Blessed are the Peacemakers: Here’s Pepper
Except from Dog Tales by Teresa J. Herbic
I’m Pepper, a mini Swiss Mountain pup! I am a tiny black puppy with
some white on my face and body. Born in a small Lathrop neighborhood, my
ancestors came from Switzerland. Many of my descendants happened to be farm dogs.
The first of my breed journeyed to America in the late 1960s.
I’m the runt of a fuzzy pile of newborn Swiss pups known as
Entlebucher Mountain Dogs, the smallest of the Swiss Mountain breeds, weighing
in at one mighty pound. Not much bigger than a human hand, I would imagine. People
tell me that I may grow to be about 16 inches tall.
Did you know that Swiss Mountain dogs can have seven to eight pups in
a litter? La Corumba! That’s a heaping heavy pile!
My birth mom had eight of us
so it tipped the scale. Showing unrivaled spirit, as the last in the heap, I rose
to the top to meet my new family. Although, my mom and dad already had a dog
named Rusty, they couldn’t resist adopting me, anyway. They chose me out of the
gate so to speak. They said I was a keeper. Although tiny and wobbly, I offered
them bounds of entertainment. They giggled as they watched me try to stand on
my own two feet for the first time. Although I hesitated initially, I soon
learned how to take a proper stance. I loved the attention!
My job if I were a farm girl would be to serve as a cattle dog.
Because I’m not equipped for the mission, I found myself managing city life.
Our family had a single home, a shed out back and a play hut on the north end
of the property. A small creek existed for discovering and for taking nature
baths. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs love children, cats and other animals as
long as they are friendly. I especially adored my new brothers Ray and Rusty,
sisters Teresa and Puff Ball, and neighbors the Buckridge family. They welcomed
me with open arms.
At only a month old, I doubled in size. However, still pint size. I publicized
my massive vocal cords with a little howling and yodeling. It felt like the opening
act at the Sydney Opera House with a real musical call to the wild. You know
this Opera House did a performance for canines and their humans? That’s right
they did a special concert tailored for dogs and their parents. The event only
lasted 20 minutes. They say dogs have short attention spans. I’m just guessing
they just don’t want their ears blown out either!
Determined to play, listen to occasional performances and enjoy life’s
offerings, I also required a lot of down time because newborn puppies as you may
know sleep up to 15 hours a day. Now, that’s a real snooze fest, friends!
Talking about your beauty rest!
