My Busy Social Calendar

 Dear Mom,

Happy Birthday! I think I am late and I am sorry. Lynn keeps my social calendar SO BUSY that I forgot. I keep telling her to give me some time to nap and go eat bunny cocoa puffs, but for some reason she doesn't. (Lynn here, and Pepper, you can nap all you want but bunny cocoa puffs are gross and off the menu. Permanently!)

We do always make time for our daily frisbee game. That is, we did until Lynn threw it in the lake. (Photo of green frisbee floating off shore.)

I went running after it like always but then a gust of wind caught it, lifted it, and dropped it in the water about ten feet off the bank. Naturally I streaked across the ground after it and...

Can you believe that Lynn stopped me? She would not let me jump into the water and get my frisbee. First of all, it's MY frisbee and I want it back. And second, I am a labrador RETRIEVER and am supposed to RETRIEVE things! But she said something about not wanting to have to give me a bath and that the lake was absolutely off limits to me. (Sheesh! First no bunny cocoa puffs and now no swimming!)

Luckily, Craig (who REALLY loves me) went down to the lake and got my frisbee, washed it, and gave it back to me later that afternoon. (Have I ever told you how much I love Craig, Mom?)

Anyway, back to my social calendar. Guess what? I have been going into schools and reading with kids!

Photo of Pepper lying on a yellow carpet surrounded by 4th graders who are petting her. She has a big smile on her face as do they.

I visited that school by myself. (The teacher is Lisa, Nash and Molly's mom and Lynn and Craig's daughter.)

Then I went with Nacho and Tate to another school where we read with second graders. The kids had written puppy poems that they wanted to read to us. (Picture of Pepper sitting on the carpet looking at a girl as she reads a book.)

Can you tell why I really liked this girl on the left? She's wearing kitty ears! It reminded me of you, dad, and our kitties! (Close up photo of Pepper with two girls, one wearing a headband with cat ears and the other with her arm around Pepper's shoulders. All three have big smiles.)

Many of the poems began with "Puppy, Puppy" and I loved it when the kids changed those words to "Pepper, Pepper." (Picture of Pepper smiling big and looking right at the camera with two girls next to her.)

The school was so happy that Nacho, Tate, and I came and read with them that we made the news! Millions of people have now read about our visit. Lynn is going to help me start making some pawtographs to hand out when we are in public because I am now famous. (Pepper, I am doing no such thing. Besides, that would take up your valuable nap time. You sure you want to do that?)

I just know you'd like to read the news article so Lynn said she'd post it here.

Well, I must scoot. Nash and Molly are here to play today, and Lynn says I need to get out from under her feet be polite and go play with them. I send wags and wiggles to you all!

xoxo

Puppy Puppy Pepper Pepper

News about Nacho

Dear Mom,

Hello! It has been a while since I last wrote, but you know us guide dogs - we are constantly working to keep our humans safe and happy. (Lynn says that she is busier keeping ME happy and well fed, but just ignore her.)

Anyway! She just wrote a blog post about my sweetie Nacho who is now retired. (Which means we can have more time together - swoon!!) Tate has stepped in to guide Nacho's beloved Kathy, and I gotta say, that boy is big, strong, and handsome! But he's too young for me and besides, my heart truly does belong to Nacho.

Anyway again! Back to that blog post. I asked Lynn to put in more pictures and information about me,  but she said this post was not about me. Well then, why did she ask me to proof read it? Didn't she want me to check to be sure I wasn't overlooked?? Honestly, the next time she asks me to look over her writing, I think I will decline.

Anyway a third time! Lynn's blog post is below. She says she hopes you enjoy it. (I say that if you agree with me that there is far too little about me, then please ask her to do a rewrite.) I am happy and healthy and loving life, especially now that the weather is so nice.

Love to you, Dad, Ursula, and the kitties!

Pepper

--

My friend Kathy had to retire her guide, Nacho, this spring after six years of faithful guiding and leading. This was a big deal in our community. 

Since Kathy is the administrator of the school corporation's mentor program for new teachers, she and Nacho are in every school building (all twenty of them!) throughout the year. As a result, Nacho is well known and quite beloved by students, teachers, and staff alike. Several teachers put their heads together and decided to hold a retirement party for Nacho. 

Photo of Lynn, Kathy, Lisa, Nacho, and Pepper under the retirement banner.

Pepper was invited to come, and so my daughter Lisa, Pepper, and I joined the throngs to thank him for his service and have our picture taken with him.

Photo of white cake with a picture of Kathy and Nacho on it.

There was a yummy cake for the adults 

Picture of a cake shaped like an N and frosted with real roses, strawberries, and dog treats in the frosting.

and one just for Nacho, both baked by the head chef of the high school culinary school.

Photo of Kathy being wired with a microphone with a big camera in front of her and Nacho by her side.

Kathy and Nacho do a lot of public speaking outside of school and around the community, and so his retirement even made the news.

Photo of the cover of Kathy's book.

As you might imagine, Nacho's retirement was very bittersweet for Kathy. Their lives were so interwoven, she even wrote an insightful book called Two Plus Four Equals One about her relationship with her guides. But it was time, and so Nacho is now living with Kathy's parents. (Kathy's parents live a few blocks from her so she sees her beloved boy often.)

Picture of Tate on a sit/hold.

Meet Tate, Kathy's new guide. A big, strapping two year old black Lab, Guiding Eyes for the Blind matched the two in April and she traveled out to New York for several weeks of training with Tate. (The matching process is lengthy and detailed, but Guiding Eyes for the Blind works hard to match the personalities and needs of both partners.) 

Picture of Kathy seated, leaning forward, and hugging Tate.

Look at those jowls!! Kathy and Tate meet for the first time.

Photo of Tate stretched out and his jowls spreading onto the floor.

He is a massive boy. 

Picture of Kathy and Tate learning to work together in New York City.

After a week of letting Tate settle into his new home and routine, Kathy texted and invited me to come over and meet him. She asked that I bring Pepper, too.

Kathy kneeling outside her home, Tate sitting on the left and Pepper sitting on the right.

Both are black Labs, but look at the size difference. 

Pepper and Tate nose to nose as they lie on the ground.

They got along well, but I think Pepper was a little intimidated by him. 

Photo of Nacho and Pepper pulling on a tug toy.

Meanwhile, Nacho is thoroughly enjoying his retirement. I see him frequently when he is out walking with one of Kathy's parents, and he's even been over for a play date with Pepper.

Tate, Nacho, and Pepper are getting together tomorrow for a field trip with Kathy. She is taking the dogs (and her mom and me) out to a local school to read with a group of second graders.

Picture of Miss Pepper lying on the classroom floor with a smile on her face and looking up into the faces of the kids who are petting her.

That is something Pepper is familiar with and enjoys. Last week she went into our daughter Lisa's classroom and was read to by her students.

Expanded photo of her with all the kids.

As you can tell, Pepper enjoys that!

It's the end of the school year and graduations and other retirements are happening. But there are also new beginnings, and Kathy and Tate's partnership is just that.

 

Kathy and Tate's graduation picture.

I look forward to seeing this partnership grow and thrive.

 

Checkin' In!

 Dear Mom,

Hello from wet, chilly, and rainy western Indiana! When Lynn let me outside before breakfast this morning, I made sure to do my business fast. Usually I like to run around the yard and grab a little pre-breakfast of bunny cocoa puffs, but today it was in and out. (Lynn wants you to know that she is working very hard to end my access to bunny cocoa puffs.)

Things here are going great! Lynn (who had a spinal fusion two weeks ago) is home from the hospital and recovering. She has even felt well enough to take me to the park and play frisbee again. That's my favorite game, and let's just say Lynn's aim is improving and she only SOMETIMES throws the frisbee into the neighbors' fenced in back yard.

(Photo of Pepper lying in the green grass at the park with her frisbee lying on her front legs, ready to grab when Lynn says she's ready to throw it again.)

This semester, Molly and Nash come to my house every Thursday and Friday while Lisa teaches. I love those days, but I do have to remind Nash CONSTANTLY that all the toys are MINE.

(Photo of Pepper with seven toys on her bed and placing her octopus pull toy on top.)

Lynn, Craig, and Lisa have dubbed me "the shark" for the ingenious way I have devised to take any and all toys away from Nash. 

Nash is a lot bigger than me, so I have to use my brain and outsmart him to get them back. And in my defense (Lynn says there is no defense; just ignore her) he DOES tease me by grabbing a toy, running away with it, and then prancing back to me and shaking it at me. (Photo of Pepper lying on two toys muzzle to muzzle with Nash. Look carefully and you will see one peeking out from underneath him. Shhh! Don't tell Pepper!)

Craig has a nickname for Nash - the 8th Grade Boy. That's because he is young and very, very adolescenty goofish. For example, Nash is ALWAYS losing my favorite ball under the chairs and couches.

Then he lies by the couch it is underneath and looks mournful. Perhaps Nash is smarter than he seems - it works every time. Craig gets down on the floor and gets the ball for him. (Photo of Nash lying by the couch and looking intently at the ball that is underneath it.)

I like Thursdays and Fridays when Molly and Nash are here - we play a lot, and Lynn always gives us Kongs with peanut butter in them in the afternoon.

Sometimes she even shares her favorite snack, Skinny Pop, with us, too! (Photo of Molly, Nash, and Pepper with hopeful faces and sitting in front of Lynn who has a bag of Skinny Pop on her lap.)

When Lisa is done at school and comes to pick Molly and Nash up, we all have a joyful reunion. I always bring her a toy - after all, she's a teacher and knows what show and tell is all about. (See? I can share!)

(Photo of Lisa sitting on the floor, Pepper getting a belly rub, Nash lying by Pepper, and Molly sitting next to Lisa with a very happy look on her face.)

After they go home, things are a lot quieter here. And honestly, I'm usually kind of tired. Taking toys away from Nash all day can really wear a girl out. (Lynn says I wouldn't be so tired if I just let him have them, so I had to remind her yet again that they are MY toys.)

(Photo of Pepper sound asleep in the center of a warm patch of sunshine coming through the windows.)

Life is good and I am very happy. 

Sending wags, licks, and happy wiggles to you all,

Love, 

Miss P.

Catching Up

 Hallo, Mom!

I am sorry it has been so long since I last wrote. Blame Lynn and Craig. They keep me to a rigorous schedule of naps, walks, meals, and play time. I finally had to put my paw down and insist that I get a chance to write to you.

Did you have a nice holiday season? We sure did, but boy was it crowded around here - sixteen people for an extended stay! (They all quarantined for two weeks and had negative COVID tests before coming.) And some of that company brought their dogs. Lynn and Craig actually invited the dogs to join us!

Photo of seven year old Julie sitting between Millie and Molly on the floor.

Now, I am used to Millie and Molly, but Blue and Rhett were new to me. And you KNOW how those dogs from Colorado are - kind of free spirited, if you catch my drift.

But they had their uses, too. They really liked helping with clean up - plates, floors, and kids who didn't want to use their napkins. They excelled at the latter. Photo of six year old Ian lying on the ground and laughing as Rhett and Blue clean his face.

After Christmas, Millie became very ill. She was diagnosed with diabetes and spent time in the hospital. Lisa, Lynn, and Craig took really good care of her, but at last she became so ill that she was euthanized. We were all completely devastated. I didn't think anyone would ever smile again. 

Photo of Millie lying on the carpet at our home.

We all miss Millie so much. And Molly especially does. I think I've told you this, but Molly was a puppy mill breeder and she has terrible fears from her time there. Millie always helped her feel comfortable when things got scary for her. I tried my best to help her, but I live in my house and she lives in hers.

So, Nash came to live with Lisa and Molly. Photo of Lynn and me on the couch with Nash sitting on the floor in front of us.

He's a 75 pound two year old German Shepherd/Labrador cross that is a rescue from Kokomo.

Oh, how he loves to play! We play together a lot and Lynn says her house is "suffering" because of it. I'm not sure what she means because playing is fun and who doesn't like that? (I suspect Lynn is exaggerating again.) Photo of Nash and Pepper with a rope tug between them, each pulling backwards.

Best of all, Molly took to Nash right away. Lynn thought he might be too lively for her, but she was snuggling with him before the end of their second day together. Photo of Nash and Molly lying side by side, sides touching, and asleep.

Nash doesn't play with her - he seems to sense that she is easily overwhelmed. He did get her to do zoomies around the back yard once, though. That surprised all the humans and made them laugh. Photo of Nash and Molly lying together, Nash's muzzle on her back.

I did have to reassure my sweet Nacho that he had nothing to worry about in the romance department when it came to Nash. Nacho will always be my one true love. Just thinking of him makes me want to swoon!

And guess what? Kathy has asked Lynn to help her by walking Nacho every day and I get to come along! Every afternoon Craig, Lynn, Nacho, and I take a jaunt around our neighborhood. Nacho and I sneak some kisses in when the humans aren't looking - they have no idea of the romance unfolding right in front of them!

So, that's an update from me and you are now all caught up. It has been busy, and a little sad when we lost Millie, but we are all doing well and I am very, very happy. (I'd be even happier if Lynn would share the popcorn she is munching while I dictate this letter to you, but she says I don't need it. Hmph!)

Love to you and Dad, Ursula, and the kitties!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Pepper

Christmas is Coming!

Hi Mom!

Guess what? Lynn and Craig have put a reminder tree up in our living room! Having a reminder tree in the house is just the BEST because it smells like the trees outside and reminds me of the things I love to do - play frisbee in the park, go for a walk, or hunt for bunny cocoa puffs. Because of the reminder tree I am asking Lynn and Craig to take me to those places more often and sometimes they do! 

Even better, they have put some interesting boxes and bags under the reminder tree. I like to go over to them and sniff them - MMMMMMM! But for some reason, Lynn and Craig tell me that I have to wait until Christmas to see what's in those packages. 

Now, that doesn't seem fair. Christmas is a long way away and I have a hard time waiting. But Lynn told me not to worry, that she had something that would not only help pass the time, but help me count the days to Christmas. And she went into her closet and pulled out a huge box!

Photo of a 3 foot by two foot advent calendar box with numbered doors on it.

She said that every day she would open one of those doors and that I would get the treat that is hiding behind it! WOWZA!!

Photo of Pepper in her red plaid collar with white snowflakes sniffing her advent calendar.

There are 24 doors and, this just keeps  getting better and better, there are 44 treats inside. That means I get two surprises on some days! DOUBLE WOWZA!!

We have opened four doors so far and I have to say, everything has been tasty. Lynn tells me that I can count on opening a new door every day but that I have to wait until we come home after playing frisbee in the park. (The reminder tree told me to ask about that this morning when we first got up, but Lynn said that 5:00 AM is not the best time to play frisbee. Doggone!)

Well, that reminder tree just reminded me to ask to go outside. (I will use my puppy eyes, too - neither Lynn or Craig can resist those!)

Sending wags, licks, and wiggles to all,

Peppermint (my holiday nickname)

My Birthday Party!

Dear Mom,

Lynn says that I am now a mature dog since I turned four years old on September 25. Do you think that means she plans to take away my balls and donuts and rope tugs and frisbees? Oh, I hope not! Especially the frisbees - they are my absolute favorite toy!

Oh, wait. Lynn just  used the "Oh, Pepper" phrase. And then she said that she had no plans to take any toys away from me. Whew! I was a bit worried there for a minute.

Anyway, Lynn and Craig gave me a birthday party! And my favorite folks came - Nacho (swoon!), Millie, Molly, Lisa, Curt, Ian, Mila, Lukie, Kathy, Mary Anne, and Bill all dropped in during the day. And they came to celebrate me! Oh, did we have fun.

Lynn hung a birthday banner up and set out a squeaky toy birthday cake and candle, cupcakes and cookies for the humans, and the yummiest doggie cake EVER for me!

Photo of Pepper sitting in front of the table that is set for the party.

It was made for dogs, but Lynn said it smelled so good, she was tempted to try it. I gently pointed out that she had cookies and cupcakes and to please leave my birthday cake alone. (Photo of the doggie cake which smelled like gingerbread and had white icing and sprinkles on top.)

After we were all set up for the party, we sat down to wait for our guests.

She also put a bandanna on me that said, "Happy Birthday to me." I wore it all day so that everyone would know that it was my special day. Photo of Pepper wearing her blue birthday bandanna.

Lisa was our first guest, and she brought Millie and Molly with her. And you know what? Even though Lynn said to not bring me any gifts (why she said that is beyond me; I can always use more toys and stuff), Lisa brought me a box of treats! Of course we opened them then and there. (I was a good girl and shared them with Millie and Molly. Lisa, Lynn, and Craig declined. Their loss.)

Photo of Lisa with the dogs gathered around her, handing out treats.

Lisa had to go to work, but Millie and Molly stayed all day with me. Oh, how I love it when they come over to play! But we soon had more visitors - Curt arrived and he brough Ian, Mila, and Lukie! They were SO EXCITED to come to my party, and the first thing they did was to sing Happy Birthday to me. Ian played the Happy Birthday roll on our player piano while Mila, Lukie, Lynn, and I danced.

Ian pedaling the piano with Lukie and Mila dancing around the living room. 

Then we played games. One was to guess how many dog biscuits were in a jar. Ian won, and his prize was to feed me a biscuit. Mila and Lukie's consolation prizes were to also feed me biscuits! It was my favorite game of the party!

Next we went outside to play some games with my beloved tennis balls. The kids lined up and all three threw their balls at once. I went running for the balls, and whoever's ball I picked was the winner! (I asked for the prizes for this game to also be biscuits, but Lynn said I had had enough already plus we would be eating birthday cake soon.)

Lukie, Ian, and Mila with me standing in front of them. Will they EVER throw those balls for me??

And then something REALLY funny happened. Watch this video, Mom!

Lukie's ball just smelled so good, I had to switch! He'd grabbed a cookie and had frosting on his hands. I just couldn't resist!

Well, after the games in the backyard, the humans ate the cupcakes and Millie, Molly, and I had some of our special birthday cake. Curt took the kids home and things were quiet for a while.

A few hours later, my sweet Nacho (swoon!) arrived.

And promptly grabbed my new birthday cake squeaky toy! I almost broke up with him over that, but he gave it back.

I was still a little miffed - after all, it's my new birthday toy! - so I sat by Craig and well, Mom, I am a little embarrassed to say, but I pouted.

Nacho (swoon!) slipped up behind me and gave me a sweet kiss on the ear and all was forgiven. Photo of Pepper sitting at Craig's feet while Nacho stands behind kissing her ear. Mary Anne is sitting on the couch watching. (There are ALWAYS chaperones around - the two of us never get any alone time!)

Bill gave me one of his legendary ear rubs, and he, Mary Anne, Kathy, and Nacho brought me a new frisbee! Oh, joy and rapture! (I have decided that I like it when people ignore Lynn when she says, "No gifts, please.")

The afternoon party just kept getting better and better - Lisa came back!

We four dogs were so happy to see her that she finally sat on the ground so that we could all cuddle her. (And be cuddled, too. We are pretty smart like that.) Photo of Lisa with Nacho (disappearing around the side of the couch), Molly, and Millie.

Oh, Mom, I just had the best day. But I still was a little sad because some other important people weren't there - you, Dad, the kitties, and Ursula. Maybe next year you can come to my party? (Lynn just said, "Wait! What party? We just got through this one, Pepper!") 

Okay, so I'll talk to her privately and let you know. Anyway, I love you and send lots of licks, wiggles, and wags to everyone. Please pass them on for me!

Love always,

Pepper the Birthday Girl

My New Toy!

Dear Mom,

Oh, boy, just wait until you hear about this! I have a new toy and I am so excited because I absolutely love it. Can you guess what it is? Here are some hints for you.

First hint: It's round. 

I'll bet you guessed a tennis ball. Nope! It's not a tennis ball. They're fun, but this is funner. (Lynn says that "funner" isn't a word, but I had her look it up and she discovered that by normal rules of adjective formation, it is a word. She says she still won't use it herself but agreed to type it in for me.)

Okay, here is another hint. My new toy is round and flat.

I can hear you now - you think I got donut #5368, right? It isn't a donut! (Although I love, love, love all my donut toys. Lynn says the food donuts are even better, but she won't share with me when she eats one. She said that if I want to stay svelte for my sweet Nacho, then edible donuts aren't for me. Hmmmm...)

One last hint. My new toy can fly! Well, it can fly IF the person playing with me has a good arm. ::cough cough:: (Lynn needs practice; a lot of it. Just sayin'!)

It's a frisbee! Did you guess? (Photo of Pepper lying in the grass, green frisbee beside her.)

Lynn and I have been going down to the park every day to play with it. (Picture of me loping after a green frisbee. Lynn would like to point out that it IS FLYING despite what I said about her ability to throw. I say that she got lucky.) 

When Lynn pulls my frisbee out of the cabinet by the front door, I grab it in my mouth and carry it all the way to the park. (Photo of me carrying the frisbee in my mouth.)

I don't mind that I can't sniff at all the trees and things to see who has visited the park before me. It's more fun to carry my frisbee and worth missing out on the pee-mail. (Another photo of me carrying my treasure.)

Lynn has promised to practice throwing it, and she said that, in the meantime, I should be glad that she hasn't (yet) thrown it into the lake or someone's back yard by mistake. (Picture of me lying in the shady grass with my frisbee between my front paws.)

Call me one happy dog!

Flying high into the sky I remain,

Your Pepper