Pepper

[linda040899]

Friday afternoon, I adopted a second small dog who I call Pepper. I've been looking for a good companion for Sam when I'm not home and I'd not found anything until I came across Pepper at our local Animal Control shelter.

Photo: http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h294/linda040899/Miscellaneous/Pepper.jpg

Pepper is roughly a year old and was picked up as a stray. Being pretty much a puppy, I call him my "wild child," a bundle of energy that just doesn't know when to stop until he wears himself out! He's basically a diamond in the rough which needs a lot of work, but he's a quick learner, especially when there's a treat involved! The downside to Pepper is that he's heartworm positive but I knew this going into the adoption and he's currently under vet care for the problem.

What does Sam think? Sam thinks Pepper is neat and loves to have a companion to run around the yard with! Sam is 8 and the exercise will be good for him!

[thebubbleking]

yay!!

[LeeBee]

So sweet, I love the name ;)
Good luck with your new pup!

[wilkiecoco]

What a sweet face!! Congratulations on the new addition!!!:)

[bookworm0550]

oh, pepper is sure a cute dog

[michael]

Awww.....:blush:.....He sure is a real cutey. ... Then again, i've seen that sweet innocent look enough to know, its probably a good thing he doesn't have wings. .. Best wishes for Pepper. .. I'm sure he'll smooth out in no time.........:)

[jk1944]

So cute! Congratulations, Linda!

[linda040899]

Thanks, everyone!
I know I made the right choice. He feels like a family member already. He found a toy that I bought for Sam but Sam doesn't play with it. It's plush bone that sqeaks when he puts the right amount of pressure in the center. He's been running around with that bone and it's been squeaking all day!!!

Pepper took over Sam's bed so I found a new bed for Sam. Drs Foster and Smith have a memory foam one on clearance and it's just adorable. Hopefully, Sam will like it. I figured since he's older, a comfortable bed would be appreciated. This is what it looks like: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p-36040.jpg

[linda040899]

Before I left the shelter with Pepper, I asked if they had treated him for Kennel Cough and they said no but that didn't mean he was home free.

In fact, far from it. The cough started yesterday and medication began this afternoon. Sam was at the shelter longer than Pepper because Sam was already microchipped and the shelter was obligated to search for the rightful owner. He was treated for Kennel Cough before he came home, but Sam had it, too. It's very common so this does not surprise me.

Treatment for the heartworms starts on Thursday, just as scheduled.

[Chickobee]

What a cutie! I love the little dog bed and the puppy in it too. I hope Sam likes it.

Congratulations on finding a friend for Sam. Sounds like another success story.

[linda040899]

Funny thing. The dog in the picture of the dog bed looks very similar to Sam, but that's not the reason for the purchase....... :)

Sam's a very hard working dog all day long and he deserves a comfortable place to sleep! He chases seed moths 24/7 and he's made quite a dent in the population around here! Good, Sam!

[Chickobee]

I'll start worrying about you when you have as many dogs as you do birds!

Dogs always seem to do better when they have a playmate. When you have time it would be great so see a photo of them together.

Do heartworms go away with treatment?

[linda040899]

Two dogs are the limit for my household! The fact that they are both small dogs is a BIG plus!

In Pepper's case, the heartworms are easier to treat because he's so young. None have matured enough to make their home in his heart so it's a matter of killing them. Game plan is to put him on a heartworm preventative and that should do it in about 6 months time. I thought the Kennel Cough development was going to delay the heartworm treatment but apparently it won't. He spends Thursday at my vet's office so that he can be monitored all day for any reactions to the initial treatment. Physically, Pepper is in very good condition, inspite of being abandoned as a stray as such a young age. His biggest problem is emotional and it's fear of separation, although Sam is a BIG help with that!

[Eliza]

Oh, that little pup has the most ADORABLE face... So glad that you are able to open your heart and home to such a sweet critter!

[linda040899]

Pepper went to the vet's office yesterday to start his heartworm treatment. He's on a preventative but needed observation yesterday because a preventative given to a heartworm positive dog can be fatal. Pepper did just fine.

He's on Heartguard for the next 12 months (one tablet/month) and then he goes back for his annual test. This was easy and not expensive, probably because of his age.

Has it slowed him down at all??? Nope!

[jen]

awww what a cutie!
You are such a good mom :)

I hope the heart worm and cough clear up quickly poor sweetie!
big hugs!