About Peanut the Dog

Peanut is our 4 year old, 6 pound, female Chihuahua raised from birth. She was the smallest and last born from a litter of 3 (2 females & 1 male). Peanut's mother, Libby, which is our daughter's Chihuahua, is shown in a few photos.

Going anywhere and everywhere is what Peanut just loves (well.. ok, maybe going to the veterinarian is marginal), biking, car rides and hopping aboard a large zero turn commercial mower weekly.
Yes, she starts whining and crying when she hears the machine starting up and she's not there. If a car door is open she jumps in and sits on the console. Libby also likes to go for a trip in car with or without Peanut and then they both head to the back window. Unknowingly, Peanut had jumped in the car, apparently went straight to the back window and was not noticed until we were all ready to go, what a sneak! Reminds me of the bobble head Chihuahua or the one where the eyes would light up when the brakes were applied.

One of her daily routines is to go into "hunt mode", searching for rabbits to chase in our "just under" half an acre yard. Oh, and of course she has help from the other two female Chihuahua's. Though she's the youngest and smallest, she is..... the leader of the pack and the most spoiled.

As with any dog, training is important from day one. You need to get them out and about so this becomes a natural thing and work with them daily. As responsible pet owners, our dogs are licensed and always up to date on vaccinations, along with regular check-ups. When out in public, she is leashed in or out of her car, as required by law and for her safety.

We have been to local events like the Gratiot Cruise, several parades, festivals, Music in the Park, along with a cruise around the block or uptown around 9 Mile and Gratiot.

Maybe you have even seen the articles in the Detroit Free Press, The Macomb Daily or our local paper, The Eastsider (C&G News). Or, maybe it's been at our local hardware, DeRonnes True Value Hardware, www.DeRonneHardware.com here in Eastpointe, MI (9 Mile Rd between Gratiot and Kelly).
This is where we purchased several standard and odd materials for Peanut's car, along with the other typical hardware needs. DeRonnes carries a vast array of everything and they are always ready to help.

About Peanut's Car

Peanut's remote controlled car has been modified from the ground up. The original car was an inexpensive unit, designed more for speed and limited remote control functions. The frame was not designed for additional weight, along with many other items that were replaced or modified. It has one electric motor which runs on three 7.6 volt batteries, allowing a longer run time of approximately 2 to 4 hours, depending on the package weight and operating on generally level ground.
The electric servo motors that control various vehicle functions, were all replaced. An additional one was added for on/off control of the bubble gun in the trailer and the vehicle horn. A light package was added for turn signals, head and tail lights. I built a few circuit board kits to have adjustable flashing LED's for the trailer tail and front bumper lights. Blue LED under body strips have since been added, along with flashing front engine pipes. I continue to make changes, adding new items and upgrades.

The original body decals, windows and other effects were removed, several body imperfections were repaired with plastic body filler. The body was repainted using red sparkle effect paint from the auto parts store. Well, this didn't turn out as tested. The sparkle effect is barely noticeable. It came down to either this or a $500 paint job. The decals I made using my home built PC, printed on special paper and coated with clear lacquer.

Comments from the Crowds

Here are some fun comments, questions that we have heard: