Hi Pepper! This is Buddy, not my Mommy. I saw your picture, so I just had to respond. I'm officially a lab mix, but Daddy just calls me his little pittie.
About getting lost.....my Mommy and Daddy had the doctor put a chip in me so that if I run off a veterinarian can identify me. I have a collar with my Daddy's name and number on it, too.
I would never run away, though. I have a nice, warm bed in our house, and a big back yard to run and play ball in. Mommy takes me for walks and plays ball with me, and Daddy almost always lets me go with him when he is on the road for work. In other words, I get lots and lots of love and attention, and that's all it takes for me to want to stay with my two-leggers furever.
About squirrels and other little critters....make friends of them. I have a friend called Mad Dash, and he's a squirrel. I had a rat friend, but he moved. Or Alice Belle ate him....who knows? Alice Belle has a wicked streak, you know.
Tip: Tear up a couch by hiding your treasures in it. That's what I did. Then, Mommy got the idea of bringing my doggyloo doghouse indoors, 'cause my old crate was broken. Now, I have a Sacred Space inside all my own, and it is loaded with treasures. My favorites are empty one gallon milk jugs.
Pepper, how about joining us on our very own thread? I talk lots with Paige, Soph, Mattie, Budster, and of course PeeWee, who started our thread.
We talk about the good and bad things we do. I still don't understand why eating aluminum foil is a bad thing, but....oh, well.
Oh....and tell your Mommy that if you ever get lost, she needs to contact my Mommy immediately. Mommy works with a group that helps lost pets get home to their people, and they have lots of success stories to tell! This is the web address, if your Mommy ever needs it: https://www.facebook.com/LostAndFoundPetsofPensacola