WSU has a Pet Memorial

WSU sent us a letter and brochure about their Pet Memorial Program in the College of Veterinary Medicine because our vet on Queen Anne had made a donation in Pepper's name. I was so touched at the time that I'm getting all weepy again thinking about it. I just sent them a photo of Pepper and a little blurb about him to join the other beloved pets that are memorialized on their website. Here's the link:

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/PetMemorial/Default.aspx

Saddest of News

Pepper, formerly known as "The Devil Dog", more recently considered the sweetest schipperke in the world, took his last little walk yesterday morning and then collapsed, all used up.  Certainly, he had more close calls and adventures in his sixteen years than most dogs.  He survived a night of frigid winter weather in coyote country in New Mexico,  he got run over by a car in front of our Seattle house and survived with just some sore spots and, as Jacob remembers, "the shit squished out of him", he led all the dogs at the off-leash area under or over the fence and down the cliff and back again -- these are just a few memories of a most independent and high spirited dog who could never ignore an interesting scent.  We buried him in a beautiful spot overlooking Puget Sound.  It's been really painful.  Anyone who has truly loved a pet knows.