They were surrendered by a breeder just before the holidays. Eleven five-month-old labrador retriever poodle mix puppies who could not find a home and who’s breeder could no longer afford to care for them. The young dogs were fearful, trembling and reeking of urine and feces when they arrived at the animal centre. The puppies were all treated for intestinal parasites, vaccinated, bathed and after being held in quarantine, were made available for adoption. All the puppies celebrated the New Year with loving forever families. These are two of the puppies stories – they share the same name!
Six-hour drive to find a best friend
Ravioli, renamed Pepper, first came to his new mom’s attention when she saw a story about the labradoodle puppies in the news. “The story said the puppies would be available sometime in the New Year, so we kept an eye on the BC SPCA’s website,” says Karlee. “We found out most of the puppies were at a BC SPCA animal centre that was a six-hour drive from our home.” They decided to drive through the night in the snow to meet them. “We arrived at around two am and got a hotel room. We brought Molly, another rescue from the BC SPCA, with us so she could meet all the puppies too.”
Karlee, her partner Jameson, and Molly spent two hours at the centre. “We met Pepper first and she got along with Molly right from the start,” she says. “We met the other puppies, but none of them were as confident with Molly as Pepper.” Their next step was to take the two dogs to the outside area of the animal centre to see how they would do together there, and they immediately started playing and chasing each other. “It was obvious it was a perfect match,” says Karlee. “Pepper was coming home with us.”
They were a little concerned how the two dogs would do on the six-hour drive home. “Both dogs were so good,” Karlee says. “Molly travels well and Pepper seemed to pick up on that vibe and slept most of the way home.”
It has been joyful mayhem since the two have been home together. “The play starts at around five am in the morning in the basement and then they head out into our big back yard. We love watching them play.”
Karlee says it has been so much fun getting to know Pepper. “She wants to be with me and Jameson much more than Molly does,” she says. She adds that Pepper loves to bring them presents. “She carries leaves, rocks and stuffed animals in her mouth, making this adorable whistling noise as she goes,” says Karlee. “Then she stops in front of us, walks in circles, and gives us the gift. A second later she wants it right back.”
Karlee adds that Pepper needs to be involved in everything, even helping Molly get ready for bed. “Pepper will grab the toothbrush and help me brush Molly’s teeth.” Molly returns the favour by helping Pepper get comfortable walking on a leash near the road. “She is a little nervous of vehicles. It is something we are working on.”
“We are so thrilled to have Pepper in our family,” says Karlee. “She is such a wonderful girl, and we just can’t get over how much Molly and her have become so close, so fast. We are so glad we made the decision to travel the six hours to meet her.”
Weren’t looking until they were
They weren’t officially looking but Rosann had been keeping an eye out for a dog that they could add to their family. “My husband Mark is retiring in a couple of months so I was thinking that it would be nice to have a dog he could take on outdoor adventures.” She saw a news article about the labradoodle puppies and showed it to him. “He wanted to meet them right away,” she says.
“We met the puppies with another couple,” says Rosann. “The BC SPCA staff brought out Soba, who we renamed Pepper, and she ran to us and started licking our faces. The other couple looked at us and smiled and said, ‘oh yeah, you are taking her home.’”
Pepper hasn’t stopped showing them love since she has been home. “She just wants to give you kisses,” says Rosann. She adds that Pepper can’t get enough hugs and pets and spends more of her day making sure you know her affection cup is not full.
“She really loves toys and when she can’t decide which toy she wants to play with she will carry two or three around in her mouth and then present them to us,” says Rosann. She adds that Pepper is quite happy to play by herself and tosses socks and balls up in the air and catches them.
Rosann and Mark have both noticed how smart she is. “Pepper loves us to be together. One morning Mark was in the living room, and I had just woken up in the bedroom. She gently grabbed his arm and brought him to the bedroom so we could all be together. She is just so sweet.”
“We can’t remember our life before Pepper. She is an absolute doll.”
Overwhelmed breeder surrenders 11 labradoodle puppies to BC SPCA just before the holidays
Original story: December 30, 2024
An overwhelmed breeder in the West Kootenays has surrendered 11 five-month-old labradoodle puppies to a BC SPCA animal protection officer.
“This is yet another case of a breeder who bred dogs and now can’t find homes for them and can’t afford their care,” says Jamey Blair, the BC SPCA’s senior manager northern B.C. and the Kootenays.
Blair adds, “When the puppies arrived at our community animal centre, they were fearful, trembling and urinating, and we could not ignore the strong odour of feces and urine emanating from them. They are clearly under socialized, but they took comfort from the BC SPCA staff who were handling them as they were examined for any injuries or possible health issues.”
All the puppies were given baths, vaccinated, and treated for intestinal parasites. “Two of the puppies have upcoming vet appointments for minor issues,” says Blair. “They all need a face trim, so we are working on having a groomer come to the animal centre.”
Blair adds, “They were all very unsure about being walked on a leash, but we have been doing some training with them and they have come a long way in a short period of time.”
There have been some lovely moments over the holidays. “They play so nicely together. It has been such a joy to watch them come out of their shells. We are starting to see them show more of their personalities.”
The puppies will be available for adoption early in the New Year.
