Pepper was born and bred at The Seeing Eye, the oldest guide dog training facility in the United States. After time with a puppy raiser, she began tests of intelligence and obedience that were required for her to pass before begin training for what was intended to be her life's work as a Seeing Eye Dog.
Because a Seeing Eye Dog's partner is so dependent upon their dog to keep them safe and get them places (including making independent decisions) many of the puppies do not make it through the initial tests or the training for harness. These dogs often become service dogs in other capabilities.
Pepper completed all those tests and that rigorous training, passed her final exams, and was deemed ready to be paired with her partner.
That partner was Sarah Blake LaRose who spent three weeks at The Seeing Eye where she was paired with Pepper. Together they began training to work as partners.
From puppy to harness is an expensive process, currently costing between $50,000 - $60,000 per dog. Costs are covered almost completely by donations.
Pepper's sister, Paige, also made it through all the tests and training and was paired with a woman named Kathy.
Pepper's Seeing Eye tattoo in her ear; the first number is her mother and the second is Pepper's birth order.
Pepper spent a very busy year with Sarah. Sarah was a minister and she was also working on her doctorate at Anderson University. Pepper went everywhere with her, guiding her through tasks associated with those two activities along with the day to day tasks of grocery shopping and running errands.
Getting a lift to another building at Anderson University one day.
It all suddenly came crashing down. Pepper collapsed. Sarah knew something was terribly wrong and she got Pepper the high level of care that she needed. No one knew that Pepper had been born without adrenal glands and so she had no cortisol to help her handle stress, including the stress of guiding Sarah through all her activities and commitments.
They discovered that Pepper had Addison's Disease, and she was in a full blown Addison's crisis and nearly died. Thanks to Sarah's quick thinking, Pepper survived.
But, she had to be retired immediately or the continuing stress would kill her.
A New Life with Craig & Me
I cannot imagine what it was like for Sarah during that time. She was losing the dog who gave her the freedom to work, study, and move around her community. To live an independent life. And, she was losing a dog that she loved and who was a close companion to her. It had to have been very difficult.
Sarah and I have a mutual friend, Kathy Nimmer, who is visually impaired herself. Sarah told Kathy that she needed to retire Pepper and was looking for a good retirement home, asking if Kathy knew anyone who would take good care of her.
Kathy recommended us.
Pepper off duty and playing with Sarah in their basement.
Kathy called me, explained the situation, and asked if we might be interested in rehoming Pepper with us. Zeus had been gone for 8 years - he had left such a hole in our lives that we simply had been unable to consider getting a new dog. But we decided that we were ready to try loving a dog that deeply again.
So, we spoke to Sarah who invited us to come over so she and Pepper could meet us.
It was love at first sight for us all.
Sarah interviewed us and then we asked our own questions of her. When we finished, we confirmed that we would be happy to take Pepper into our home. Sarah replied that she had three more couples to interview and that she would let us know when she decided who she felt would be the best placement for Pepper.
A few days later, we got the call that Pepper was ours.
Another black Lab service dog, albeit a much smaller Lab and one with different service training from Zeus. We were thrilled.
Our life with Pepper had begun.
Stay 'tooned!
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