Missy and Piper

A couple of days a week, we welcome Piper to the Alden home.  Piper is a sweetheart and we love having her spend her day with us. It's been so much fun to see her and Missy get to know each other and become friends. This sweet gal has quickly endeared herself to us.

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As bratty as Missy can sometimes be 2, I thought she would be a little put off by having another dog in the house all day. This has not been the case at all. Despite Missy always having to know where Piper is at all times - she has been a gracious host. 

Our Piper days usually start with us all going for a walk together.  It was a bit tricky at first, getting used to walking two dogs, but we (I) figured it out and we now have a good rhythm and do quite well.

Piper likes to lead us, so I give her enough leash so she can escort us around the neighborhood. Truth be told, part of the reason I love to let her lead is because she has the sweetest little ears that bounce, bounce, bounce when she trots!  It just cracks me up to see them!  And to see her taking her 'job' so seriously 💓. Piper is super focused on leading her little troop.   

We are often joined by my friend Rose and her dog Brody. Rose is a good friend and Brody is just awesome too! Missy was his first dog friend and they adore each other.  They are all roughly the same size, and all the same temperament, so they have always gotten along great!  When we first meet on the hill, the three of them get updated on the latest news 3, get their ear scratches and then we are off.  Brody is still just young, but Rose has done a great job teaching him to walk on the leash and we all fall into a good flow - all led by Miss Piper.   

Once in a while, we will walk by something and all three of them make a bee-line to smell whatever it is that needs their IMMEDIATE attention.  I wish I knew what they "learn" when they smell so intently like this.  They sometimes need a little coaxing to move it along, but soon we are on our way again and having ourselves a nice walk. 

After about 20 minutes, we say good-bye to Rose and Brody and make our way back home.  Piper lives next door to us, but she knows that when she is out with Missy and I, she is going to be coming back to our house. I let her lead us home, down the driveway, through the garage and right to the door - and she does it with such determination and focus! Piper loves her mom, and misses her when she's gone, but I love that she is comfortable and that she enjoys coming home with us too.  😊

Besides the fact that Missy feels that it is necessary to repeatedly check on Piper, we all settle into a quiet and easy routine.  On the days when I am in the studio, Missy goes into her room and Piper settles under my table and soon falls asleep.  Every 20 minutes or so, Missy will come into the studio to be sure that Piper is not on the receiving end of any belly rubs.  She'll come in the room, look at Piper asleep at my feet and turn around and go back to her room.  Once Missy has determined that the situation is just as it should be, we are good for another 20 minutes or so. 

The first time Piper was with us, and I went to use the bathroom, Piper came into the bathroom with me.  Missy stood there from the doorway looking at her and was all like "Whoa, hold up there Piper! That is not cool. We don't actually go into the room with her - we just stand outside the door and stare at her."  Piper learned real quick and now she stands at the doorway with Missy and they both stare at me. I'm not sure that Piper understands Missy's rule either, but she abides by it. 

When it's not too hot, we all sit outside in the backyard.  They both get settled into their favorite spots and we are good for a while. It's easier for Missy to keep on eye on Piper outside so I think she prefers this arrangement much better too. 

Every once in a while they hear a noise that needs to be investigated in the yard. We are secluded with large evergreens so they actually have to get out in the yard to see anything. But they do, and it's synchronized guard duty.  They both get up - they don't bark - they just go to access the situation to see if barking is required.  It cracks me up how they both go trotting down to the end of the sidewalk like they rule the world, not just our backyard. Piper usually monitors the east side while Missy takes the west side - apparently they have worked out these details earlier.  They stay there until they determine that 1) It was nothing that requires their action, or most likely, 2) There was nothing out there at all to begin with, and they come back. They return strutting back down the sidewalk, acting like they saved me from unspeakable neighborhood horrors. I let them enjoy their victory. It's good to be safe and I do appreciate their dedication and attention on the behalf of my safety.

We spend a great portion of the day going outside. And, we spend a great portion of the day coming inside.  Despite the pitiful look on their faces, please know that they wanted to go outside.  But now, they want to come inside. Piper always stands at the door and Missy stands behind her. I believe that Missy has convinced Piper that she has a better shot of looking neglected and sad then she does, so she places her up front. It works. They are soon back in the house.

When I open the door to let them in, Missy just saunters on by Piper and comes in first.  Piper waits a few seconds and then leaps over the threshold.  She leaps in and she does it with such flourish!  She was outside and that was awesome, and now she is inside and that is awesome too!  This little gal just delights me! 

During all the time that Piper has been spending time with us, there has only been one little incident and Missy had to lay down 'the law'.  Missy will share her home, her mom and dad, her water dish and her walks, but she will not share Lambchop. 

Out of the 347 +/- toys that Missy owns, Lambchop is her very favorite toy. It was given to her by Carol, and Missy thinks Carol hung the moon. I don't believe that Piper was even going to play with Lambchop, she just got near Lambchop and that was all Missy needed to see.  She let Piper know pretty quick that Lambchop is off limits. And Piper is a quick learner, she hasn't gone near Lambchop, or any of her other toys, since. 

I've enjoyed watching Missy and Piper interact and getting to see their different personalities.  It fascinates me how they communicate and how in sync they seem to be with each other.  It's been a great experience and I appreciate Piper's mom, Sheila, for a letting her spend her days with us. 💓

1. Pre-haircut pictures

2. It's true. Bless her heart

3. read: sniffing