Molly Update & Pepper Pass Day

Thanks to everyone who expressed concerns, prayers, and good thoughts for Molly. That means a lot. 

The pack waiting while we eat dinner, hoping we will share.

She's an elderly girl and last August she started having skin issues on her chin, muzzle, and eyes, a thick black scabby something. We checked for allergies, did bloodwork, tried diet changes, creams, prescription meds, and more, and nothing worked. 

Although occasionally it seemed itchy, it didn't really bother her very much but it worsened despite all the treatments we tried.  We get the biopsy results later this week and then we will go from there. And, she has an appointment with a dermatologist in June and we hope that that will help clear this up.

In the meantime, she continues to be a happy girl who loves her family and her food, although not necessarily in that order.

Molly is not the only dog who is happy with life. Pepper got to go to school and be with kids!

She may be a retired Seeing Eye Guide Dog, but she still has her guide dog chops and ignored all those tempting tennis balls looming above her!

Teacher Daughter Lisa lets her students earn "Pepper Passes" if they meet their reading goals, and this time 18 kiddos had done so!

Normally the kids come in by twos for ten minutes, but an hour and a half would've been too much for Pepper (and me), so Lisa sent them to me in groups. The girl second from the right is terrified of dogs but Pepper won her over. (I wish I could show you the smile on that girl's face as she stroked Pepper's fur. She is just beaming in this picture!)

And this boy's face, too. He was absolutely thrilled when Pepper laid her paw over his arm as he scratched her chest.

These two girls actually brought in a book to read to Pepper. 

The girl on the right had earned two Pepper Passes so she could spend more time with her. Isn't that sweet?

That book was hilarious! And while it is a picture book intended for younger students than Lisa's, the author had visited Lisa's school and given her a copy. I liked it so much, I may buy myself a copy to read to the Pony Pals and Cowpokes! 

Good job, Pepper! Not only did you succeed in encouraging students to make their reading goals, but you lessened a girl's fear of dogs. And, you ignored all 100 (yes, I counted) tennis balls at the same time!

Time for a pup cup, don't you think?