Pepper...A PET STORE HERO - warning SAD
 

I've asked my friend Kathy if I could her story here. She IS a member of this site and I hope she will post. We've been friends for quite a few years now and I still remember her bringing her yorkie Pepper home. Pepper is a sick little Puppy Mill/Pet Store Puppy.

Pepper is not going to have a long life like most of our yorkies. :(

Pepper is the sweetest most happy yorkie EVER ... They were told due to his illness that he would never see his 1st Birthday :( With his moms love - he just turned 2 in Feb.

Knowing Pepper is one of the biggest reasons I speak out so much about Pet Stores..... and I really would love people to give him just ONE MINUTE and read his story.....Then tell ALL YOUR Friends to never buy from the Pet Store so we can STOP THIS CYCLE.

THESE ARE HER WORDS....(love you Kathy) I still get teary reading about Sir Pepper ...my little HERO.

My name is Kathy and Sir Pepper is my yorkie. ....Pepper has a serious neurological illness called "cerebellar Abiotrophy" and there is no cure.

I bought him from a petstore (which has been put out of business!!! Thank God) then found out he came from a puppymill via the WORST puppy broker in the country...won't name names just because I am poor and can't afford to be sued just yet...waiting for the lottery to come in!

Anyway, Peppers illness is progressing, but he is a fighter and doesn't allow it to beat him down. The experts believe now that this is a genetic illness, both parents carry the gene, and that one of them has an active case of it. He looks like he is drunk when he has an episode (4 or 5 times a day now) so I call it "dingy".

My angel can't walk straight, sit, eat or drink without falling over. It used to be that when it happened he was aware and mentally all there, lately however, he has what I call "blank-outs" you can tell that he doesn't know what is happening or why or even who he is...I just hold him through it. They don't last long but they frighten him...and me.

I get very, very angry at the people whose greed caused him to go through this! But as I said he is a fighter...and before long he is back to playing like a puppy! He is such a sweetie and loves everyone! LOL sometimes a little too much. Though I have to admit that when he is hopping down the street on his hind legs to say hello to someone, I can't help laughing! And the smiles he causes where ever he goes! Guess you can tell I'm in love with my boy!
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ME AGAIN.......I hope just one person reads this and learns how awful Puppy Mills & Pet Shops are. This is one of MANY Stories out there - it just happens to be a good good friends story and my heart breaks for her.

I totally forgot PICTURES ! This is Pepper - look at that HAPPY HAPPY FACE !

I did the 2nd pic and love the caption - that's just what he did to me :)

oh gosh this is soo sad, sounds like he is such a sweetie ! Life is just soo not fair !

Pepper is one loved little man :)

Villette, thank you for posting this. We can NEVER have enough reminders and to see it in Pepper's little face and read his story should be enough for all of us to keep forth with our efforts to end puppy mills and pet stores!

Villette, I remember reading about Pepper. He's such a brave little guy! Hugs to Pepper!

Poor baby.

So sad about little Pepper. I use to go into Pet Stores just to see the puppies, but now, I'm not going to give those stores one more minute of my time. From now on I will say a little prayer as I pass for all the little ones inside.

He looks like such a happy little guy. His story is so sad :(

Awh poor little thing...big hug and kiss from me and my guys..

Such a sad story...

This is so sad yet amazing that Pepper has outlived the vets predictions on how long he would live. Pepper has such a sweet face. I think this would be a very good post for anyone considering getting a puppy from a petshop to see.

AWW how cute pepper is ..sending love and light to his family and friends ,I hope your story touches one more .

Here's to many more birthdays for Pepper!

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Thanks for posting this V. Puppymills are horrible things. But Pepper is a testament to the fact that dogs have great souls and can survive anything if they are given the chance. MAJOR kudos to Kathy! And may God give Pepper many more birthdays to celebrate!

Ahhhh, personal stories always seem to tug at your heart just a little more, don't they? Pepper is a cutie pootie. I swear he's grinning in that second picture, little devil indeed. I hope his illness doesn't progress too quickly, but then we are never "ready" are we? Here's a toast to his wonderful momma who loves him so very much. Take care, Pepper.

Oh how sad...
 

Thanks for sharing this, Villette. Hopefully it's enough to stop all YT puppy shoppers to avoid Pet Stores, as the ultimate cost (cash, heartache, pain, agony, and loss) is way too great. :(

Kudos to you, Kathy, for carrying on with Pepper's care and I am sure you cherish every day with your little guy. All the best to you. :ghug:

Thank you for sharing that story! That is very sad! He looks very happy!

Oh that is so sad!
 

Brave little Pepper...hope he has many more happy birthdays!!! Hopefully anyone reading this will think twice before buying from a puppymill pet store! There are hardly ever happy ending that come from those dealings.

...a message from da Judge
 

Auntie V, thank you for putting my story up...momma never knows quite what to say anymore. We were sooooo happy when that terrible pet store was closed down! Momma says you help her so much just cuz she can talk to you and tell you when I am having a bad day. All I know is you send me kisses and huggy's AND you have 2 of the prettiest girls I know! I love you Auntie V! Love Sir Pepper Da Judge

For my part V...and all of you wonderful people, thank you. If Pepper's story saves just one puppy from having to live like this then it is worthwhile. I have finally found a Vet who is willing to treat him for the "small" stuff, like shots, ear aches and so on. She cares about my little man. Pepper's days are hard for the most part...but you would never know it watching him! His spirit is HUGE and he keeps trying even though all four legs are going different directions. It may take him a little extra time to get where he is going but he DOES get there. I have learned so much from my little love about not ever giving up! Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for caring about my little guy!

You are so welcome!!!
 

And thank you for hanging in there with little Pepper and not giving up on him! You are doing an awesome thing!

He is a lucky little guy to have someone that loves him as much as you do. I know that you consider yourself the lucky one.

He is adorable. I hope you have many more birthdays together.

Oh that poor baby!

so sad :(
 

Thanks for sharing this story with us.

Hopefully it will discourage one person from buying from a pet store.

Kathy, bless you for fighting the good fight and for giving this little guy of yours a happy life. He sure is a doll. I wish you both all the best. He certainly has touched my heart.

What an emotional thread - from sheer anger about the petstore/breeder to complete love that Kathy feels for her little one. Kathy you are an angel on earth and I know you feel so very special for being picked to show all the love in the world to Pepper. Not everyone is given this opportunity nor could they handle all the emotions you must feel but I believe God has given you your wings on earth. Of course Auntie Vee is another special person who has a hugh heart so Pepper I know you are surrounded in love.

Thank you Villette
 

Bless his little heart, what a darling he is!!

Thank you for sharing your story, i hope MANY many people that are looking for a puppy will read this story and think twice!

Kathy, keep up the good fight. You and Pepper are true WINNERS!

What a sad and happy thread this is. Sad that Pepper has to go through those horrible episodes and Happy that Kathy has the heart to care for Pepper. I will tell you that I do go into these Pet Stores in the Malls. I make it a point of telling people who are considering purchasing a puppy there, that they come from Mills and most if not all have some kind of health issue. people do listen when you tell them to ask about Where this little pup came from and who the breeders are etc... Kathy and Pepper you:heart to are the best..

GOOD FOR YOU ! :) That's the reason for this thread (and to share brave little Pepper) ...The only way people will learn to stay AWAY from the Pet Stores is by spreading the word.

In the years knowing Pepper and his family I really do admire the strength they have....many people would have given up on him a long time ago :(

When I look at my girls - I try to envision them stumbling... or not being able to walk :( and it just BREAKS MY HEART for him. His mom has been his angel and HE is a Hero....

and to be a totally HANDSOME little lover along with being brave is just an IRRESTIBLE mix....

Sir Pepper - The Girls send you MORE AND MORE Smoochies. We have your picture in our living room and are so proud to know you and your mom.:thumbup:

Ah, how sweet is he?! But that is the awful truth of what happens to unsuspecting buyers, who fall in love with an adorable face in a pet store, you have no idea WHERE and WHO they came from,, ( WE know, now) but most don't, That is why YOU must tell everyone you know,,about Puppy Mills,and stories just like this, most wanna Save the puppy and make it's life better (as we all do) But the endless vet bills, the heartache, the supply and demand will continue with the Millers, You buy a dog from a pet store, they'll have another litter to compensate... It will never end.....:mad:

Tell everyone you know, anyone who has loved an animal... tell them Pepper's story, print this out, email it to your addressbook,,, Awareness is key,and a sure way WE can make a difference.

Bless Pepper's little heart!

I've followed Pepper's story for some time now and I just want to say he is such a trooper! And his family are truly angels for giving him the wonderful life he's had so far. If any story has driven home the pet shop/puppy mill horror for me, it's Pepper's. He's always in my thoughts and prayers as is his family. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for posting this Villette! All we can hope to do is educate more and more people about petshops & puppy mills. And hopw someday there will be an end to this. God bless your friend Kathy & little Pepper.