Pepper	Breed: Shepherd Mix
	Age/Sex: Male
	Pepper (the dog) recently lost the two loves of his life. Ms. Jacqueline Frazer was a county library employee who dearly loved her dog and cat and passed away in January. Billy was his cat friend of almost 16 years and he passed away last week. Pepper is beside himself and in desperate need of a permanent golden years home. The wonderful woman who took them both in January is going in for major surgery in a week and will not be able to care for him. We have searched intensely for months to find them a home and now are down to the wire. He’s been through so much and just deserves a safe, loving place to relax in his old age. Pepper, the dog, is very loving and calm and approximately 40 pounds. He’s always had a yard to run around in but is working on being trained on a leash. He enjoys it immensely and is making a better walking companion each day. He is completely housetrained. Pepper is deaf. He knows many hand commands and is learning more all the time. He always wants to be at your side. All their vet information is available to a new, loving owner. UPDATE: 6/10/10 Pepper is temporarily with someone while MaryBeth has her surgery.  We are still looking for a permanent placement for him. Update 6/18/10 Pepper’s current situation is not ideal since he has to remain outside in the heat all day—however, he’s on a screened in porch with a fan.  He sheds too much to bring him in since the caretaker has carpet and a son with allergies.  He adjusted very quickly to his new surroundings and hasn’t tried to dig out of the fenced-in yard. In fact the only digging he’s done is when he smells a mole—then he digs to China!  He may be deaf, but his sense of smell is very much intact. Pepper was de-flea’d so now has several minor irritations on his back that seem to be healing.  If he was an inside dog and was brushed daily his coat would be much better.  He’s quite low-maintenance—has not pee’d on the porch at all (even though there are plants out there), but does bark quite a lot at the neighbor’s dogs.  When the caretaker claps her hands he does respond, and turns to look at her, so he appears to have some hearing.  He loves being petted and brushed.  He definitely wants companionship and wants to be inside during thunder & lightning and during fireworks.  Otherwise, he seems quite content on the porch.  But he’s old and I’m concerned about the heat this summer since he was always a housedog when he was with his original owner. Pepper’s current caretaker leaves on a 2-week vacation June 30^th.  Her 17-yr-old son will have the responsibility of taking care of him in her absence, but will do what’s necessary if another home can’t be found for him by then.
	Contact: Alicia Kohanski kohanskia@stlucieco.org 772-621-9447 or Fran Frazer 772-577-2628  Post Update: 6/19/10