Pepper

Pepper's Arrival Story

On August 6, 2005 I asked for half a day off from work to accompany my mother to the doctor's. That morning my mother called and told me that she had cancelled her appointment and rescheduled for another day. So, I got dressed and went into work even though I had asked for the day off. When I arrived at work, the accountant was there using my computer. My boss had scheduled him to come while I was gone. Since there was nothing for me to do without a computer, I had the day free.

The Rescue's annual meeting was in 2 days. We were going to have the meeting an hour away from me, and then have the fun day just 30 minutes away from where I work. The reservations for the Fun Day still needed paid for, so I decided I would run up to Valpo and finalize our plans with the Canine County Club.

Right before I got into Valpo, I got the idea to stop by Valpo's animal shelter to drop off my business card, and give them some background information on the rescue. I had all day...what could it hurt??

There he was...Kennel 25. "Kennel 25" is what was on his gate and on his folder. No other name or references...just Kennel 25. I peered through the wire panel at a small male border collie. He was ticked with spots very heavily and had one blue eye. His coat was all matted and he was on the thin side. He wagged his tail at me just a little, but no other _expression on his face.

We walked outside to the fenced area for evaluation. He loved the ball and jumped straight into the air like he was on a pogo stick. Then when he lost the ball, he crouched into a herding position and stalked the other dogs in the outside area. The potential was radiating off of this little stray. My heart was filling with joy as I watched him. I was happy to see that he was going to be an easy foster. And with a some grooming and bathing, he would probably get adopted pretty quick too.

I took "Kennel 25" up front and we signed the papers. Since I was rescuing him, they gave him to me no charge. The shelter staff was so wonderful and sweet. It was great working with them.

The entire trip home I was throwing out names and watching in my rear view mirror for his ears to perk up. Hank, Cap, Willie, Bandit, Ace, Abe, Coal, Charlie, Bear, Smokey, Smudge....nothing fit. I was exhausting my mental list of names rapidly. By the time I got to the vet's office, I still had nothing to call him. We stopped in for a heartwom test. Some of the clients in the waiting room tried to help me name him, but still nothing was clicking. I explained to everyone his story and that he was just another foster. The receptionist called us back, and asked, "By the way, what's his name?" I looked down at my little rag-a-muffin and he looked back at me with a low face and slumped shoulders. Our eyes met and our souls connected. "Pepper" came out of my mouth without me knowing it. At the sound of the name his ears pricked up, his tail turned on, and he smiled. I was stunned over what just happened...I couldn't figure out where that came from and what that feeling was that I just had. It was deep and amazing. We continued to the back room but now Pepper was holding his head up and had a bounce to his step. We walked back not as person & dog, but as soul mates.

When I first got Pepper, I thought there may be some issues between him and the cats. When they walked he ran little circles around them, but in a few days that ceased and they began to be friends. Now, when I have new fosters come to the house and they aren't good with cats, Pepper seems to be their protector. He will sense the tension and put himself between the foster dog and the cats. He will also nip and growl at them if the feline confrontation gets too hot. He loves the cats, and seems to want peace in the house.

I can't talk enough about my little Pepper. That scroungy little guy turned into my Prince Charming. He is so smart and such a lover. If he's not playing he wants to be with you. Pep loves to snuggle on the couch at night and will fall asleep on top of you when you give him a massage.