Being Helpful

Dear Mom,

Well, I was a bit surprised today - Lynn slept in until almost 7:00! Our usual routine is to get up at 5:00, head upstairs where she writes for a few hours, then go downstairs for breakfast and getting dressed and ready for the day. But I think I know why.

Yesterday she seemed off all day. She would smile and play with me, but later I could sense she was sad. I did my best to cheer her up, often flipping over and into my legs akimbo pose (always guaranteed to make her smile!)

 Pepper stretched out on her back, legs every which way, antler and pull toy at the ready.

Then, I wormed my way under her desk while she was working and took up all the space where her feet needed to go.

 Pepper under the desk, head on paws, taking up all the space.

That made her smile, too, and say, "Oh, Pepper! You big goofball!" (She says that a lot.)

I stayed with her all day and gave her some extra licks when I thought she seemed sad.

There were a couple of phone calls that came during the day and she always seemed teary after hanging up the phone. She got some texts, too. They were from her Illinois friend Ron, and his son, Randy, about their wife and mom, Pam. 

Pam is Lynn's very best friend and has been for thirty years. Sadly, Pam's breast cancer returned a few months ago, and Pam was in the hospital. I overheard Ron tell Lynn that Pam had been so excited to meet me and had really been hoping to see me later this week. Then he added that we would meet in heaven someday instead instead of in this life.

Not only were Lynn and Pam dearest friends, but Pam loved Lynn's black Lab, Zeus. After Lynn and Craig moved back home to Indiana after twenty-seven years at the University of Illinois, Pam would drive over and visit him. (Well, she visited Lynn, too, but she spent a lot of the time with Zeus while here.)

Pam on the floor and patting Zeus in Lynn's dining room. He, too, was a service dog, just like me, only his job was to sniff out drugs and narcotics.

Lynn and Pam in September, their last visit together.

Last night after dinner Lynn got another text from Ron. It simply stated, "Pam's gone." Lynn was so sad even though she knows where Pam is now and that she is in a better place. (Maybe she's throwing balls to Zeus!) I gave her some extra licks and sat with her while she cried.

Lynn thanked me as she dried her tears and assured me that she was okay. I think she was, but I still kept an eye on her. Then she went to bed and she slept well past our usual rising time. She apologized to me this morning, saying that it was because she hadn't slept well the previous night, knowing that Pam's time was short.

I have been told repeatedly by Lynn and Craig that they are glad I have come to live with them. They say it every single day, sometimes multiple times. I love them and am very happy here. But this is the first time that I have been needed and I am so glad that my licks, cuddles, and sticking close helped Lynn through a tough time. 

Lynn says you would be proud of me and would want to know how much of a comfort I was to her, so I am sharing this story with you.

Always your girl,
Pepper