A Unhappy Shelter Canine Walked Into Grief and Grew to become a Lifeline

February 9, 2026
Visitor Contributor

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Hey, my identify is Benay, and my lovely mother, Brenda, and I rescued our candy little boy from our native shelter the 12 months after I misplaced my father and simply two months after we misplaced our 19-year-old dachshund, Louie.

Black dog sitting on a bed near a window, wearing a collar and tag, ears upright as it looks to the side.

Benay Chankin

We noticed Pepper sitting sadly exterior in a nook. It was so sizzling, and he didn’t even wish to come over to say whats up. He simply stayed there, quiet and withdrawn.

I advised the person working on the shelter, “Please, can I see that little man and maintain him?”

Small black dog standing in deep snow, ears perked, snow clinging to its fur and face.

Benay Chankin

It was full love at first sight.

He was two years outdated, and his identify was Pepper. At first, we thought we would change it, however then I mentioned to my mother how impolite that will be. We might solely be altering his identify for our personal egocentric causes, and he already knew who he was.

So Pepper it was — and I simply find it irresistible.