Q & A with Pippin
Q. Are you a real dog or a stock photo?
A. I am a real black lab mix! Though I have the puppy girl spirit in me, I am 12 years old in human years.
Q. How old are you in doggie years?
A. What! you want me to do math! Lets see, the first year of a dog's life is equal to 15 years. The second year is equal to 9 years. Each year after that is 4 to 5 years.
1st year = 15 + 2nd year = 9 + 10 years times the average of 4.5= 45
Total of 69 + years old.
Q. Were you born in the winter?
A. Yes, I was born in February near Valentine Days.
Q. Do you have any brothers?
A. Before I came to live at my forever home with the Yarbroughs, I lived with my brother, Buddy, just down the street. Buddy and I grew up playing together as my boy, Aiden, and Buddy’s boy, Reuben, have been friends for over 15 years now. I am sad to say that Buddy passed away this year. I am still strong and kicking!
Q. Is Sunny Hills Farm a real place?
A. Sunny Hills Farm is a creation of my owner and author. However our home is situated in a neighborhood, Browne’s Ferry, that was farmland before the houses were built. When we take walks we do have to go up and down several hills and the cul-de-sac we live in is where the farmhouse use to be.
Q. Do you eat popcorn and carrots?
A. Yes indeed! However, I insist that the popcorn is buttered and salted. If a stray piece of plain popcorn falls on the floor I will politely refuse to eat it. I also eat tuna fish and a couple of scoops of Limited Ingredient Diet kibble every day. Hint, hint LID. I am always available for modeling.
Q. Do you really love a girl with two braids?
A. The little girl in the book has grown up into a mom with short brown hair. I love her like Pippin in the book loves the little girl. I greet her every morning for a snuggle and we take walks through the neighborhood almost every day. I have been nickednamed her shadow since I can always be found at her side.
This is me when I was still a young pup! Summer had surgery and she needed some encouragement!
Q. Who were your favorite kids when you were a puppy?
A. When I came to live at Browne’s Ferry Aiden was 12 and Liam was 9. Both of them loved me and I was a big part of their day since they were homeschooled. Even though Liam was younger, he spent lots of time with me to help me learn to not nibble with my puppy teeth and how to do tricks.
Q. Did you live with any of your siblings?
A. I have an adopted sister named Merry. She is a mixed-breed lab too. Her mom was a yellow lab so we look very different from each other. Merry lived with us for her first 7 years but she now lives with Summer’s godchildren right down the street. She comes over to visit all the time.