PIPER THE PUP'S PAGE!!!
This
page
created 11/06/2013 Updated: 11/02/2024
I created this page so that folks from Piper's previous home can
see how she's doing.
So far...she's doing ok. Everything on this page-- including
drawings,photos, video clips,text ©2013-2022 Richard Dashnau
Go back to my home page, Welcome to rickubis.com
Go back to
the RICKUBISCAM
page.
On
November
2nd, 2021, Piper has been with me for 8 years. I hope the
images and video clips on this will show the people that
fostered
Piper, and allowed me to adopt her (and they
got her from BARC) that Piper is happy and healthy. I
know they were sincerely concerned for her well-being.
I cannot believe that someone turned this wonderful dog in to
BARC in the first place (on 09/13/2013 at "approximately 1 yr
old"), but it all turned out well.
She's with me,
now.
update
11/02/2024 11
years ago, I brought Piper home to live with
me. She was about a year old at the time.
She's been great. Here's a few pictures from
this year (one from today);
compared with one from the day I brought her
home. It's been posted before(on her first
day home), but it's here for comparison.
11/02/2013
10/23/2024
11/02/2024
06/19/2024
I'm a bit
overdue for sharing some about Piper. She's been with me
almost 11 years (and she's about 12 years old).
So here's a few quick looks at her. We walk 2 miles in the
morning at least 5 times a week. After the walk, we'll sit
on the steps for a while so Piper can look out over
things, and get all the sounds and smells. I have some
video showing her walking (not too bad for an old dog),
and us together on the step on 6/12/2024,
linked here.
While
we're relaxing at home, and if I'm busy
doing something (like working on these
web pages), Piper get her ball and come
ask me to play. I have to go lie down
and toss it for her, but sometimes when
I move, she runs over to chew on her
bone--as if Piper just wanted to verify
that she could still get my attention.
But other
times, we become her ball-throwing
device. Piper's vision is
degrading with age, so I try to toss the
ball where she can see it through her
remaining vision field.
This short video
shows a little of the tossing game from
06/15/2024.
So, just a quick update to show that
Piper is still happy.
04/14/2021
While walking Piper this
morning, another Armadillo (Dasypus
novemcinctus) ran across the road in front of us. It
crossed 2 lanes, a median, and 2 more lanes before
crossing the sidewalk on our side of the street. Then it took
cover behind a hedge and moved toward us. It either heard Piper's
tags, or me telling her to behave (though I tried to
be quiet) or smelled us--but it tried to get through the wall near us.
It had to pass us, and then moved away. I thought that was
the end of it. A car passing on the other side of the
street made a U-turn and came to talk to me. We'd started talking about
the armadillo when I noticed that it was crossing the road again!
I uttered an expletive (sorry to the driver
for that) and looked further down the street. The
streetlight down there had just turned green, and it looked like at
least 5 cars were heading our way--and they drive fast on this street.
I decided to run after the armadillo and chase it across the
other lane before the cars got there. So I did. I had my phone out and
have shot video of the armadillo near the hedge, but
I didn't film my chase. I had to keep track of oncoming
traffic, my location, Piper on her leash, and the armadillo--so adding
"manipulating phone to shoot video" to my list of tasks was
not a good idea. We all crossed safely, and I crossed back
and continued home. I hope the armadillo remained safe. The images
below are frames from the video clip,
which can be seen here.
03/06/2021(sunrise) I
was taking my dog Piper for our 2-mile walk at sunrise. I was surprised when a herd of Peafowl
(Peacocks(males) and Peahens(females)) appeared on one of the
side streets. (I'm going with "herd" instead of "flock" because they
weren't flying. If that's not correct...oh, well.) And, actually,
a group of Peacocks (Peafowl) is known as an "ostentation".
That would be appropriate as this group strutted out. I held Piper
back, and stopped to watch the procession. I thought that they just pass
by. They did not. They walked towards us!
They're watching us.
They
passed by like a parade! Then
they watched Piper and I like we
were a parade. Piper
was amazed.
NOW what should I do? I figured that a group of birds would
approach a human and
a dog either to challenge them (maybe a feisty
dominant male); or because they thought I had food.
I watched for signs of aggression, and when I didn't see any, I spoke
softly to the birds (after a quiet command to Piper to stay)--so they'd
recognize me as a human. I didn't want to
upset them for many reasons. I didn't want to trigger any
aggression...but I also didn't want them to run into the main road
behind me. The group (I'm not going to type "ostentation"
repeatedly. Maybe I'll go with "muster"). finally did start poking
around the plants, so I continued past them. When I got to the
next curb I stopped to watch them again--and they
started following me. This would have been unfortunate. I
had no idea where the birds belonged, so I couldn't walk them home. I
didn't want them to follow me down the main road, either.
I spoke to them again, and told them I didn't have any "peacock food"
(HA HA HA). Then I stood still again. The birds finally lost
interest, and wandered back towards their street.
I think there were two kinds of Peafowl here. I think there were
Blue ("Indian" (Pavo cristatus)) and Green ("Java"(Pavo muticus))
with me this morning. By searching the internet, I
found that both species of Peafowl are in the same family as Pheasants
(Phasianadae). When at home in their usual habitat, both species
are generalist omnivores, and will eat fruits, seeds,
insects, small reptiles, plants--or apparently anything that they can
find or catch. I also read that those that have been made pets (as my
visitors must have been) will eat various varieties
of pet food. n I continued my walk with Piper. It was an
interesting change to our usually quiet walk. I took a few photos and
short video clips--holding the phone while walking a dog
is unnecessary distraction. The video(mp4) is at this link.
Oh,
great. Now they're following us.
I just wanted them off the road.
Piper and the birds eyeballing each
other.
The Peafowl finally understood I had no food.
09/29/2020
While
working at the computer, I turned around and saw Piper. She was
staring at the ball with such yearning, I had to stop what I was
doing to play
with her right then. I usually play with her anyway; but I
couldn't resist that look. I decided to film her reaction to me
giving in. The
video is here.
08/23/2020 One
day
I was looking in the fridge, when I noticed Piper peeking through
the gap in the hinge. She was sneaking a peek to see what I
was
looking for--instead of just coming over next to me and looking in
with me. This is probably because I don't ask her to get out
from back there, like I
do when I want to close the door. I decided to try to catch it
camera so I could see what she does. It was cuter than I imagined.
The
video is here.
08/18/2020 If
Piper
had her way, I'd be tossing the ball for her every hour. If I'm
working at my desktop, she'll sometimes come by and ask for
attention.
This is just one of those times...I actually get this look pretty
often. Who could refuse a request from this face? I couldn't this
time, and
video is here.
05/15/2020 While
walking
with Piper this morning, I noticed an armadillo walking towards me
about 50 yards away. I got out my cellphone and started shooting
video. I was surprised to
find that there were actually TWO armadillos. Piper and I
watched as they moved towards us. Then, one of them turned and
moved towards Piper! I'm sure this was coincidental, since I
believe that the armadillos didn't know we were there. I
tried to keep the leash tight as the armadillo moved a bit closer.
I don't know if Piper or the armadillo moved first, but in any
case
it turned an ran. After a brief pause, the other one
followed. The video is here.
Armadillos (Dasypus
novemcinctus) are described as generally "crepuscular and
nocturnal" while feeding
( The Armadillo:Its Relation to Agriculture and Game, 1944, E.R.
Kalmbach; page 15), though they can be observed through the day.
In fact, I've got examples of that on my pages here.
Today's observation was at 6:40 AM, with high humidity and heavy
cloud cover.
05/02/2019 On
5/2/19 I was
walking with Piper along one of our streets when I noticed that
there were "excavations" in some of the
cultivated areas in some of the yards along the street. I wondered
a bit about them, since it was pretty intensive in some spots--was
it Feral Hogs? --was
it Armadillos? On our way back, I had an answer. A
group of armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) were foraging in the
leaves. Armadillos don't see very
well, and with the road noise covering any sounds Piper or I were
making, we didn't disturb them. I stopped Piper and we
watched the Armadillos...and they
continued getting closer to us. I had to hold on to Pipers leash
and pull her back a bit. Piper was very interested, and it
appeared that she didn't know what
these creatures were. I bet that she's smelled traces of
armadillos all along-but she'd never met one. I don't normally
handle my phone while I'm walking
Piper (walking your dog requires all your attention) but I had to
catch some of this. So, I shot some video. The images below are
from this video clip. I
stopped filming to put the phone away so I could maintain full
control of Piper. And...we left the armadillos alone.
09/30/2017
Piper likes to
figure things out, so sometimes I give her a puzzle.
This was relatively easy, but it's still fun.
Pic below, frame grab from this video
clip.
12/07/2016
Piper has
decided that a toy helicopter should be investigated, so,
here she is while one is flying around. Click here to see
the
resulting video (wmv format); made from a couple clips
edited together. The image below left is a frame-grab from
the video, showing her staring down the
helicopter. Note that Piper approaches the
toy...I'm not chasing her with it. Also, when I do
move it towards Piper, I fly it slowly towards her and
away from her.
I didn't want to threaten her, and I didn't want her to
chase it like prey and knock it down.
09/23/2016
Piper has
decided that even if I'm lying down stretching my back, I
should be able to toss her a ball. So she rolls the ball on
the end table so I can reach
it. I grab it, and toss it. Piper sometimes gets
acrobatic (aerobatic?) when she goes for the ball. So, I
decided to shoot some high-speed video of her in the air.
The
image above right is a frame-grab from one of the
clips. Click here to see the resulting video
(wmv format).; made from a number of tosses edited
together.
03/26/2016 Piper
makes
up new games, and new ways to communicate with me. If
nudging the ball with her nose doesn't get my attention,
Piper would try standing
on my chest, or pushing the ball in my face.
Somehow, she's decided to try to pull one of the
coverings off my "couch" as an alternative way to get my
attention. She's
quite insistent. In the video, I am looking away
from her, but pointing the camera at her. When I ignore her,
and don't see her push the ball, she starts pulling on the
covering. Usually she stops when I turn to look at her, and
starts when I look away. Image is below left. Click
here to see the
video (wmv format).
03/19/2016
and 03/26/2016 Piper
at the dog park again, over 2 years since she's been my dog.
(image above right)
Click here to see the
video (wmv format).
07/28/2015 Piper
sometimes
naps, as dogs do, while I'm doing things at home. But when
she wakes up, she comes over to see me. She seems so happy
that I'm there.
This clip show one of those times, but this time I met her
halfway. She likes to sleep under that table, and scoots out
on her belly.
Click here to see the
video (wmv format).
07/01/2015 Well...it's
been
a while since I've done any updates here! But, Piper
is still fine, and she's been great. So, here's a
short video clip showing
a minute and a half (that should be 90 seconds worth) of
Piper and I wrestling over a tennis ball(image from the
video above right). I think she lies on me to
stop me from escaping with the ball. Click here to see
the video (wmv format).
10/19/2014 (Image Below,
Left) Another
day at Danny Jackson. Piper ran, and I
filmed her at 210 frames per second. The link to the
video is here: wmv
format
10/04/2014 (Image Below,
Left)
I was on the inversion rack, when Piper decided to help. The link
to the video is here: wmv
format
(Image Below,
Right) Earlier
in the day, Piper ran at the dog park, and I filmed her at 210
frames per second. I love watching her run!
The image is a framegrab from the video. The link to the
video is here: mp4
format
09/27/2014 (Image Below,
Left)
Image from a video clip showing some quiet time with Piper. Video
clip is here: wmv
format
(Image
Below, Middle)
Piper waiting for a ball. Look at that smile!
09/21/2014 (Image Above,
Right)
Piper chasing and catching a ball, inside, filmed at 120fps.
wmv
format
08/02/2014 (Image Below,
Left)
Piper running by at Danny Jackson Bark Park, filmed at 120fps.
wmv
format
07/28/2014 (Image Above,
Right) When
I
do something Piper likes, she quickly shows she's happy about it.
When Piper is ready to go outside, and I get the harness--she gets
really happy.
And, she helps me put it on--sort of. Here's a short clip showing
the current Harness Ritual. wmv
format
07/02/2014 (Image Below,
Left) Since
some people are still checking up on Piper, here's a short clip of
Piper and
I at home. She really can be a sweet dog, and she wouldn't be
doing these things if she weren't comfortable with me.
I don't think she is
considering stealing my nose. The clip is here: wmv
format
06/20/2014 (Image Above,
Right) I
had to leave town for business. I had to board Piper while I was
gone. I felt bad about this,
since I'm the fourth person (or set of people) that has kept her.
I was concerned that Piper would feel like she was changing
homes again.
So, I picked her up as soon as I could, and I worried that she
would be nervous or uncomfortable when I brought her home. But,
she was fine;
and very happy to be home. This is a picture of her relaxing on
the next evening. She looks happy to me.
06/07/2014 (Image Below,
Left) Today,
I shot High-Speed Video of Piper at Danny Jackson Bark Park. This
time, I shot at 210 Frames per Second, which
I haven't done in a while. Video here. ( wmv
format 15.6mb
06/05/2014 (Image Above,
Right)
More High-Speed Video of Piper chasing the ball inside. This time,
I wanted to experiment with 210 Frames per Second, so I had
to adjust the lighting. Video here. ( wmv
format 18.6mb
04/27/2014 (Below, Left) Piper really
likes to chase her ball--when we are home. In fact, she can
get quite insistant about playtime-dropping the ball in my shoe...
...while I'm trying to put the shoe on; for instance. At the
dog park, she only chases other dogs. Piper has gotten quite
adept at snatching the ball out of the air.
I don't have the camera on her then, but I tried for a few video
clips shot at 120 frames per second for these. Video here. (
wmv format
9.2mb
Out
for a walk 06/04/14
03/03/2014 (Above, Right) Piper and I are
in a new home. She was a complete angel during the move. Here,
we've been in the new place for a few days. She
already acts like she's home. I took time out from unpacking to
play ball with her. Video here. wmv
format 3.9mb
01/24/2014 (Below, Left) There are always
socks that lose their partners. Piper does this with them.
Video here. wmv
format 8.7mb
01/21/2014 (Above, Right) Piper on the
stairs watching me sound like a doofus. Video here. (wmv
format 3.4mb
01/18/2014 (Below, Left)
Piper in a mellower mood. Video here. wmv
format 7.2mb
12/25/2013
(Above, Right)A Christmas message with Piper! Well, sort of....
Video here. ( wmv
format 3.8mb
12/24/2013 Piper enjoying her chest scratch. (below
left)
12/14/2013 Just a shot of Piper with a ball. (above
right)
12/03/2013 And, a short clip
of Piper inaction. (below left) The video clips
are here :(
wmv
format 4.7mb )
A video clip of
Piper chasing a ball--shot in slow motion with my phone. (below
right) The
video clips are here :(
wmv
format 3.3mb )
11/29/2013 I've been bringing Piper to the dog park
as often as I can. With the extra time off for the holiday, and
pretty nice weather, I've been able to bring her for the last few
days. Piper
LOVES to run, but she mostly likes to run with other dogs. She
doesn't seem to mind if she chases them,
or if they chase her--as
long
as she's running. The last few times we've gone have
been great. She's found larger dogs to chase, or to
run with. Today, I got some pretty good video clips of Piper
running, filmed at 120 frames per second, and 240 frames per
second
(with a Canon SX260 "pocket" camera). I've put them into a
5-minute video clip. The image below left is a frame grab from one
of the video clips.
The video clips are here :(
wmv
format 42.2mb )
11/27/2013 Piper is still settling in, but is still
quite a puppy. Sometimes she'll join me on the couch while I
relax...and sometimes she relaxes too--for about 2 minutes. The
image below left is a frame
grab from a video clip that illustrates this: ( wmv
format 11.4mb ) I'm uploading this on
Thanksgiving...and I'm lucky that I've have Piper today.
11/18/2013 One of
the best things about having a dog is the daily greeting at the
end of the workday. Piper spends the day in a calm manner (at
least she's calm when I check on her), but when I get
home she's happy to see me. And...the feelings are mutual. Here's
an example of the evening greeting. It's a little defused because
I had to pause a bit to set up the camera. The image above
right
is a frame grab from one of the clips in this edited video: ( wmv
format 10.2mb )
11/16/2013 Saturday
morning,
and Piper brought one of her toy ropes to me while I was moving
some things around. Time for a puppy break! So, here is a short
clip of a short game of fetch\pull the
rope.The image below left is a frame grab from one of the clips in
this edited video:
( wmv
format 8.7mb )
11/07/2013 Piper and
I are learning how to communicate with each other, and how we fit
together. While exploring under the furniture, Piper found a
tennis ball. She brought it to me, and obviously
wanted me to toss it. So, she not only understands the game of
"fetch the ball", but she asks me to play it with her. She came to
my house with a toy duck of her own, and she would toss that
around, and
sometimes chase it if I threw it. But she likes a short game
of "fetch the ball" now and then. The image above right is a
frame grab from one of the clips in this edited video: ( wmv
format 12.2mb )
11/03/2013 So, The
next worry was how Piper would be on her first night in a new
place. At about 5am this morning, Piper woke me up with gentle
licks on my face and nose. We immediately went out,
and she did her business. And then I came in and went back to bed,
and so did she.
Then, on the other
end of the day, after I did my usual items away from home (and
Piper behaved herself--not getting into ANY trouble); we went to
the dog park. The three images below are frame grabs
from some video clips that I shot. I've edited them together
into a single file which can be seen here: ( wmv
format 15.7mb )
11/02/2013 I had lost
my dog to cancer, and I knew that although I was very sad, I was
looking forward to the time when I would meet my new friend-and our joy when we would
find each other. So...I
started looking, with the understanding that years could pass
before the right dog appeared. I hoped it wouldn't be long. Then,
on Craigslist, I saw an ad placed by a couple who loved their dog,
but could
not keep it. They wanted a good home for their pet. I wanted
to make a good home for a good pet. So...we talked. And,
eventually everything worked out and....well, I have a new dog,
and her name is
Piper. So, when
Piper changed hands from her old owners' to mine, I wanted to
attend a special event at Brazos Bend State Park. I didn't
want to leave Piper alone in her new house...we needed to spend
time together. So, I drove out to the park with her. When we got there, David, one of
the rangers saw me with her. My friends all had
known how losing Buddha the pup had affected me. David was taking
pictures of the special event, and he was kind enough
to take a picture of Piper and me. And so, this is the very
first clear picture of Piper and I together. Piper
was just about as perfect as she could be
during the ride both ways and while we stood among the
800 or so folks at the event.
We
eventually made it home, and first shot this picture (middle
picture). If I hadn't already fallen for the little
pup...THAT look would have done for me. But Piper had already won
me over, anyway.
Then I filmed a little
introduction to Piper, and how she acted on her first evening
home. The image above right is a frame grab from this video. (wmv
format 6.1mb)
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