Our dogs are always there for us, showering us with love and offering us their precious company. Their presence can ease our loneliness and help us through moments that seem impossible to face alone.
Although many rescue dogs have had difficult lives, they trust us and give their hearts to us.
Pepper, a young rescue pup, found her place in the world when she crossed paths with Mike, a man living with dementia.
The pup had been left behind at a shelter. She was timid and overwhelmed. She had so much love to give, but there wasn’t anyone she could give it to.
Fortunately, one family looked past her rough start and saw something special in her.
That’s when Pepper’s life changed.
A New Beginning For Mike And Pepper
Mike Sumner, a 79-year-old Air Force veteran, had been struggling with memory loss that left him sad and frustrated.
The loss of his dog, Buddy, made things worse, and it had left an emptiness he couldn’t understand.
After his beloved goats had to be rehomed from the family farm, Sumner missed them. Losing the freedom to drive his truck made him sadder.
His son, Ryan, saw how much his father missed having something to care for.
When Ryan’s mom suggested finding an emotional support companion, he liked the idea. He hoped a dog might give his father something to hold onto again.
The Search For The Perfect Match
Since Ryan fostered and volunteered with shelter animals, he knew where to start.
His goal was to find a dog who would get along with the family’s cats, and stay calm around an older man.
He visited more than 50 dogs at Chicago Animal Care and Control before he saw a small pit bull mix named Pepper, originally called Fritter.
She was quiet. She didn’t hide, but she waited to see if someone might finally notice her.
Ryan felt connected to her and saw something in her that reminded him of his late dog, Boo.
Even her shelter name made him smile. He always brought his dad three apple fritters when he visited Wisconsin. It felt like a sign that she belonged with them.
Ryan knew that Pepper was the dog he had been looking for.
After she was spayed and vaccinated, he drove her home to Michigan. Sumner had no idea what was about to walk through his door.
When they met, Pepper leaned into her new dad as if she had been waiting for him. Sumner wrapped his arms around her and couldn’t stop smiling. She felt safe. He felt needed again.
A New Purpose And A New Beginning
Pepper brought happiness into Sumner’s life. She follows him everywhere. He talks to her often, and she lies beside him as if she understands every word.
Ryan shared the moment he rescued Pepper on TikTok, and the video went viral.
In another clip, Sumner and Pepper curl into each other on the couch, both completely relaxed.
Ryan said in an interview, “Pepper is a very loving and happy dog who seems most comfortable when near a kind human, and that’s exactly who my dad is. He has thanked me over a hundred times for bringing her into his life.”
Ryan also shared, “Pepper brings my dad so much happiness, he forgets about the negative aspects of his new normal. With Alzheimer’s, anger and frustration are common symptoms which can make managing his care very difficult and stressful. By refocusing his frustrations onto something that brings him joy, it has a profound impact. He is so focused on Pepper’s well-being, and it brings him satisfaction to have this new purpose.”
Viewers responded with heartfelt messages.
One wrote, “They just want love and want to love in return.”
Another said, “Thank you so much for sharing this absolute joyous moment! And thank you for saving her.”
Sumner and Pepper were always meant to find each other. The pup has the family and immense love she always dreamed of, and Sumner found comfort again.
We wish them many happy moments together.