The day Pepper crossed the rainbow bridge, just before the end, he struggled but brought his head up from the table and laid it in my hands as if to say "dad, it will be ok". He always loved me with such a strong conviction. Always looking for me, always wanting to be by my side, and I never tired of it.

We will forever miss him, our precious Pepper

1/30/2025
It has been a week since you crossed, and it isn't getting any easier. Your memory is on my mind constantly. You were supposed to get a haircut today. The groomer is sad about your passing as well. I hope you are doing good my boy wherever you are. Miss you more than words can say

2/8/2025
It has been a little over 2 weeks since you had to go. The pain is the same, but the memories I cherish

I dreamed of you last night. I woke up at around 330am needing to get up but then closed my eyes and fell back asleep. In the dream, I got up, and you where there partially under the bed like you used to do. I was so happy to see you and you me. We played and cuddled and gave hugs and kisses. It was amazing. But then you went to the doorway, and we knew it was time for you to go. We cuddled one last time, and you headed for the door. A sparkling light appeared at the bottom of the door and you turned back as if to say goodbye, then you walked through the light. Then I woke up. But the thing was, I wasn't in as much pain. I felt joy and comfort. Thank you for visiting me my friend, my soul pup. I love you!

2/21/2025
Well, it has been 4 weeks of missing you. I'm not going to keep doing these posts but will add memories as they come to me. But I dreamed of you again last night. It was amazing to play with you again and have you by my side. Hope you are doing great wherever you are my Pepper!

3/28/25 - I know your headstone has a typo for your birthday, but Happy Birthday Pepper! We love and miss you! You would have been 14 today! And you have been gone for 9 weeks now, and it never gets easier. Love you puppy!

I wrote this for him:

Pepper's Song

The hallway is quiet, the shadows are deep
The corner where you used to curl up and sleep
Is empty and still since you went away
But I still find myself calling your name every day.
You were a shadow in motion, coal-black and small
With a coat like a cloud and a silver-grey crawl
Creeping up on your muzzle, a map of the years
Of the joy and the barks and the drying of tears.

Oh, Pepper, my Puppy, my heart's little light
I still hear your bark in the middle of night.
You'd tilt your head sideways at every word
As if I was the only one ever be heard.
Though the house is so silent and the garden is still
I feel you here with me, and I always will.

In the heat of your heyday, you'd run for the sun
With a ball or a stick, you were never quite done.
A fierce little guardian, you'd shout at the gate
With a love just as heavy as your spirit was great.
You didn't know small, you only knew wide
With a mountain of courage living inside.
Now the toys are all gathered, the leash is on the hook
And I miss how you'd give me that inquisitive look.

In that final moment, when the world slowed down
And the weight of the goodbye was all that we found
You rested your head in the palms of my hands
A quiet I love you that heart understands.
You let go so gently, with one last embrace
Leaving the memory of your sweet, silver face.

Oh, Pepper, my Puppy, my heart's little light
I still hear your bark in the middle of night.
You'd tilt your head sideways at every word
As if I was the only one ever be heard.
Though the house is so silent and the garden is still
I feel you here with me, and I always will.

I still hear the click of your paws on the floor
I still look for you when I walk through the door.
You're the shadow in sunlight, the wind in the tree
My Pepper, my Puppy, forever with me.
Always with me.
Head tilted, listening for me.