Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers

Some days it just doesn't pay to get things on the cheap. Let me tell you the story of how "Biggie" the dog AKA (Also Known As) "Pepper" came to live with us and has driven us to the edge of bankruptcy.

We were up at the ranch in Lockwood and we were just checking in with our neighbor Todd (AKA "Todd the Ripper") when he invited us to go glean a few chili peppers and onions from the already harvested fields that he managed.
As we headed out to the fields another friend of Todd's joined us as he too wanted some fresh produce and oh-by-the-way he had a dog he wanted to return to Todd.
It seems that this 7 month old Queensland Heeler had participated in the massacre of a chicken and the family just couldn't bear the thought of having a vicious animal in their house. Well, the momma took one look at the savage beast and decided there and then that she was going to rescue this animal from certain poverty and filth.

Ok, she was cute and cuddly and for those of you old enough to remember so was Eddie Haskel!!!

So we shove this lug into the truck and shovel some food in front of her which she consumes in a violent frenzy and off we go across the state to our home in So Cal. First the dog is HUGE and second she eats EVERYTHING! shoes, rugs,trees, wires, toys, dirt and on occasion food. Alas the momma still holds out hope that the beast can be tamed and embarks on a regimen of walking her every night and trying to keep her away from our natural born children AKA "Pookus and Grumbles" as she will eat their food and then eat them if they ever close their eyes.

This goes on for a month or so and to be honest we do the right thing we get the animal spayed, get her her shots and buy a expensive harness to gently walk her about but still the beast lurks within. Pepper as she is now known is easy to track because she sheds a carpet of hair fibers EVERYWHERE! we are all sneezing and wheezing with allergies to this long hair but the momma still hangs on letting her in in the morning to chat with her as she gets ready to go to work sometimes leaving her un-attended, in the house, as she goes about her business. Meanwhile "Biggie" is sizing up her prey and as the opportunity avails itself she strikes. First it was a plant or two then it was the insulation on the AC unit, then the door mat and my old pair of slippers but the real kicker came when she devoured the momma's FIFTY dollar pair of sandals.

Ok so now lets see we got the vet bill, the food bill, the replacement of plants, shoes and did I mention she ate the leash and harness?

As for now, the momma is reading the Dog Whisperers book on animal training to see if there is any hope for a stay of execution. Meanwhile I found the number for the local SPCA and the ad for Craigslist has already been written.

To Be Continued........