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A Dog Like Old Pepper

When we were kids and the snow began to fall with enough intensity to cover the fading grass — and maybe school was canceled — we would pile on layers of clothes in anticipation of sledding. Often this included mismatched gloves and even boots of various sizes. Sharing was a common theme in a house with so many feet to shod and hands to cover. Scarves and hats were plentiful thanks to an aunt who loved to crochet.

Waddling our way to the neighbor’s hilly front yard, we would pull our wooden sleds and metal saucers behind us. If the snow was the dry, fluffy type there would be a slight swishing sound to accompany the silence created by the now growing layer of heaven-sent snow. But if it was that heavy, wet stuff, our energy was nearly depleted just making it to the hillside.

Then it was downhill all the way. However, something happened each and every time we slid down that hill. Pepper, our dalmatian-mix hound dog would chase our sleds down the hill and bite onto our pant legs as if to slow us down. Maybe he didn’t like us sledding at all judging by his insistence to follow us, growling as he went.

And when we reached the bottom of the hill, he would pounce on us, wagging tail and licking our snow-covered faces. This scene would be repeated several times, each with that rascal of a canine chasing after us. I’m not sure who was most tired in the end, us or the dog.

Don’t get me wrong, Pepper was no Lassie or Rin Tin Tin, but he was a great companion to all the kids. He was considered my oldest brother’s dog. At least that’s the way the rest of us looked at Pepper. He was fiercely protective of all of us. A stranger could not approach the yard or the door without a stern warning from that dog. Once he actually went through the screen door after another dog that dared step paw on the front porch.

I’m not sure what made that dog so loyal. He was never the center of attention in a house with so many occupants. He didn’t have a designated bed. He drank from the toilet. He slept wherever and whenever he could find an open space. When he was still spry enough, he sprang up onto my brother’s bed for a night’s rest.

Even when another puppy, a kitten and a couple of rabbits entered the household, Pepper remained a loyal companion and put up with each menacing newcomer. He endured babies pulling on his ears and cold baths under the hose in the yard. His patience grew thin as his dappled coat began to gray and his gait slowed. I’d like to think he had a pretty good life with us.

Sometimes I wish Pepper was still here, grabbing onto our adult pant legs and pulling us back from poor decisions and life’s bruises. If only one more time he could chase away the bads guys and make us feel safe. There was something about that tail wagging as he greeted us that made things right with the world even on the coldest days.

Every kid should have a dog like Pepper.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.

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