Pets and Peeps: PJ the Schnauzer

The people: Wynn and Lynne Teale of the Clairemont-Great Lakes neighborhood in Decatur.

Pet's name, nicknames, breed, and age: Phoebe Jayne Teale. PJ.  Schnauzer.  5 years old.

How I met my pet: We met her as an 8-week-old puppy in America Forks, south of Salt Lake City.  At the time we were living and traveling full-time in a motor home.  We had been without a dog for about five years and had considered getting another dog.  The schnauzer breed was on our list because they do not shed.  The breeder had two adorable square puppies, Lynne would not put PJ down or let anyone else see her. I knew that we'd bought a dog.

I love it when my pet does this: PJ has always been a looky-lu. She will sit on Lynne's lap and look out the motor home or car window for hours.  When she finally tires and lies down, all I have to do is say "look" and she jumps back up to see what she has missed.  I also love the way she keeps track of our 2-year-old grandson Henry and most of all the way she knows to be gentle when playing with him. 

I wish my pet would stop doing this: Being a small dog, she is driven to jump up on people to welcome them in our home.  Although she calms down in two minutes, the immediate welcome is a bit too enthusiastic. 

What my pet eats: PJ eats her food whenever she is in the mood.  We put her ration in her bowl each morning and she will eat some time during the day or evening.  If we forget she will bring her porcelain bowl to us and drop it on the floor, but then will not necessarily eat right after we fill it.  It just has to be there. 

What people say about my pet: Most people think that she is cute or good looking but she is generally misunderstood.  When we walk through the neighborhood and she decides to talk to some people, (We have not been able to figure out why she chooses who she chooses)  her talking sounds more like a combination bark/growl so it is misunderstood. If people talk back to her she will continue the conversation and it becomes clear that she is talking to them rather than just barking.  People who go to the Children’s Park at the First Christian Church know her as the dog in the stroller.  When we go to the park with our Grandson he gets out of the stroller and she gets in.

Most exciting moment with my pet: When we went to the Grand Canyon we stopped at the first parking lot which had a viewing point and walked up to the edge of the canyon.  There is a short stone wall separating the walk from the edge and since she loves walking on walls and curbs, she jumped up.  Immediately she dropped to her belly and got back down, and then she sheepishly stood up to look over the wall again.  She did not expect the big hole on the other side and we realized the she did indeed have a good sense of depth perception.

How my pet has enriched my life: PJ only has good moods. Her playful mood is the best.  A grey streak goes flying around with a toy. Often wanting a playmate, she hits our hands with a rope or scratches our hand to play tug of war.  When she was 2 1/2 years old, a baby, Henry, came into her life.  Never being interested in children, that was a big change, she is very adaptable.  So I guess she always sets a good example for us to follow.

If my pet could talk she would say: But she does talk!  We just cannot always understand what she is saying.

Patch would like to know about your dog, cat, snake, lizard, monkey, llama -- whatever kind of pet you have. If you're interested in being profiled in Pets and Peeps, email Ralph.Ellis@Patch.com.

You can also read other Decatur Patch pet stories at the Pets Topic Page.