Meeting Pepper

Pepper the Plott Hound arrived at LDCRF with his mother and sister in February 2011 from a rural shelter in West Virginia. The ladies got adopted quickly, but shy little Pepper is still looking for his home.

I met Pepper today on a rainy afternoon at the Fair Lakes Petsmart. The van pulled up and I peeked around the open back door anxious to meet my new foster. There was Pepper looking out from the safety of his crate with a worried face. I coaxed him out and we awkwardly walked towards the grass to take a few calming breathes.

As the event picked up, Pepper followed me while I did interviews with potential adopters. He sweetly leaned into my legs and hid his head behind my knee, patiently waiting through each interview as strangers gave him gentle pats on the head. It may not seem like a lot, but for a shy dog that is huge. Pepper started to relax a little as we weaved through the people and said hello to all of his friends from the ranch who were also looking for homes that day. Every now and then I'd catch him smiling with a little tail wag as we walked back and forth. He started to walk at my side rather than darting around. Pepper was trying his very best to be brave.

The adoption event came to an end and it was time to take Pepper and our little foster kittens home. (Yes, Pepper seems to do well with kitties!) Pepper followed me to the car like a good boy, then stood by as I opened the door and loaded the kittens. When it was his turn he looked at me as if to say, "You must be joking? I'm not jumping into that SUV lady..." So I picked up all 55lbs of him and in he went. After a few nervous circles, Pepper settled on a spot to lay down and smiled at me from between the seats, then away we went home to meet our pack of pups.

Pepper was not sure that he wanted to leave the car, so I scooped him up in my arms and gently set him down in the driveway. Once he was on the ground, Pepper cautiously followed me to the door where he was greeted by our dogs - a bossy JRT, a shy shepherd, and a goofy pit bull. Pepper was submissive, but friendly with all of the dogs. He was an easy addition to the pack and they all instantly accepted him. He wandered around the den sniffing all of the corners and inspecting the stairs until he found a spot on the rug to settle in and take a nap.

Pepper is still a shy boy, but I am confident that each day he will get a little more comfortable. He is a sweetheart and I can't wait for him to shine.