Happy 17th birthday today Pepper! You shared your birth date with Lucy (who would have been 18 today), Lola (who would have been 15), Bammer (who would have been 19), and Meggy (who we think is about 8 now). We adopted each of you without knowing your true dates of birth, so we declared Lucy’s real birth date to be the official birthday of all of you Niven fur babies, so we could celebrate all of you together.
I have been so proud to be your mom, Pepper, and you have taught me so much about being a warrior and overcoming odds. When I adopted you, you had been so abused. How did I find you? Thank God for #ReneeOlson, the one who took action and rescued you from your abusers. I only had Lucy and Bammer then, and thought “I have enough love to help another animal too.” So I went online and saw a picture of you that Renee had posted, and I contacted her. She drove you to me, and you never left. My intention had been to only be an interim foster, but I couldn’t give you up once I met you.
My heart literally broke when I saw you. You had broken bones in your tail that had never been set (I don’t even want to think about how that happened) and someone had even shot you. I was horrified to have shotgun pellets surgically removed from your little body. You didn’t trust me or any human then, and I didn’t blame you. You had also been kept outside in the cold and rain without shelter – you, who have almost no hair for protection. I promised you then that you would never be cold again and that you would always be safe with me. I think that’s why you love heat and sunshine so much. I keep the fireplace on for you 24/7 now, and I love to watch you curled up in your bed in front of it.
Someone must have really hurt your head and ears. You were so afraid of my hand getting close. But I remember the first time you finally let me touch you there, it was a major breakthrough for us. It feels like soft velvet around your ears and neck, and I can’t get enough of it. I love the way you lay your head in my hands so trustingly now.
We have called you Grumpy a lot through the years, because you really protected yourself. Understandable, considering your start in life. Physically you always appeared fragile, delicate. But your spirit has always been fierce. You don’t take any crap off anyone. Yet you also have a softer side, and once someone gains your trust, you are all in. That’s another thing you taught me… to not stay in blame, but to take another chance on love.
It has been wonderful seeing you develop relationships with my friends and family through the years. You loved little Lucy and also tolerated Bammer. You looked up to Lola and respected her. But when we adopted Meggy, it was the first time I ever saw you fall truly, madly, deeply in LOVE. You followed her everywhere, and even let her share your bed. You acted like a puppy around her and it was your greatest love affair (even though you were neutered years ago). Shows that love does spring eternal!
I want to say a huge thanks to the humans in Pepper’s life who have loved him too. My daughter Jess Niven-Kohring has always given him such love and peace and he literally melts in her arms when she holds him close. But his fave person in the world right now is Melke Branding so it has been priceless having her visit us for the holidays. She cuddles him and fixes yummy concoctions to get him to eat like no one else, and while I drive she carries him in her arms to each vet visit. Teresa Velardi – Potter is one of his faves too, as are Rosy M Fierro and Luz Rosy Ortega. Thanks to my incredible house sitters Molly Moreno and Miles Vasquez for always taking such good care of him and the rest of the gang while I’m on location filming. Ryan has also been coming over every day for almost two years to help me give Pepper sub-Q fluids. We have all done everything we can to give him a great quality of life for as long as possible.
I have been through this before, helping beloved humans and animals in my life to have their best final chapter possible, for as long as they want it. But my mom said years ago that “a body knows when it’s had enough.” We are almost there with sweet Pepper. He will let me know but I see the changes in the past few days and I think he is getting closer. It is so hard to play God with this decision, so I just need to listen to Pepper and follow his lead. When the time comes he will be in my arms, surrounded by people who adore him, and he will feel safe and loved and not afraid. He will leave this world, but never leave our hearts. We are not quite there yet, and this time with him is precious.
I wanted to share Pepper’s story with you in the hope that Pepper’s huge spirit will inspire you to overcome whatever odds you too may be facing, and to give you strength to try again. Whatever has happened in your past does not have to define your future. Love truly does heal.
So… to all of my friends, forgive me for being absent lately. I have been staying home through the holidays and am not on social media or anything else right now while we have this most special and sacred time together. I also want to say thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
And please, if you can, open your heart and home to fostering or adopting a homeless pet. You will get far more than you will give. I promise it will be life-changing for you and them.
Happy New Year and God bless you and your family, from me and mine. 🙏
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