A Christmas Wish for Sheba's mom, Pepper

[Ann Kendig]

Recently, Sheba got to meet her mom, Pepper.  I am amazed at how much they look alike and how they have quite a few of the same mannerisms.  I see where Sheba gets her head tilt and shyness.  Pepper is an incredibly sweet girl, just like Sheba.  : )

About a week ago I picked Pepper up from the "Breeder" I bought Sheba from.  I have been trying for about 3 years to get Pepper from this breeder.  About a year and a half ago I was planning on picking up Pepper when at the last minute the breeder called and said that Pepper was pregnant!!!  She wanted to keep Pepper to raise and sell the puppies. UGH!!   One of the puppies from this litter was returned to the breeder.  Some of you may remember Brianna, Sheba's half sister, the Newfie/Poodle.  I think the breeder felt bad for not giving up Pepper so she gave Brianna to me.  Brianna is now known as Liberty or Libbey as she was born on the 4th of July.  She now has a wonderful family that think the world of her.  The DRC was so kind to take her into their program and help find her a new home.

I am so glad that Pepper is finally here. That being said I feel a lot of anger and sadness.  Pepper was a back yard breeder's dog, she was not a friend, not a companion, just a tool to make money.  My heart goes out to her as she is just a shell of a dog.  She is a broken dog with an amputated spirit.  In Pepper's face I can see years of solitary confinement in a kennel, the cold winters, the scorching summers, the endless seasons of neglect.  The neglect, the abandonment, the loneliness that breaks you, body and spirit, human and animal alike, until there is nothing left, just skin and bones. No guilt, no sorrow. No one ever felt pity or compassion for Pepper. Pepper is an example of an uncaring breeder's dog, she was not a friend, not a companion, just a tool.  

Until today….

Pepper has been rescued, at this precise moment she is sleeping under the desk next to me. She is 5 years and 4 months old.  When she arrived she was extremely smelly with feces and urine on her coat.  She is a bag of bones, and had whipworm, ear infections, and some bad teeth. The breeder was thinking of breeding her again and mentioned that if I wanted to breed Pepper she would like one of her puppies!  Grrrrrr.  I am trying not to say anything too negative as it is Christmas!

Most of the time Pepper wants to lay on her bed.  She doesn't seem to care much about food or water.  I have tried so many different ways to get her to eat.  What works the best is starting out feeding her by hand.  The other day I made the mistake of tossing Sheba a piece of food while Pepper was finally eating on her own.  Although Sheba was across the kitchen and not near Pepper it startled her and she wouldn't eat the rest of the day. *sigh*  She doesn't really want to go outside as I think the world is far too big for a dog that's been confined to a small kennel.  Thankfully she has only had one accident and is doing very well on her house training.  Sometimes I have to pick her up off of her bed to go outside to potty.  She could hold her poo and pee FOREVER!!!!    She is so fearful of EVERYTHING!! 

My Christmas wish for Pepper is in time she will be healed.  I hope that I can help turn her life around. I want to help rebuild her body and strength, maybe in the process be able to put together the pieces of her broken spirit.

This girl is a real challenge for me.  If any of you have any suggestions on how to help me help her, please let me know!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!  : )

 

[Christine & Shelby]

Pepper is lucky to be in your loving home. She doesn't know it yet.... But you will help her find her spirit. It is so sad to hear about these BYB practices. Wishing you pepper and Sheba an amazing year of healing, learning, exploring and finding the inner doodle silliness that is inside pepper!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Pepper doesn't know it yet but she just got the best Christmas gift ever. I hate people who treat dogs the way she was treated but I'm so glad she is going to be treated the way she deserves from now on. You are an angel for sticking by her and being persistent and patient enough to get her where she needs to be. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Pepper doesn't know it yet but she just got the best Christmas gift ever. I hate people who treat dogs the way she was treated but I'm so glad she is going to be treated the way she deserves from now on. You are an angel for sticking by her and being persistent and patient enough to get her where she needs to be. 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

First Ann, let me say what a wonderful person you are and I am so thankful for you to be in our world of Doodles.

Secondly, I know in my heart that Pepper is going to come around, and if anyone can help make this happen it will be you.

Imagining her in the abhorrent place she came from is just to hard for me to do, I prefer to keep her in my minds eye with you and yours being loved, cared for, warm and soon attached. This photo will forever be what I see. 

I have no suggestions because I know you know what it is going to take, time will be on your side.

How long have you had her now Ann? I am sure with time it will be okay.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

So happy that Pepper is with you and can begin to have a life. My heart breaks for the life she has had. She can only move forward and thrive! Hugs to you.

[BG and Gavin]

Hugs to you and Pepper.  All the doods seem to have their paws crossed for Pepper's emotional recovery.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Talk about winning the Christmas Lottery!  You both have.  So happy that Breeder lady finally decided to do the right thing.  I think that the most important thing for her right now is just time.  I think I would just sit back and let her gradually absorb all that is around her.  She will see your wonderful kindness and soon learn she is safe.  She is beautiful.  Something tells me she won't be going anywhere  :o)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Ann, If anyone can help Pepper, it is Mike and you. I am so sorry this has been her life so far, but it took her 5 years of neglect to get this way, and certainly it will take a long time for her to feel safe and realize she is home. God bless you for taking her in and helping heal her spirit. Nina may be a source of information since I remember her heart wrenching blogs about Lacey. I hope next Christmas your blog says Pepper is happy and healing. Thank you!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My heart breaks reading this, Ann.  Bless you for giving her another chance.  I do believe you will turn her life around....you already have.  I'm sure it will take some time for her to learn how to trust again, but you will show her the way.  I think the most difficult part will be the waiting for her as she takes "baby steps". 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thank you thank you for helping this poor sweet girl! If anyone can bring Pepper out of her shell it is you two. She is just beautiful..time and patience...you will see it happen. And I have to give you 5 stars for not throttling that breeder OMD!