PJpupp: We have rats. Lots of them. Rat Terriers that is. AKA Ratties. I swear they keep coming and coming. This time it’s a tiny little Rattie named Legacy.

Rickie Roo: She’s my niece!

Gigi: She’s so cute. She looks just like you did when you were little, Rickie Roo … except maybe not quite as naughty-looking.

PJpupp: She certainly does look like Roo-ster. Did you know that Legacy’s mommy is Rickie Roo’s sister and littermate, Delilah? Littermate means that they were born at the same time and have the same mommy and daddy.

Rickie Roo: Like twins? Am I a twin?

PJpupp: Kind of like twins, except that there were lots of puppies in your litter, Roo. Twins means two. Legacy came from a litter of nine, and all of the puppies were named in order with the letters in her daddy’s name – STERLING. Legacy was number five of nine so her name had to start with an L. Our daddy thought Legacy was a bit long, so some people are calling her LC for short. Kind of like your name is Rickie Roo and we call you Roo or Rooster.

Rickie Roo: How did they get the Rickie part?

PJpupp: Your breeder named your litter after record albums. You are named after Rickie Lee Jones and an album called “It’s Like This.” Your registered name is Bur Way It’s Like This and your call name or everyday name is Rickie. Then you moved in with us and mommy added the Roo because you hop so much.

Gigi: Sometimes they call me Gi for short, but most of the time people make my name long. They call me Geegala, Geemiester and other things like that.

PJpupp: Yep, people call me Pup-per-roni. It’s funny how people change your name all around when they love you. Did you know that LC is a birthday present for Mei?

Rickie Roo: I was a birthday present too!

Gigi: Yes, but for mommy.

Rickie Roo: She says I was the best birthday present she ever got!

PJpupp: I’m sure that’s what Legacy is gonna say too. She’s bold like you are Roo.

Gigi: I’m glad that Chili Dog likes LC. She’s gonna live with Chili Dog and Mei’s family.

Rickie Roo: But mommy said she’s our sister too. I’m an aunt AND a sister!

PJpupp: That’s because mommy is a co-owner of both Chili Dog and of little Legacy. That’s why.

Gigi: That’s funny, Roo! I guess that means she’ll love you twice as much.

Rickie Roo: I forgot to ask what Legacy’s fancy show name is.

PJpupp: It is ARIS Legacy Up Up and Away.

Gigi: That’s a mouthful.

PJpupp: It sure is but she’s a lot of dog in a tiny little body. She’s called up up and away because she likes to climb. Also, her name (Legacy) is a type of missile and they fly in the air.

Gigi: She sure does like to zoom around.

PJpupp: Tonight is her first night of puppy kindergarten. She gets to go to Lomita Obedience Training Club and take classes with one of our most favorite people, Ethel Mercer.

Rickie Roo: I went to puppy kindergarten

Gigi: So did I!

PJpupp: I did too! Mommy says every single one of her dogs goes to puppy kindergarten to get a good start in life. Since LC lives with Mei, Mei will take her to class every week.

Gigi: PJpupp, do you feel bad that there are so many Rat Terriers around you? Now there’s me, Rickie Roo, Chili Dog, Legacy and on Mondays Kadoo and Courage and on play dates Perry and Rickie’s other niece Amelia Bedelia, at dog shows our friends Mona, Dude, Kopy, Lexie, Rickie’s cousin Surfer Girl, her other cousin Moxie, Dylan, Terra, Willis, Rickie’s boyfriend Frasier, Snickers, Thor and Rickie’s brother Burns and more that I can’t think of right now!

PJpupp: It does seem that our life is being over-run by ratties, but you know I love all of you so much. Rat Terriers are very good little dogs.

Rickie Roo: Are they as good as Border Collies?

PJpupp: Not at herding sheep, but they are good at many other things.

Gigi: Like AGILITY!

PJpupp: Yes, like agility.

Rickie Roo: Do we get to go to puppy kindergarten with LC?

Gigi: Silly! We have our own school tonight. Your class is at six, mine is at seven. Legacy’s class is at 6:30 so we will NOT get to go to puppy kindergarten.

PJpupp: Yes, your friend Shirley (Cricket the Pumi’s mommy) will run you in class Roo, and Carla (Mojo, Magi and Kokomo’s mommy) will run Gigi, while our mommy goes with Mei to the first day of puppy kindergarten.

Rickie Roo: WHOO HOO! Shirley gives me lots of treats!

Gigi: YUM! Carla brings the best HOT DOGS ever!

PJpupp: I’m gonna stay home and rest up while you girls are at school. I hope you have a great time.

Rickie Roo: I know I will. I hope LC has a good day at puppy kindergarten.

Gigi: Hey Roo, let’s go outside and wait for her. She’ll be here any minute and we can tell her all about when WE were in puppy kindergarten!

Rickie Roo: OK!

PHOTOS: Deborah Davidson Harpur

Has your dog gone to Puppy Kindergarten? Tell us about it!