Acquiring a Service Dog: Pepper!

I've written a lot about Pepper over the years that she has been with us, so many of you are familiar with her story already. Still, I wanted to collect some of those stories together and write a quick synopsis of her life as a Seeing Eye Dog and then as our pet.

Guiding Sarah

Pepper was born and bred at The Seeing Eye, the oldest guide dog training facility in the United States. After time with a puppy raiser, she began tests of intelligence and obedience that were required for her to pass before begin training for what was intended to be her life's work as a Seeing Eye Dog.

Because a Seeing Eye Dog's partner is so dependent upon their dog to keep them safe and get them places (including making independent decisions) many of the puppies do not make it through the initial tests or the training for harness. These dogs often become service dogs in other capabilities.

Pepper completed all those tests and that rigorous training, passed her final exams, and was deemed ready to be paired with her partner. 

That partner was Sarah Blake LaRose who spent three weeks at The Seeing Eye where she was paired with Pepper. Together they began training to work as partners. 

From puppy to harness is an expensive process, currently costing between $50,000 - $60,000 per dog. Costs are covered almost completely by donations.

Pepper's sister, Paige, also made it through all the tests and training and was paired with a woman named Kathy. 

Pepper's Seeing Eye tattoo in her ear; the first number is her mother and the second is Pepper's birth order.

Pepper spent a very busy year with Sarah. Sarah was a minister and she was also working on her doctorate at Anderson University. Pepper went everywhere with her, guiding her through tasks associated with those two activities along with the day to day tasks of grocery shopping and running errands.

Getting a lift to another building at Anderson University one day.

It all suddenly came crashing down. Pepper collapsed. Sarah knew something was terribly wrong and she got Pepper the high level of care that she needed. No one knew that Pepper had been born without adrenal glands and so she had no cortisol to help her handle stress, including the stress of guiding Sarah through all her activities and commitments.

They discovered that Pepper had Addison's Disease, and she was in a full blown Addison's crisis and nearly died. Thanks to Sarah's quick thinking, Pepper survived.

But, she had to be retired immediately or the continuing stress would kill her.

A New Life with Craig & Me

I cannot imagine what it was like for Sarah during that time. She was losing the dog who gave her the freedom to work, study, and move around her community. To live an independent life. And, she was losing a dog that she loved and who was a close companion to her. It had to have been very difficult.

Sarah and I have a mutual friend, Kathy Nimmer, who is visually impaired herself. Sarah told Kathy that she needed to retire Pepper and was looking for a good retirement home, asking if Kathy knew anyone who would take good care of her.

Kathy recommended us.

Pepper off duty and playing with Sarah in their basement.

Kathy called me, explained the situation, and asked if we might be interested in rehoming Pepper with us. Zeus had been gone for 8 years - he had left such a hole in our lives that we simply had been unable to consider getting a new dog. But we decided that we were ready to try loving a dog that deeply again.

So, we spoke to Sarah who invited us to come over so she and Pepper could meet us.

It was love at first sight for us all.

Sarah interviewed us and then we asked our own questions of her. When we finished, we confirmed that we would be happy to take Pepper into our home. Sarah replied that she had three more couples to interview and that she would let us know when she decided who she felt would be the best placement for Pepper.

A few days later, we got the call that Pepper was ours.

Another black Lab service dog, albeit a much smaller Lab and one with different service training from Zeus. We were thrilled. 

Our life with Pepper had begun.

Stay 'tooned!

"You're Here!"

This week I spent a morning on Purdue's campus at the medical school building speaking to first year medical students. I'd done the same thing last year, and had been surprised that one of my former students, Kyle O., was in that group of grad students. We'd had a nice reunion and quick catch up back then, and I had my fingers crossed that I might see him again this year. (See below for more about that day.)

But, since I was speaking to first year med students and Kyle was now a second year, I knew that it was pretty unlikely.

When I was finished, I stepped out into the hallway, now crowded with students, and began making my way through the crush to the elevators. Suddenly I heard,

"You're HERE!!" 

and Kyle was standing in front of me with his arms wide open for a hug. 

"I was hoping I'd run into you today!" he cried when we stepped apart.

"I was, too, but since you aren't a first year med student, I didn't think I would," I replied. "Why are you here now?"

Kyle looked a little sheepish. "Well, I mentored the new first year med students last week when they arrived and helped them get settled into the program, so..."

(I was not surprised. Kyle was that kind of helpful sort of guy back in 4th and 5th grade, too.)

We stood there chatting a bit and he shared that he'd decided that his specialty was going to be orthopedic surgery. And then his his eyes twinkled as he grinned and said,

"You've already had everything replaced, so I guess I'll never be your surgeon."

"Oh, yeah?" I retorted. "I still have one real hip left. I'll save it for you, okay?"

And we laughed together, had a few more hugs, and parted.

I dug through my photos when I got home and found this one of Kyle speaking at an end of the year surprise banquet the parents had thrown for me in 2012. (Go here to read about that.)

At the end of the banquet, the kids had swarmed me for a group hug and there's a much younger (and MUCH shorter) Kyle visible in the crowd!

Memories that I treasure but that also make me wish I were still in the classroom. I taught some of the nicest, sweetest kids on the planet and I miss those days.
 

I hope I am asked back next year to speak to the first year med students again. I enjoy it and both times have found the med students to be caring men and women who are anxious to learn.

And  I sure hope that I run into Kyle again if I am asked to return. Seeing someone that you spent two years with in the classroom, someone you came to love and care about, is awesome. Especially when you get a glimpse into their adult life and discover that, yes, they ARE the great people you thought they were. Kyle is all that and more.

Here's that account from last year and the first time I'd bumped into Kyle since he was in elementary school.

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August 13, 2025

I spent the morning on Purdue's campus speaking to first year medical students on the topic, "The Asymmetrical Relationship between Doctor and Patient." Kind of a complicated topic but essentially the point was to help the medical students better see the patient's perspective.

As I introduced myself, I mentioned that my background was in Education and that I'd taught locally. Not expecting an affirmation, I asked, "Were any of you in my class or go to Hershey Elementary?"

To my surprise, a hand went up and a voice I knew said, "Me! I was in your class."

He held up his name placard, and my jaw dropped. Kyle O., a really great kid who was in my class for 4th and 5th grade.

And who is now a whole lot taller than he was twelve years ago. (Later during the morning, someone asked a rhetorical question, "Where were you twelve years ago?" and Kyle piped up, "I was in Mrs. I's class." Hah!)

After the session was over, Kyle and I caught up just a bit before he had to go to the next one. I went home smiling - it always does my heart good to see a former student.

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I'll share one last post on acquiring a service dog (it's Pepper's turn!) and then move on to other things that have been happening, including the Breyer "decorator" I found on eBay.

Stay 'tooned!

Acquiring a Service Dog: Zeus's Last Days

Originally written December 16, 2010 for my Teachinmama blog, the beginning part of this post is a harbinger of the Dogs of Our Lives series that I write now.

For background, I'd just had my first knee replacement and was home for the month of December recovering. Every day I sent an email to my students to let them know I was thinking of them and missed them. Often that email centered around Zeus's presumed antics while he kept me company as I recovered.

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Hi, Folks!

Another two hour delay?? There isn't as much excitement about a delay or a snow day when you are already home on a 34 DAY delay. But I hope you enjoyed the extra free time, and please, please, PLEASE be careful when waiting for the bus - the roads are slick!

I continue to do well. Today I wrapped Christmas gifts - with 16 Isenbargers, that's a lot of gifts to wrap! Because of the surgery, I am very, very slow at wrapping. Guess I need those 34 days to get it all done!

I could NOT believe Zeus today. He is working very hard to persuade me to just stay home and not go back to work. You know what he did? Look at this!

He knows we do Classics in class, so he is reading one here at home. His choice? The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!  He loves my pop-up version, and the Emerald City page is his favorite. Sorry, puppy, but just because you are a gifted and talented dog and can read, that doesn't mean I want to miss out on my students' classics reports and projects!

But Zeus wasn't done showing me that I need to be with him, and that he is indispensible to me. As I was wrapping those Christmas presents, I happened to look over to where I thought Zeus was napping in his bed. Can you BELIEVE what that crazy dog is doing?

Those are Zach's, Matthew's, Zane's, Nick's, Emma's, and Kamryn's Classics reports. Zeus snagged them off my desk and is trying to grade them for me. Needless to say, I had to explain to him that the "Zeus Pawprint of Approval" is simply NOT the same thing as an A, and besides, how on earth do I average Pawprints of Approval into the gradebook?

Zeus still was not done in trying to be helpful. Knowing that I cannot walk on snow or ice, and so none of our outdoor holiday decorations have been hung, he decided to dig through the storage tubs and see if he could be of assistance.

The first thing he pulled out were my GINORMOUS ornaments that I hang from the shepherds crooks in the yard.

Sounds like a nice thing for him to do, right? But think for a moment. What do dogs do with balls? Yep, you guessed it, they chase them, they chew them, they run around with them....  Zeus could NOT resist playing with them, and so I took them away, thanked him for offering, and suggested he try stringing the outdoor lights for me.

BIG MISTAKE. First Zeus plugged them in to make sure they worked and that none of the bulbs were burnt out. (I thought he looked rather handsome with cheery lights twinkling around him.)

Then he tried to untangle them. The more he worked, the worse the tangle became. Look at him smiling - he thought that was pretty funny! I had to take them away from him, too, and told him we'd let Mr. I. hang them. Zeus pouted a bit, but I gave him a Christmas cookie and that made him feel better. (I ate one, too - yummy!)

Zeus finally gave up on trying to prove how much I needed him. He's snoozing by my bed right now (does he ever SNORE - he snores louder than Mr. I.!!)  and we are both waiting for Lisa to arrive. She just texted me that her flight had landed in Indianapolis and she was on her way to West Lafayette. Hey, maybe SHE will hang those decorations outside! I'll ask her when she gets here.

I sure miss you all, and I wish I could high-five, fist bump, and hug you! I am hoping to come next week for a short visit - it will depend on how far I can walk. I am practicing here at home, so cross your fingers.

Love, 

Mrs. I.

P.S. Zeus says "hi"! Well, actually, he said "ARF" but he MEANT "hi." :D

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Sadly, Zeus passed away just four days later on December 20, 2010. I wrote the following message to my family:

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Having my knee replacement surgery now instead of June provided me with 3 weeks at home with Zeus, time I would not have had had I been teaching. That time is a treasure to me. He was my constant companion - where I was, he was. I even made up funny stories about him for my classroom, and he kept me company as well as made me laugh.

And, Dad and I are very aware that we had a whole extra year with Zeus that we never planned on. He was diagnosed with cancer in November, 2009, and yet he lived another 13 months. Not only did all of you get to see him last Christmas, but you saw him this summer for the weddings and you again saw him at Thanksgiving. What a gift to us all it was to have that extra time with Zeus.

Dad and I are at peace, although we are very sad at the same time. Recently I heard a talk where someone discussed the scripture, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." The point the speaker made, though, was not the usual one. He said that, if you are mourning, then you have loved deeply, and the blessing is that you have had such a great love. 

I think that is applicable here. We loved Zeus deeply, and we are blessed to have had him and that love for him. And most definitely he returned that love. He was quite a dog and part of our family. And while we mourn, we also find joy not only in the memories, but in knowing we will be with him again.

Love you all,

Mom

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Rest in peace, Zeus.

You were some dog!

Acquiring a Service Dog: Zeus, the Neighborhood's Dog

Zeus enjoyed being retired. Frequently I'd take him to school with me and, out of habit, he would buzz through my classroom and sniff every kid's desk. No narcotics were ever found, but man, those kids liked to hoard their Goldfish crackers! 

Craig and Zeus were very close, much like Pepper and I are. 

Craig would walk Zeus every day at least once. They'd go all over the neighborhood, chatting to folks as they went. Soon, Zeus was very well known by the people who lived in Arbor Chase.

I wrote about that in my Teachinmama blog on May 21, 2010:

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Zeus truly is the "neighborhood dog." We are among those who moved into the neighborhood as it first was being built, and, even though the neighborhood has grown tremendously, since Craig walks Zeus every day at least once, just about everyone knows them both. 

Zeus has a "fan club" - kids who drop by and knock on the door, asking if they can play with him. Anna is the "president" - she'll even bring him treats or come right in and get them out of his jar! Her brother, Ian, and her mom are Zeus-lovers, too. 

Zeus sporting a dusty handprint on his head left behind by Ian who had been playing in the dirt and had stopped to pat him..

Anna's mom, Lisa, once invited Zeus to a backyard BBQ they were having (Craig and I were not included in the invitation!) I was outside watering flowers and they were celebrating a friend who had been battling cancer. Lisa called across the yards, "Can Zeus come over?" and when I assented, off he rocketed - he knew there was a burger waiting for him!

He's been battling cancer himself, is riddled with lumps, and has arthritis. Taking walks is too much for him - he makes it clear that he just wants to stay home and off his feet. No longer do he and Craig wander the neighborhood, chatting to the neighbors, being petted (er, Zeus, that is) and catching up on the neighborhood news.

I just got a Facebook message from one of the neighbors who has lived here the longest and knows Zeus well. She said that several of them were down at the lake, sitting in the pavilion and enjoying the evening. The conversation came around to Zeus, and a few people were asking if he was still alive. She wanted to know how he was, and so I sent her back a message that his spirits were good (as was his appetite) but that the arthritis had made it so he just did not want to take walks.

I am deeply touched that he has made his mark in the hearts of our neighbors so deeply that, when there hasn't been a recent "Zeus sighting," they wonder how he is and what he is doing. And not only do they just wonder, they actually make the effort to contact us and ask.

That is the sign of a dog who is beloved not only by his family, but those around him, too.

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Speaking of family, Zeus loved when family came to visit.

Playing catch with snowballs thrown by Kyle and Braden.

Camping in our back yard with Curt, JC, and Trinity.

Cuddling up with Braden.

Helping Granny Slash supervise Emily and Cole as they played a game of bocce in the front yard.

Distracting Boompa from shoveling snow.

Hanging out by the table during Thanksgiving dinner and hoping someone might share. (Of course, they did!)

Feeling well enough to head over to the park for a bit.

It was hard to see Zeus growing older and the arthritis and cancer were starting to impact his quality of life. Meds helped a lot, but we knew our time together was growing to a close.

Stay 'tooned.

 

Acquiring a Service Dog: Zeus's Story

"Is that Zeus??" came the incredulous query. When I nodded in affirmation (and puzzlement), the student teacher who had poked his head into my classroom to peek at Zeus continued.

"Man, we HATED that dog. He was always busting someone out at school."

And he turned and continued down to his own classroom. I stood there and fumed, thinking, "Well, of COURSE he did! He was doing his job!"

As mad as that comment had made me, I also knew that it was because of that kind of reaction to Zeus and how well he was doing his narcotics sniffing job that we ended up with him.

Zeus was a retired narcotics dog and had had a highly successful career, finding tens of thousands of dollars of illegal drugs hidden in cars, trucks, backpacks, and buildings year after year after year. He was so good and well known in his community that the police station had begun receiving death threats against him. 

So, when hip displasia began making it difficult for Zeus to hop in and out of the squad car, the police force absolutely did NOT want Zeus to be retired locally. As Officer Tim later told me, "We were afraid his new owners would let Zeus out into their back yard and someone with a grudge against him would drive by and shoot him."

Death threats - a price he paid for serving well.

Sarah was Officer Tim's back yard neighbor and she had a real soft spot for Zeus. Learning of the police department's dilemma, she told Tim that her parents lived in another town where he would be safe and that we would love to have Zeus.

And thus we became Zeus's retirement home. (The story in Sarah's words is below.)

He was a magnificent dog - taller than Tammo and with a much heavier build. He was also a sweet and friendly boy who loved being with people.

Zeus was very sensitive to those with whom he came into contact - my mother was early into widowhood, and Zeus would choose to sit with her over other family members whenever she was with us. (Here she is celebrating her 80th birthday with Zeus by her side. Look how tall he is!)

When a group of my students came by trick or treating and we posed for a photo together, Zeus deliberately came over and sat with the little sister who had been straining to get to him and pet him since she had arrived at our home.

She leaned over to hug him just as the camera snapped - and lucky me, I have this photo that will always remind me of his sensitivity, gentleness, and kindness with that little girl.

Zeus looked out for me more than once, too. When I'd had my first knee replacement and was recovering at home, 

he insisted on staying by my side during that time. Such a good companion!

Sarah shared her version of how he came to be our dog back in 2010 in my Teachinmama blog. 

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January 6, 2010 (written by Sarah shortly after Zeus' cancer diagnosis)

Because I have a feeling Zeus is not going to be with us much longer, I thought I would post a little something about him today.

Meet Zeus, former K9. Seriously. When we lived in Illinois, his handler lived behind us. I would always see this GREAT big Lab hanging in the backyard, looking forlorn. As I got to know the neighbors, I found out that the wife did not like dogs, and thus Zeus was an outdoor dog. 

One evening, Zeus started barking around 1:30 AM. JC was a baby, and I remember waking up suddenly knowing that something was wrong. When I heard Zeus's bark, I knew immediately that it was a DANGER bark. 

Sure enough our neighbor the cop had come out and let Zeus into our backyard (knowing that we would be grateful!) There was a commotion, and we saw a flashlight and heard some crashing. 

It turns out that Zeus had seen a prowler in our backyard by a window and had let Tim know there was a problem. From that day on, I knew that I would return the favor to Zeus as he had prevented something potentially serious from happening.

About a year later, Tim told me that the police department was going to retire Zeus as his hips were giving him some trouble. He happened to mention that they were looking for a home. I perked up and thought of my parents who had not had a dog since our beloved Duffy had passed away a few years earlier. 

I mentioned it to my parents who kind of gave a "we'll see" response. At first. Within a few days, my parents had adopted Zeus and taken him home to live his new and improved life. No more outside dog!!!

Since that time Zeus has made a special place in all our hearts. He has saved my sister from danger in a gas station, has a fan club,

Lavanya, a member of the neighborhood Zeus Fan Club,

 and has earned the title "My Favorite Zeus."

Zeus, Trinity, and her favorite stuffy, Zeus.

For a long time, black was Trinity's favorite color because that was the color of Zeus. 

This dog is seriously special. I am grateful to have had a part in bringing him into our lives. It will be really hard to say goodbye for good.

Love, 

Sarah

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That "saved my sister from danger in a gas station" Sarah mentioned? As a newly minted driver, Jessica had pulled into a gas station to fill up the car. Unfortunately, that gas station was in a part of town where there was a lot of crime and drug problems. The station itself had had its own share of problems with crime. It was NOT a safe place to stop.

A man approached her at the pump and came on strong and not in a good way. Terrified, Jessie ran into the station's building and called me for help.

Grabbing Zeus for our safety, I jumped into my car and broke speed records to get to her. Taking his leash in hand, he and I barreled inside the station and escorted her safely back to her car. 

I knew Zeus would not attack anyone (although I am sure he would have defended us if needed) but the people inside the station didn't know that - they just saw this huge black dog on a leash and were intimidated enough to stay away from us.

Thank you, Zeus. That was a very scary time and I still get scared writing about that incident!

There is more to share about Zeus coming. Stay 'tooned!

New Series: How We Acquired Two Retired Service Dogs

I have been asked many times as to how we acquired a retired service dog and "how do I go about getting one, too?" In this short series, I will share how that happened for us, tell the dogs' stories (as if you didn't already know Pepper's, hah!), and shine a little light on what it's like to have a service dog as a pet.

We have had two retired service dogs:

Zeus, a retired police dog whose job was to search for drugs and other narcotics,

and, of course, Pepper, a Seeing Eye dog.

Honestly, both dogs fell into our laps. Neither time were we looking for a dog and both times we were approached by someone who knew us and asked if we would be interested in possibly being a dog's retirement home.

I will always be grateful that we were asked and that our reply was that we would. These dogs have blessed our lives.

Pepper's story is pretty well known here as I have shared a lot about her since she joined our family in 2019. Zeus is a different story, though. His story was told on my first blog, Teachinmama, and in part on his blog, My Favorite Zeus. (Yep, Zeus has his own blog, just as Pepper and Abby do.)

I'll share a little more about him in the next entry of this series. You'll like him. Zeus was a magnificent dog and, as Craig still says, "he was a friend."

Zeus doing his best Oliver Twist impression and trying to get Kyle to share his dinner. "More, Sir!"

There are pluses to having a service dog, one of the biggest being that they are highly trained and can be trusted at home and in the community.

But just like any dog that joins you later in their life, they also have a history, one you don't know. I remember the first time I drove past a McDonalds with Zeus in the car and he went absolutely nuts with excitement in the back seat. Clearly he recognized those golden arches!

So I drove into the drive through lane while he panted expectantly in the back seat. What was he expecting? Ice cream? An apple turnover? I had no idea so I ordered him a cheeseburger. Turns out I was right on the money. When I got home, I called Officer Tim to ask about that and he laughed and rather sheepishly admitted, "Yeah, Zeus and I went through the drive through every day when we were on duty."

Things you learn about your new service dog in unexpected ways!

Taking in a retired service dog also means that you get a shorter amount of time with them than you would had you gotten a puppy. We only had Zeus for five years before he passed away from cancer. We are at seven years with Pepper, but then, she retired very early due to her health.

Protecting her most favorite toy even while sleeping. (Tammo is lurking, you know...)

Having had two service dogs, I find I have some mixed emotions about using dogs as service animals. Don't get me wrong - they do a lot of good in our world and for the people with whom they serve. I acknowledge that. I've seen that. And I am grateful for that.

But...

They never got a choice in what they did - Zeus wasn't too impacted, what with cheeseburgers for lunch and tennis balls when he discovered hidden narcotics. He might have been on duty, but he was able to hang out, snooze, and play during much of that time.

Zeus enjoying pets from Lavinia, the little girl who lived next door to us and loved him very much. (That affection was returned.)

Pepper is a different story. She was on duty a whole lot more than Zeus ever was. And something that bothers me the most - she was trained to not bark. I am sure Zeus was, too, but even after seven years with us, she still doesn't bark. 

No joyful yips while playing, no happy "AaaWWoooOOo" when we get home, just silence. If she REALLY wants or needs my attention, she will stand by me and sniff loudly, and if that doesn't work, she makes a little squeak. But that's it; that's her voice.

Not gonna lie, it upsets me that she still, after all these years in retirement, won't bark.

So, having a retired service dog has its pluses and minuses, but were I asked to take a third, my answer would be a resounding "YES!!"

Tomorrow I will tell Zeus's story of how he came to be our dog and, how he alerted Sarah to a man who was breaking into her home.

Stay 'tooned.