Once Rescued from a Disaster Zone, Pepper Is Thriving in a Safe and Loving Home!

Last July, at the urgent request of Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Helping Paws Across Borders, our disaster response team evacuated 40 homeless dogs from animal welfare organizations in Santa Fe and Sandoval counties to free up critical space and resources for animals displaced by the wildfires and burn scar flooding in New Mexico.

These dogs were transported to our emergency facility outside of the disaster zone where they received care from medical, behavior and shelter professionals. From there, many of the dogs, like 1-year-old Pepper, were transported to the ASPCA Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Columbus, Ohio, to find homes.

Meeting Her Match

When Pepper came into our care, she was perfectly healthy and had already been spayed at her previous shelter. That meant that we just had to help her find a loving home and provide her with daily care until that time came.

“Lots of love and kisses” were also a big part of Pepper’s stay, according to Dr. Maggie Joel, a veterinarian at the CRC.

Two months after Pepper’s arrival, Robin R. reached out to the CRC’s Animal Placement Coordinator, Taylor McLagan, in hopes of adopting a dog.

Robin had recently come across a social media post that featured a dog who at the time, was available for adoption at the CRC. After connecting with Taylor, Robin learned that the dog she was interested in had just been adopted by another family. However, Taylor had another dog in mind , ­one that she thought she would be a great fit for Robin — and boy was she right!

“Oh my goodness, the first time I saw Pepper, I knew she was meant to be in my family,” recalled Robin. “She ran into the room, grabbed a little doll and crawled into my arms. It was love at first sight! She picked us as much as we picked her.”

Taylor and her team also helped facilitate a meeting between Robin’s resident dog, Copper, and Pepper.

“It was also love at first sight,” Robin told us.

Madly in love, Robin took Pepper home that very same day.

A New Start

Pepper adored her new home from the moment she stepped inside.

“Though, you could tell having a home was new for her,” said Robin.

While these experiences may have been new to her, Pepper immediately became part of the family routine, going on walks, joining everyone on the sofa for family movie nights and sleeping at the foot of Robin and her husband’s bed.

Pepper is also best friends with her new doggy brother, Copper.

“We call them the twins because they are always together!” Robin explained.

After some time in her new home, Pepper started to let her true personality shine, and as it turns out, it’s the personality of a lap dog!

“She loves to sit on your lap!” Robin laughed. “She is very heavy footed and a little clunky, so she just plops right on down.”

Some of Pepper’s other favorite activities include following Robin and her husband around the house, trying to carry everything for them and being in the backyard or at the park.

“We live by a high traffic park, and she adores sitting on the bench and watching the world go by,” Robin told us.

Completing the Family

When thinking about the fact that Pepper was removed from a disaster zone in New Mexico and is now living in a kind, safe and comfortable home enjoying movie nights with the family, Robin and her family get emotional.

“Pepper has completed our family,” said Robin. “We were shocked that Pepper had no interested adopters before us. She is truly the perfect little girl. She loves her life and being a part of a family — and it shows. We feel like we hit the jackpot with her and like to think she saved us instead of us saving her.”

Robin adds, “My husband and I are empty nesters and recently lost our 9-year-old Mastiff and 15-year-old Chi-weenie. We love Copper and Pepper and feel like they give us a purpose.”