Four years ago, Jackie Markey came home to an unusual sight: her entire yard and deck covered with stuffed animals — more than 30 of them.
The guilty party? Her yellow Labrador, Buttercup.
Ever since discovering the joys of a new doggy door her husband Don installed, Buttercup has followed the same heart-melting ritual every day.
After breakfast, she trots through the door and begins transferring her beloved stuffed animals — one at a time — from inside the house to the great outdoors.
“She does it all day long,” Markey told The Dodo.
Rain, snow, or shine, Buttercup never skips a day. Her dedication is so strong that Markey often finds herself having to thaw out soggy or frozen toys that have braved the elements overnight.
All of Buttercup’s plush friends come from IKEA’s children’s toy section — her collection features a shark, polar bear, octopus, and most importantly, a bunch of plush huskies. The huskies are clearly her favorites.
“She always goes for the huskies first,” Markey said. “She lies on them and suckles on their heads like a pacifier.”
Another standout in her collection? A giant brown bear that’s often too big to fit through the doggy door — but that doesn’t stop Buttercup from trying.
“She’ll try to shove it through, and it’s the funniest thing,” Markey said.
Now 8 years old, Buttercup also has a younger sister named Peanut, a 6-year-old yellow Lab with a different set of interests — mainly playing fetch and chewing bones. But Buttercup adores her and often snuggles up on top of her like a cozy blanket.
“She’s got a motherly nature,” Markey said. “She’s such a gentle soul — like an old soul in a dog’s body.”
Buttercup may not help clean up after herself, but every evening, Markey lovingly gathers the toys and brings them back inside — only for Buttercup to carry them all out again the next morning.
To see more of Buttercup’s endearing toy adventures, you can follow her and Peanut on their Facebook page: The PeanutButtercup Chronicles.
