Pepper is the scapegoat around here. The scape-pup when things go wrong. Within the boundaries of our property line, of course. Farmer H complains that he drags big sticks and branches into the yard and on the porch. There are several empty water bottles and a plastic jug. I don't know where Pepper could have gotten them, unless it was out of Farmer H's Gator, or they were left by one of his buddies doing stuff around the burn pile.
Anyhoo... Pepper is also unkind to Jack. Jack is old now. And carrying a couple extra pounds on his half-long body. He is reluctant to run up the steps to the porch when Pepper is at the top. It's like Pepper plays a perpetual game of "King of the Porch." He meets Jack halfway, and tussles with him so he can't come up. Pepper is always scolded for this when I'm around, and he stops.
Friday night was supposed to be really cold. Below freezing cold. I told Farmer H to put some more shavings in the insulated doghouse by the kitchen door, formerly the lair of my Sweet, Sweet Juno. He's never cleaned out the old shavings, and she's been gone several years now. He had a bag on the back porch from when we first got puppy Pepper. So he put more shavings in the house.
Farmer H says both dogs sleep in that house sometimes. He's seen them coming out of it in the mornings as he leaves. They were playing on the porch by the kitchen as I was scratching my losers tickets. Pepper had been especially hyper that afternoon, tossing his favorite toy and pouncing on it. Which at least kept him from bossing Jack around.
The toy-frolicking stopped. I couldn't see either dog, but I heard Pepper barking. He does that a lot. But now I also head Jack. Growling! I hollered through the door a couple times for Pepper to STOP. "NO! Pepper!" It worked for a few moments. Then again. The barking and growling.
This raised my ire. How dare Pepper be mean to my little Jack. I imagined that he was trying to keep Jack out of the doghouse. Maybe herding him away, like he tries to keep him from the water bowl sometimes. I opened the door and both dogs came to the crack, hoping for a surprise treat.
"Pepper! You leave Jack alone! Come here, Jack. You're my favorite. What's the matter, buddy? Is Pepper being mean to you again? You're a good boy. Yeah. Pepper! I'm not petting you. Stop being a bully."
Yes. My irritation got the best of me. I lapsed into Farmer H mode, lecturing Pepper as if he had a command of English. Pepper looked puzzled. Kept coming over for a pet or kind word, and got neither. I almost felt bad, but then again, Pepper bullies Jack a lot. And right in front of me! I told them no treats, closed the door. The same ruckus started again as I was getting Farmer H's supper.
I crept to the door and flipped the built-in mini-shades to look out.
Jack was inside the doghouse, nestled right in front of the entrance, growling at Pepper. Who was standing, wanting to go inside. Then Pepper looked up and around, at the roof of the doghouse, and the outer wall of the house alongside it. He took a couple steps and saw that he could fit in that crack. Then turned and saw me in the door window. Then Jack noticed. We all locked eyes.
I felt really bad. Jack seems to be able to fend for himself. And pull the wool over my eyes.
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