I've been trying to figure out just what to say about Pepper. Beside the fact she was positively the BEST dog anyone could ever ask for, she was always the most loving and spirited friend any dog owner could wish to have.
When she was a puppy at the vet (if you don't remember, she was a rescue by Dr. Pelletier at Goodlettsville Animal Hospital) and ugly and stinky, she had so much life in her eyes. Mange and malnutrition did nothing to the spirit of this dog. God had plans for her and she knew it. God had me in mind as her dog mom and what a blessing He gave me! When I first met her, she had almost no hair and smelled horrible due to the mange treatment. However, she had those sweet little curls at the tip of her ears that remained until her parting (and still do in Heaven!) and the brightest eyes I have ever seen on any animal. It took me all of about 20 seconds of playing with her to decide I was hers. I got to take her home a couple weeks later....Valentine's Day 1998. It was a rough time for me and she was exactly what I needed. It only took me a week to teach her to sit and a bit longer to potty train her but alas, it was still easy since she was so smart.
We had our share of "issues" to say the least and there were some bumpy times but we were meant to be together and that was that. I wish she hadn't been "meant" to potty on my bed (twice) but hey, that's what happens when Mommy doesn't wake up in time!!!! Oh well, I needed a new mattress anyway. One thing we never had a problem with was chewing - she LOVED rawhide bones....give her one and forget about her because she would gnaw until it was gone.
She adored going to "The Ranch" with me and would run like mad, play in the creek, chase horses, chase dogs, and follow me around the trail. She'd keep going until I finally had to load her into the car (on a blanket to save my upholstery) where she would curl up in a tight little ball and doze until we got home. Once home, she ate and passed out....for at least 36 hours. No kidding. If I took her out there on Sunday, she was rested by Tuesday afternoon.
Once I married, she adjusted well to having a "dad" which was cool but you could tell, she was my dog through and through. We moved to Robertson County and she entered "dog heaven" as she no longer had to live in a dog kennel during working hours. She was allowed to hang out on the porch or run around the acreage. She loved it! Well, until we brought Doc home, then she got her tail in a knot for a while. When he was a puppy, we would toss them outside to go potty and she'd lead him off into the woods at the back of our property. I'd find her sitting at the sliding glass doors looking guilty with Doc no where to be found. She didn't want that puppy around and had left him! I can't remember how many times DH had to put on his boots and go hunt for the pup. I honestly wish I had captured the look on her face the last time she tried to leave Doc behind...and he showed up seconds later at the door with her. To say she was disgruntled would be an understatement! They soon became close companions and had an unspoken (at least in human language) division of labor. Pepper was responsible for the area around the house. She would "patrol" the perimeter of our property and go visit occasionally but her area was the house and immediate yard. Doc was in charge of the perimeter...sounds very military but it worked for them. If it happened in a pasture, Doc was there. Pepper watched from the porch or edge of the yard. If someone came down the driveway, Pepper was all over them until she caught their scent and knew it was okay.
Most people are concerned when they have children that their pets will have negative reactions. Not so for me and Pepper. I knew she'd be great with a baby and indeed she was! She would come in the house and lay near Tater's bassinet, under his swing, or under his high chair whenever she got a chance. Same thing when Sweet Tater arrived. I have pictures of both kids sitting on her as well. Ears were pulled, tail was yanked, and she was pounced on, pummelled, and pounded more than any one else in the family...except perhaps me when they were still "baking." When Sweet Tater came along, Pepper was older but still so easy with her. Even the last few weeks when ST would drag her around by the ears or try to "feed" her plastic food, Pepper was patient and loving. She'd just look at me and say with her eyes "Seriously? Can you do something here?"
If I ever felt down or was in need of unconditional love, she was there at my feet without being called. It was just that easy. No matter how bad a day I had or how terrible things looked, she was there with bright eyes and curls at the tips of her ears. I'll always miss that and I'll always miss the way she'd move her head just so until my hand sat on top of it...then she'd sigh.
More memories keep coming to mind....funny, touching, and a little annoying (eating my screen door)....but these are memories I will always have to hold on to just like I have the knowledge that she's wrestling with Doc in Heaven with her fuzzy dog butt in the air and tail wagging madly. Shelby's watching from the top of a recliner and so are my human loved ones who have passed. All have met her now and love her....just like I always will.
...he's graduated from Kindergarten!
