"Pepper"
OLHS Donation Piece
Watercolor on Paper
12 x 12
SOLD
Another year has passed and I am on my way to Oxford-Lafayette Humane
Society to drop off more "walk-up" dogs and, this time, a few cats. It
seems that the abandoned animals along the highway have worsened. So, down
the road I go with six puppies and one cat with five kittens. I brought
along my camera so when I arrived I asked Cyd Dunlap, OLHS President (and
kennel attendant), if she had any current "residents" in mind for the 2009
portrait. Without hesitation she said, "I do - Pepper."
I came to learn that Pepper had been at OLHS about 6 months and no one
wanted to adopt her. Pepper had become comfortable as the "office dog" of
OLHS. and when I entered she bolted from behind the counter. She was "wide
open as the garden gate" as my grandmother used to say.
When we went outside, Pepper displayed that wild, scared, frantic darting
that I have come to know all too well and have termed the "abandoned dog"
syndrome. The main symptom of this syndrome is a total lack of trust of
humans. She darted around like a slick ball in a pinball machine. When she
became tried of one direction she would pivot and run in another, full
speed, ears flying, and eyes bulging. The only hesitation was a pot-bellied
pig she seemed to have befriended.
She was a sort of wire-haired schnauzer mutt, with long ears, a look of
intelligence, and an expression of undisputed quick wit. She ran around the
grounds and through each and every mud puddle. It seemed the puddle surfing
was premeditated. She obviously knew their locations. When Porky, the pig,
of course, would grunt, Pepper would run under the trailer (office) over to
his pen. She would stand still for almost 2 seconds. If I was fast I might
be able to snap a photo which I had no doubt would be just a blur. I did,
however, get plenty photos of Porky. This had clearly become a game and
Pepper was winning. I decided that the blur would have to do.
It seems that Pepper had been placed once with a young couple from Memphis
but after a week or so they brought her back. The couple had bought her a
new bed and new toys, but, Pepper would not come out from under the table.
She simply could not overcome her abandoned dog syndrome.
Upon her return, Pepper made fast friends with all the OLHS staff and
volunteers. She would sometimes go to lunch with them or just ride around on
errands. Everyone was happy to have her around and had come to accept that
she might be a permanent resident.
After several months, Pepper was taken home by one of OLHS's junior
supporters, Anna Porter Hall. Anna raises money for the shelter and on her
birthday, she has kids bring presents to the shelter in lieu of herself.
Mandy, Anna's mom, said that it has taken a lot of time and patience but
Pepper is finally able to love and trust us. Mandy forwarded photos of
Pepper in her new home. One was Pepper longing on a large bean bag; another
was Pepper lounging on a large ottoman (in front of the Christmas tree), and
several snuggling with Anna and their golden retriever. Mandy explains,
"When we walk in the door, her entire body wags. She is always so happy to
see us." Julie Davis, OLHS Shelter Director, thoughtfully adds, "Pepper has
a special place in all our hearts and well deserves her perfect home with
the Hall family."
I always make the trip to OLHS with dread and doubt about my cargo. But, I
am always grateful that OLHS is there for these poor discarded critters. On
this trip, as I was leaving, I passed a man that had walked in with several
dogs that he too had picked up on a highway. I heard him explaining how he
came to acquire the dogs and then I heard him say,
"God bless ya'll for what
you do."
Vicki Wood (c) 2009