Goodbye Pippin

From left to right; Shelly, Mikey and Pippin.

Shelly, 8 years old, (Pekinese/ Japanese spaniel cross) nutty, affectionate and clingy.  She yodels like a basenji when she gets excited, which is most evenings just before tea.  Tries to bury dog biscuits in bare corners of the room or under cushions.  Has wrecked the cat-flap door by going out it too fast.  Loves to tear newspapers to shreds.  Will eat any food if you offer it with 'yum yum' noises and then threaten to take it away from her. Even raw onions.  Life is never dull around Shelly.  

Mikey, now buried under the lemon tree.  The polite old grey man with a quiet voice who always waited until you have finished talking before he commented, and wouldn't dream of jumping on your lap unless invited, but always very appreciative if you did.   We miss him. 

The kids found Pippin as a kitten close to death up a tree in the park, and he ate enormously and with enthusiasm from then on.  People commented on his enormous size and the huge size of the rats he caught.  He disappeared two days before we went on our recent trip to the South Island.  Had been taught to say "Mama" by my son who has just finished a degree in animal behaviour.   Loved to hide in plastic bags, and was sometimes seen licking Shelly like a mother licks her kittens.  Chased string and sticks like a kitten.  Socially a little backward. Hung around the fridge.  Today I bumped into a neighbour who said his body was left under our letterbox while we were away.  Must have been run over.  Thanks to the person who buried him.  At least we know he won't be coming back, and can feel our sadness properly.    

All three dear to our hearts and part of the family.