Pepper's Story

Gene & Pepper (photo by Skip Higgins)


by Reba Wagner; DH Animal Care Coordinator


A caring couple found a dog trapped in a cactus patch in the Elephant Butte area on Saturday/Sunday, April 4/5 and brought her to Desert Haven. After rescuing her, they discovered that the poor dog was blind, deaf, and had a large tumor-like growth on her side and there was another smaller one on her stomach. Her long hair was matted and full of burrs and thorns. She had cactus thorns all around her bleeding mouth and she had very few teeth. She may have been so hungry that she tried to eat the cactus. After cutting her hair and removing the thorns, it was apparent to them that she was a Poodle mix, dark gray in color. We named her Pepper.

Pepper didn't bark, but made a very mournful cry that just would tear your heart out and brings tears to your eyes. I believe she cried for help until she lost her voice. We have no idea whether the dog wandered off from someone's home or whether someone just disposed of her by dumping her in the desert.

On May 31, 2009, Pepper crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She was such a sweet, gentle dog and fought so hard to survive, but her body could not handle the fight. Pepper's last days were filled with love and human touch.


After being found in Elephant Butte in April, Pepper never fully regained her health. Vet care, food, love and attention could not overcome the horrific damage done to her system. She is missed already, but she is not suffering.

Abandonment was a grave offense to this very loving and beautiful dog. She did not deserve this disrespect and treatment by human hands. Situations like this can be avoided if pet owners will exhibit some decent, moral responsibility for ownership of their pets. They are not something to be discarded on a whim. They are a lifetime commitment and should be treated as such.