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!!  : )

 

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Thanks, Ann and Mike, for taking this beautiful girl in and showing her what love is all about.  You two are the best and I bet in no time, Pepper will be a warm loving, well-adjusted lady.  Merry Christmas to all of you!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Ann, you are an angel. What a sad life Pepper has had, but she is in a wonderful place now. I think between you, Mike , Duke and Sheba she will begin to heal. I think you are so nurturing you will find what you need to do to help her.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, Ann, my heart just breaks for the life Pepper has had, but thanks to you, that life is now behind her. I know that with time and love, your wish will come true, and Pepper will be healed in body and in spirit. Merry Christmas to all of you, my friend, and thank you.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You are one of the dog whisperers, Ann and Mike.  If it can be done, I know you  and Duke and Sheba will accomplish it.  We all send our love and moral support.  Thank you so very much for working so hard to get Pepper.

Hugs and Kisses to you all.