FURst Teenager!

 

Little Pepper is THIRTEEN!  

Last year (October time), we weren't sure if she'd make it through the year. She subsequently had cataract surgery and has suffered in 2023 through bilateral corneal ulcers, but is doing well on maintenance eye drops and allergy treatment. With at least partial vision restored, she seems more lively, greeting us when we return and, although having to go out more often and higher maintenance to be dog-sat, seems to have pretty good quality of life. She doesn't love to go on long walks anymore, and seems to have a hitch in her gait (? arthritis), but she still loves to eat and snuggle.

On her birthday (August twelfth), the kids helped make her a new "dog house" (for indoors, of course).

Iver was really excited to make her a "bone cake," which he made with stacked wheat bread and peanut butter, with kibble/ground up treats as a bed of "sprinkles." 

Niall and I also baked her a bone "cookie" with wheat flour, applesauce, chicken broth, and peanut butter.

We sang happy birthday to her and gave her lots of love today. We're not sure how many more birthdays she'll celebrate, but thirteen (91 in dog years!) is a big one!