A few days ago, I got a call from Sarah LaRose, the woman Pepper had guided prior to retiring and coming to live with us. That's not unusual; Sarah calls once in a while to say hello, ask about Pepper, and share what she has been doing.
Like Kathy, Sarah is a very active woman. She has a doctorate in Divinity, is a minister, teaches university classes in Hebrew and Greek languages, translates those languages for others, does public speaking, and is an author.
When Pepper came into our life, it was an unexpected transition, both for Sarah and for Pepper. Pepper had collapsed one day while working. Realizing that the collapse meant something was seriously wrong, Sarah immediately raced her to a specialist.
In doing so, Sarah saved Pepper's life. She nearly died and was ill and in the vet hospital for several days. The diagnosis was a severe Addison's Disease crisis and Pepper had to be retired from guiding immediately. Thanks to a recommendation from Kathy who is also a friend of Sarah's, we were selected as Pepper's retirement home.
Sarah missed her Pepper, and so I started writing pseudo pen pal letters from Pepper to Sarah (which were very much a precursor to the current iteration, Dogs of Our Lives.) The letters helped Sarah stay in contact with Pepper and reassured her that Pepper was adjusting, healthy, and happy.
Currently Sarah is working on another book, one that includes traveling and working while being assisted by the dogs who have guided her. Naturally Pepper is included.
While we were chatting, Sarah asked, "I was wondering if I could include some of the pen pal letters Pepper wrote me after she went to live with you in my new book. They helped me so much after losing her, and I'd really like to share some of them."
That admission that they had helped her brought tears to my eyes. The fact that Sarah gave up Pepper because she put Pepper's health first and at a tremendous cost to herself... well, I can't imagine what that was like. I told her to use the letters as she wished.
And then Sarah shared an amazing story about Pepper with me, one I had not heard before. "She is a brilliant dog," Sarah said after concluding the story.
I'll share that story next, but in the meantime and just for fun, here is one of my favorite pen pal letters "written" by Pepper for Sarah. Enjoy it, and stay 'tooned!
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Peeps and Spring Peepers
I am so excited. Easter is coming, and Lynn said that the Easter Bunny is going to bring me an Easter basket! Even better though, the Peeps for my basket are already here! Last night Lynn took me out to do my business and we could hear the Peeps calling to me from the woods!
I tingled all over with excitement and asked Lynn if we could go and get those Peeps. I really wanted a purple one but you know me, I'd settle for pink or yellow or just about any color. Lynn started laughing (she does that a lot) and said, "Oh, Pepper! You big goof!" (She says that a lot, too.)
Lynn explained that there is a difference between Peeps and spring peepers, and that what we were hearing were the spring peepers. I responded that I don't mind if my Peeps talk; I am sure that talking Peeps are just as good. (Maybe a little more expensive, but I'm worth it, right?) But then Lynn told me that the spring peepers were really frogs that were talking to each other in the woods.
Frogs?? FROGS??? Eeew! Why are there frogs in the woods! They're supposed to be in ponds and creeks. And why are the frogs talking? Are they telling each other where the Peeps are hidden? Even worse, are they eating my Peeps??
Mom, I am so confused and could really use your help. Will you please talk to Lynn and tell her to let me go to the woods and get the Peeps before the frogs eat them all? I would really appreciate it! (You know how hungry I can get.)
Wags and licks,
Hungry for Peeps Pepper
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