Terrapin - The Queen of the House

This is Terrapin. She's my female Boxer. We've had her for around 11 years now - maybe even 12. She was the runt of her litter, so she's small for a female Boxer. She only weighs around 40 pounds. Because she was the runt, she has LOTS of extra skin. It's like she's wearing someone else's coat! She is the softest dog you'll ever touch. She's like one of those extra soft teddy bears. Her coat is brindle... she looks like a tiger.

We named her Terrapin after the Grateful Dead's song, "Terrapin Station." It was only after we'd named her that someone pointed out that a terrapin is a large land turtle, and that her coat also looked like a turtle shell. Either way, her name fits her perfectly. We call her everything BUT Terrapin though... We call her "Turtle-girl," "Terra," "Turtle-pin" pretty much whatever goofiness comes to mind. She is a MAJOR cuddler. She loves to be in bed with us, and LOVES to sit next to you in your chair or on the couch. Of all of our dogs, SHE is the most protective and territorial of them all. She can be incredibly aggressive. On the other hand, she is the most gentle dog I know. She LOVES kids - especially babies. Once, my niece was at our home with her baby Gracie. Well, Gracie had fallen asleep on her back, so we left her to nap. When we came back in the room, Terrapin had scooted up to Gracie, put a paw under her head, and under her knees, and was asleep with her head resting on Gracies tummy. She'd make a good Mom... but she's never had the chance... so she mothers everyone else - as you can see in the picture where she's got her arm around my daughter's dog - MY Grandpuppy - Zim (named after Invader Zim).

Like I said, she's a blanket ho, and HAS to sleep UNDER our covers. She puts us all to shame in snoring. I've never heard a dog rumble away like she does. And we wouldn't have it any other way. We laugh and say that she used to be a Jewish grandma in another life... Why? Well, she has terminal guilt. If ANYTHING goes wrong in the house, she ducks her head and acts as though she did it... even if she didn't! She makes us laugh. I hope she has a few good years left in her.

This is me... Take it leave it.