’t tell Oliver, but I have lots of boyfriends that I’m in love with.)

Then on Monday mom took me to go see my dog mom, Vivian, and her bestie Olivia, and my niece Sara and my mama S!

I can’t wait to see everybody!

I just love visiting there, Sarah and I play nonstop. Mom says I instigate a lot of the play and that I’m a little stinker but mama S. says I’m a perfect little girl who fits right in.

I don’t think my mom is fooled.

That’s my dog mom, Vivian, on the left and my niece Sarah on the right!

I was happy to be there, but then I turned around and my mom was gone! I couldn’t find her anywhere! And even though I love to visit I still want my mom. I’d wait by the door every evening hoping mom would come get me.

I was there all week and over another weekend and half way through the next week! Heck, when Mom finally decided she’d come get me I’d almost forgotten about her.

At the dog park I told those big dogs off. Cause they were on the other side of the fence.

Still, I was glad to be going home and so was a little confused when we stopped at a dog park and mom let me run and run and run. She said she wanted me to get all the antsy out of my system cause I was going on another adventure.

I like to contemplate life while I’m exploring.

And I ended up at my kennel! What the heck mom! I hadn’t even seen daddy yet! But it’s a nice kennel and I don’t mind being there. I followed the girl to the back without even looking at mom.

I do that cause I know it hurts her feelings.

Whatever, mother.

I should have been a bit more compassionate because mom says she felt terrible. But daddy was coming home from the hospital and he needed some time to get stronger before I was jumping all over him, so I had to stay at the kennel for four nights!

And finally, FINALLY, today mom came and got me and I was soooo excited that I barked and barked at her in the car and you know what she did?

I’m back at my park. Wonder what mom has up her sleeve this time?!

She stopped at the dog park and let me run and run and run until I wore myself out and then she took me home to see daddy who was very happy that everybody was finally at home.

I love to run, especially to mom who always has a treat!

And now we’re all going to get some sleep. I promised mom not to wake them up too early tomorrow morning. I hope I can keep that promise.

Mom really, REALLY hopes so too.


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My dog won’t let me chop garlic

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.

Hey mom!

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.

Have you pulled your daily sheltie permit yet?

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.

I’m watching you, mother.

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.

No noises allowed.

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.

Got it??

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?


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Filling in

Penny here. I’m filling in for my mom who seems to be very busy. She and daddy are gone a lot during the day and I’m left to guard the house.

Let me show you around Penny’s Park!

I will tell you that I am a very fierce guard dog — if I’m on the other side of a door. If someone, say the cleaning lady, comes through the door, well, I’m just a happy puppy that needs to get her head rubbed.

I can’t help it. I’m adorable.

Running in my park is one of my favorite things to do!

Anyway, mom and I haven’t been to dog school in a couple weeks. I don’t know when we’ll be back in school. Mom even missed some band, and there’s a concert (so she tells me) this coming Friday!

We had a beautiful day for a walk at my park!

I don’t know, the folks seem entirely disorganized at the moment. I think I’m going to have to give them a stern talking to. I’m sure they’ll shape up if I can get them to focus on me.

After all. I AM the most important dog in this household!

Just because all the snow melted doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods. (Hee hee, see what I did there?)

Mom did take me to my park this week. We call it Penny’s Park because mom didn’t take my sister Katie there very often. Mom says that’s because she didn’t discover it until Katie was pretty old, and it’s very hilly.

It got pretty windy, even in the woods.

I don’t think my sister will mind that this one is named after me. We still call her parks Katie’s Park and Katie’s Park II. I wish she and I had been able to walk in our parks together.

Mom and I worked on my “STAY!” I aced it of course.

Anyway, after a long walk in my park I decided a nap in my dad’s lap was just the ticket. Lucky for me my dad obliged.

Dreaming about my next adventure.

Talk later, your substitute hostess, Pretty Penny, park explorer extraordinaire.


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All grown up

Mom says she posted one of my baby pictures yesterday. She says it was from my very first day home, when I was a tiny little thing. Yesterday was my gotcha day, I’ve lived here three whole years now!

I needed a nap once I came home, it was all so overwhelming.

I sure remember that first winter. There was so much snow! Of course I was a lot shorter than. My Auntie Beth and my folks made a snowman for me.

I thought snow was meant to be played in, not posed in. Sheesh.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to sit next to it. And I didn’t know about getting treats for posing yet. But eventually I sat…for an instant…so mom could get a picture.

What is this ‘sit’ of which you speak?

This year there’s a lot of snow too, and guess what? Mom made a snowman for me yesterday! She said we had to act fast, though, cause it was so warm the snowman’s nose and eyes kept falling out while I was posing!

Whatever, mom. The treats better be good, this snow is cold!

Now days I know all about the treat system so I had no problem sitting in the snow for a little while, knowing there was something good coming my way as soon as mom was done.

Last chance, mom, this snow=boy is a melting!

I’m a lot bigger now…but mom made this snowman bigger too. That’s ok, the sun has already shrunk that ole snowman down to size!

Talk later,

Your snow-queen, Penny.


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Hey! Does anyone remember ME?

I think it’s been about a thousand weeks in dog years since you’ve seen anything written by me! Mom keeps saying the world is bigger than me. But seriously. Does anyone believe that?

Hanging out with my dad

Anyway I thought I’d bring you up to date on what I’ve been doing. Which is pretty much always the same. Beg for supper beginning at 3:00 p.m. (sooner if I think my parents aren’t wearing watches).

Just checking on the time, dad.

Continue to beg until Mom gives in at 3:50.

Isn’t it time yet, mom?

Ask to go out. Eat snow instead of doing my job. Ask to go in.

Over there looks interesting.

Ask to go out to inspect my yard. Or bark at the neighbors. Whichever comes first.

Initiating my early morning alarm in case anyone isn’t up yet.

Sometimes I ask to go out very early in the morning. Sometimes mom is glad because she would have missed the sunrise.

I told you mom!

Mostly she is not glad. Did I mention barking?

Mom calls this her artsy image, titled “Dog in Snow.”

She also has been taking me to school. She seems to need the stimulation and mind expanding exercise. I go along to supervise.

I got extra treats to sit on this little stool that matched my leash.

We took a short little class where I got lots of treats. I liked the treats part.

I can do this, mom, if you just stay out of the way.

We are back to doing Rally classes now that the holidays are over. Mom forgot to go the first week. She turned into a slacker without a schedule while we were out of school.

Don’t forget the sit at the end, mom!

While we were there mom noticed the pretty photo opportunity, left from the last trial the week before. I wasn’t entered because mom says we are not ready.

It’s a winter wonderland! Just like our backyard!

I don’t know, mom, when are we going to be ready? I ask to go down to my basement every day and sometimes we do, just to practice our obedience. And get treats.

This one is easy, mom, just don’t turn too close to the cone. Leave room for me!

Mom says sometimes she thinks we’re ready and then I do something silly and she rethinks. There’s another trial in March. She thinks maybe she should try again.

I think I’ve got it mom. You just have to trust me.

But…will I be willing to work without treats in the ring? Mom’s been working on that…but she says I’m not reliable yet. Geeze mom, I’m only 3. Have you ever met a reliable 3 year old anything?

I get extra points for cuteness.

Other than school we’ve been playing in the snow. It snows all the time. The snow banks are bigger than me! Even the snow in my back yard is up to my shoulders.

Gonna need a wider trail.

I told mom I wasn’t going to run around and chase snowballs when the snow was that deep. Other dogs’ parents dig them a trail in the backyard to run around on. I suggested that to my mom. She looked at me and then we went inside.

Come on, mom!

I guess that’s not happening.

So let’s see…school….snow….supper. Yep, those are the three most important things going on in my life right now. The 3 S’s.

And naps. Sleep, starting with S of course, is important!

I hope you are all enjoying your winter. Mom says we could do with some sunshine so I reminded her of this day when the sun came out. She had forgotten. Sometimes the sun comes out here.

I remember there was this one day when the sun came out…

Hey! That’s another important S!

Talk later,

Your snow-girl, supper-hog and super all around ray of sunshine, Penny.

Ready for our next adventure, mom!


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Numbering

This morning I’m numbering the measures of the music we’re playing at our next concert. Which happens to be Friday, March 13th in case you need to put it in your calendar.

It’s our dinner fundraiser, where you pay to attend but we give you food and a silent auction in addition to a full concert. As soon as tickets are available I’ll let you know. Last year (our first) we sold out, so don’t delay!

It’s all fun music.

For your listening pleasure this year we’ll be doing show tunes. And that’s why numbering measures is giving me fits. Because as I’m counting along my mind starts to wander into the music. Then I start to hum and then I tend to mis-number the measures which defeats the whole purpose.

The first two pieces, Les Mis and Grease each had 216 measures! What are the odds of that?

I completed about half the music this morning, until my eyes were going bad and I was secretly glad when a certain fuzzy short member of the family poked me in the leg asking to go outside.

I might need a haircut too, mom. But only after I go outside, OK?

Good timing, my girl. Good timing.