Farewell To A True and Faithful Companion

Pippin in June 2016

Pippin covered with snow flakes after being out.

Sadly our dear dog, Pippin, died today. She was also known, to Bev anyway, as Puppy, Pippypoo or Poopy. Although it is a sad time when a dear friend dies, we will always have fond memories. Pippin came to our family as a puppy in October of 2001. At the same time we got a kitten that we named Lady Arwen.

What's in a name? Since her teenage years all of Bev's pets have been named after a character from the book, Lord of the Rings. First, there was a beautiful orange male cat named Mr. Bilbo Baggins. Then came Gandalf who lived to be 20 years old. Pippin and Lady Arwen were born during the same week and joined our family next. Lady Arwen lived for 4 ears before becoming ill and dying. Gimli was the next to join our family 5 years ago; so Pippin had to learn to deal with another cat.

I will always remember how Arwen would wash Pippin's face each day. She was a real caretaker of the dog and her grooming. Pippin just loved it.

Pippin watching over Gimli as a kitten

Pippin and Gimli were great friends. Their play fights were epic and many time hilarious. But they knew when to stop when one of them had had enough. For many years they were the dinnertime entertainment. Although Gimli was never much for rubbing around human legs, he would often rub around Pippin or bump his head into her while hoping for a treat from the dinner table.

Pippin was a gentle soul but she had a "chicken" side to her as well. Thunder and fireworks would do her in and there were many nights when she would be shaking with fear, hiding under beds, couches and our legs.

She was part Border Collie and Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog) both of which are herding breeds. Pippin loved to herd Arwen. One day, I remember looking out to the back yard to see Pippin with Arwen's tail in her mouth trying to pull Arwen in the direction she wanted Arwen to go.

Pippin was one of the most gentle and passive dogs you could ever meet. She would never growl in anger, even if you tried to take food away from her. When she encountered another dog, after the obligatory "sniffing of the bums", she would usually be very submissive, especially if the other dog showed any sign of dominance.

 Following photos taken by Aaron

But Pippin was the ruler of the backyard and would not tolerate any intruding squirrels or rabbits to linger there. If she saw a squirrel on the lawn, she would either charge headlong at it at breakneck speed, perhaps believing that the squirrel would not have time to escape (which they always did), or start off stealthily for a few steps before charging. She never did figure out how to quietly stalk her quarry until she was within pouncing distance, although that would not have succeeded either.

But one unlucky rabbit, despite having four rabbit's feet, was Pippin's sole backyard capture. Although the rabbit took off and zig-zagged as rabbits do, Pippin caught it. We ran out to rescue the rabbit, but when we got it away from Pippin, it was either dead from injuries sustained or the fright of being caught.

They knew they were not allowed out but they could always look out.
This is from the basement door.

Pippin was a large part of our family and she started with us on our Canadian journey.

The day we left Newmarket, Ontario in May 2016

Her perch in the car while travelling

Peering out of the camper

In her new home in Paradise, NL

Farewell good friend. You will be missed.