Goodbye Pepper by Janet McGregor

Goodbye Pepper

by Janet McGregor

Yesterday, Saturday 10/02/04 we said goodbye to our faithful friend of 12 years. Pepper was an Austrailian Sheppard. Pepper was my son Rich's dog. We adopted Pepper when Rich was only 8 years old. She was black and silver and his best friend. She was always there when he needed her. I am sure sometimes it isn't easy growing up from a boy to a man. But, whenever he needed someone by his side there was always Pepper. Well, the boy did grow up and moved out last year. He moved into a house with some friends with dogs. But, his dog was always on the family farm. Pepper in her old age started having health problems. Arthritis first and weight problems, and probably more that went undiagnosed. She had her good days, but as time went by she had her bad days more and more often. About 6 months ago, she was having a hard time standing or walking and it was so hard to see her like that. My sister and I (Rich's mom), Rich, Candy (his sister) and Steph, (his adopted sister) and a family friend all went up to the Vet's office. After my sister had dug a grave early in the morning so that wouldn't have to be done when we got home. We were all prepared for the worst and there were so many tears. But, we thought we were doing the right thing. My dad stayed home and sat at his chair in the window waiting for us to return. We got there and the Vet said possibly with a diet and exercise she would live another couple years. Needless to say we were elated. So, we brought her home. And, she did seem better. But, within the next 6 months she sometimes wouldn't eat, sometimes didn't want to go outside and sometimes had accidents. Until finally the day came just a couple days ago that we knew we were only prologing where weakness, her pain and her dignity was gone. I wasn't sure that I could go this time. I had had to have another dog put down years ago and it was so hard then. My sister had volunteered to take Pepper on Thursday, but when I told my son he said, "don't do anything until I get there". Then it was too late she had to go to work. So, we braced ourselves once more for what we had to do. Yesterday morning my son, my daughter, my adopted daughter and my dad knew we had to do it for Peppers sake. We took her into the Vet's office, she was scared and so were we. After saying our farewells she laid on the table I was crying with my face next to her muzzle. Everyone in the room was crying. My son, had to wait outside he couldn't watch. When she got her shot there was a wimper, a couple breaths and it was over. My son carried her out to his car and placed her in the backseat. I got in the front seat with him and the two sisters rode together in their car. My son's first stop was at the cemetary. We all got out at my mom's grave,(she had passed back in 1996). and asked her to go meet Pepper, show her around and tell her we will all be together again soon. With tears falling down our face we left. When we got back to the family farm, my son, and my adopted daughter dug a grave in the nicest spot in the orchard, it turned out to be a bonding time for them, talking about the good times with Pepper. I went into town and bought a potted golden mum plant that we planted up her head. I chose gold, because she had a heart of gold. The loss we feel I cannot describe, but the love and compassion of family and friends that has surfaced since I cannot describe either. We will miss her so much. We know though that now she is strong, healthy, no more aches, no more pain, and meeting new friends who are also wait at the Rainbow bridge for the ones they left behind. Thank you for letting me share my story and Pepper until we meet again, you will alway live in our hearts. Gone but never forgotten. Love, Mom

Comments would be appreciated by the author, Janet McGrego