3.17.2011

Just Another Black Dog

Meet Pepsi. Pepsi has been my foster dog for nearly 2 years. If you don’t know much about fostering, 2 years is a LONG time. Pepsi is only 3 years old. She's lived with me for more than half her life. She thinks I'm her mom... and essentially, I am.

But Pepsi needs her own family. She deserves her own family. She deserves to be in a home with one other (male) dog, where she's treasured as someone’s special dog.

But let me explain why that may never happen for Pepsi…

Pepsi is a simple black dog. Nothing more... nothing less. To 99% of adopters, she's just another black dog.
People want to adopt a dog they see as “special.” They want a unique-looking dog, a beautiful dog, a dog that others will see and say, "WOW… now, that’s a cute pup!"

Pepsi is just another black dog who needs a home. For the rare person in search of “a black dog,” Pepsi is one of millions... who all look the same.

She doesn’t stand out in a crowd. She doesn’t look different, or pretty, or cool. She’s a black dog... and thousands of her are dying in shelters every single day.
If you look at her pictures, there's nothing seemingly special about Pepsi. But let me take you behind the photos... into this girl’s wounded heart, and tell you why Pepsi deserves to matter

For the first year of her life, Pepsi lived on a very short chain. At some point, the chain became badly embedded in her skin... leaving her with a deep, awful scar around her neck... to prove that her pain was ever-so real. Those same people who chained her... also starved her, beat her, and tortured her…

But my Pepsi is a fighter... and you can’t break her that easily.

I rescued Pepsi from that abuse, and she came to live with me as one of my foster dogs. When we got to my house, she looked around… and then up at me, with a grin that said, “Seriously?! For me?!” For the first time in her life, she got to have mealtime, and playtime, and “special Pepsi time.” She also got a super-comfy pup bed of her very own and lots of toys. She'd never known so much joy in her little heart—ever.

I'd soon learn that Pepsi’s favorite game is fetch. She can play fetch for hours, and she’s really smart… bringing the ball right back every time and dropping it at your feet to throw again. Sometimes, my arm gets so freaking tired from throwing that dang ball, but she drops it so politely and looks up at me like, “Come on… one more time, Mom. Pleeeeaseee!” This goes on for at least 100 more times... but I’d do it 1,000 more just to see that smile on her face when I throw it again. She absolutely loves to run and play… because she’d never been able to do it before me. Never.

Pepsi’s first friend ever, and best friend in the entire world, was my Rudy. Pepsi and Rudy had so much in common.. and it’s like they just knew that the other understood. They would play outside for hours, and sleep right next to each other every night. They had a bond that was so special to watch… and so heart wrenching to see it end.

Pepsi was with Rudy when he died. She was forced to watch ... as her very best friend left this world... and she couldn’t do anything to save him. The day Rudy died, Pepsi’s grief overtook her. The once fun-loving, outgoing pup became very depressed and withdrawn. Every day, she'd lay on top of Rudy’s grave... and mourn his loss. She knew that he was gone, but she didn’t want to believe it. I'd go sit with her at his grave... and tell her I knew the feeling. We'd cry together.

Pepsi and I helped each other heal, but I can tell that she still misses him. Almost a year later, every time I let her outside, she still goes straight to Rudy’s favorite laying spot —the spot where he died— to look for him. I can’t blame her… I’m tempted to do the same thing.

Pepsi’s new best friend is Freddy, another black dog. Freddy has helped her pain tremendously, and my heart would soar if they could be adopted together. But the chances of 2 black dogs being adopted by the same family... are so slim, that I try not to kid myself. I just want Pepsi (and of course, Freddy) to find what she’s always wanted: a home to call her own.
My heart breaks every time a potential adopter comes to see my dogs, because they never give Pepsi a second glance. She’s never been special to anyone... other than to me, and I think she realizes that.

My heart aches for her, as people ignore her presence. As people go for the “pretty” dogs and completely overlook this amazing girl. As they come through to meet all the pups, Pepsi sits politely and waits her turn. But she never gets a turn.

So every time someone leaves, I sit with her and say, “You’re special to me, Pepsi-Co, and I love you.” She licks my face and says, “I love you too, Mom...” to tell me that she’s okay. But my heart hurts for my special girl... my child that no one wants. For the girl who has endured so much, and is still considered lackluster. For the girl, who has been waiting for a loving home of her own... all 3 years of her life.

If you’re looking for an amazing dog, Pepsi is your girl. She loves to be by someone’s side. She longs to be someone’s special girl. And she deserves to be cherished by a family forever. If anyone knows this girl, it’s me, and let me tell you this: Pepsi will change your life. Pepsi will enrich your soul. Pepsi will thank you every day for loving her. Pepsi IS special... she is not just another black dog. She is, quite simply, incredible.

Fill out Adoption Application for Pepsi online:
Amazing adopters only.

58 comments:

  1. Ashley....I can see by the look on her face that shes not "just another black dog". Id love her if I could, but for now, shes lucky to have you. I just dont think she needs a pack to be part of....she needs to be an only child, or at most, one of two.

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  2. Ashley, if this posting doesn't make someone want this beautiful little black baby.....then they have no compassion! That was a very touching love story and I truly hope someone can make room in their home for little Pepsi. She is so lucky to have you for a longterm foster mama, but it would be even more wonderful for her to have her very own forever family! Hugs to you for your amazing compassion and generous love you show to these precious souls who have been abandoned or neglected. xoxoxoxoxo!

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  3. Thanks y'all :) Pepsi really needs to be in a home with another male dog. She thrives on pup companionship, but she prefers males to females. She likes to have a "boyfriend" :)And I truly hope she finds the home she deserves... they will be lucky to have her.

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  4. what kind of dog is pepsi? I'd love to help find her a home..

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  5. she is absolutely beautiful. i never understand this black dog stereotype. i love black dogs, i have two and two other rescues. i wish i could help you out, i would love to have her lying on the couch next to me. praying her and freddie get a wonderful home together. thank you for helping them out

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  6. Ashley, most of the time, I can never read your blogs without crying. First let me tell you that I LOVE black dogs. If I didn't have so many dogs on my farm I would take her in a heartbeat! Six black dogs live here with me now & they are all amazing. Each has its own special personality. They are just as loyal and loving as the 'cute' little fluffy dogs. Mine are wonderful companions & I couldn't imagine my home without them now. I hope Pepsi finds the loving home she deserves!

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  7. Pepsi is a mixed breed, definitely has some pit bull, and a little of everything else mixed in. She's a great size, about 40 lbs... so she's not too big, and not too small.

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  8. Ashley, she is beautiful! I love black dogs, I'll never understand the reluctance some people have to adopt them, but I know the problem can be the same here in the UK. There is no such thing as just another black dog to me, they are all special.

    What sort of rehoming area do you cover? I can share the link to this page a little for those I know in the US on twitter and facebook, if that would help.

    Angela
    UK

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  9. Ashley remember my boss that wanted a dog..he still wants one. Would she work? He has a male lab already that is really sweet. Would she get along? I don't have facebook right now--gave it up for Lent so I will look for your response on here. Thanks!

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  10. Pepsi knows u love her and thats probably all that matters to her, Though i hope someday u find her a great home. Thanks for taking and making her life great as it is!

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  11. Ashley, what a beautiful story. I love black dogs that I have rescued. There is nothing plain about your, Pepsi. I wish I had room for one more but Im at my limit with 3 dogs. Wishing Pepsi the best new home ever!!!

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  12. thank you for sharing your story Ashley.. i wish i could take on another dog, Titan is so naughty when it comes to others... i will share :)
    keep the faith Pepsi.. you will find your forever home..

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  13. I just adopted a black dog named Jackson. I adopted him from Maysville Rescue Team. What I was told was nobody ever looked at my Jackson( his name was Zod But we changed it)He is the most gentle and loving dog and he loves loves loves to run and he is the best hugger in the world. If I didn't have 4 dogs already I would so take them both. I think if anyone did adopt her, her heart would break missing you. Sorry just my opinion. And Jackson looks just like Pepsi. My name is Cindy and I think Pepsi is an angel.

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  14. Awe... one of our dogs was a rescue with the same story. You need to keep Pepsi. :) I agree with Cindy. My Bella stopped eating because we had to leave her with a friend for a little while. P.S. I have a soft spot for black animals. My favorite cat was solid black. He was sixteen when he died.

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  15. This is a really sweet story about Pepsi(:
    shes so cute i love dogs all dogs don't care how they look i love for they have inside them(:
    Thanks for saving all those sweet animals<3

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  16. I would take Pepsi in a heartbeat if we didn't have a female dog and a sick husband. Pepsi is a special beautiful girl, thank you for loving her and saving her life!

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  17. I wish she was in Maryland. I have a HUGE yard that just needs a dog like Pepsi to run in. My house is small but I think she'd be perfect. I don't have the money or means to transport her, otherwise she'd be with me now!

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  18. I wrote about Pepsi on my blog, www.seattledogspot.com. If someone outside of MS adopts her I'll pay half the cost of getting her there.

    http://www.seattledogspot.com/2011/03/18/please-adopt-pepsi/

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  19. Awww...I love her. I wish I could take another. We just officially adopted our first attempt at fostering....a 60 pound solid black GSD. She's beautiful to us, but I totally understand everything you are saying in this post. People seem to be afraid of her because she's big and black, but she is biggest sweetheart in the world. Hugs for Pepsi. I hope she gets the great home she deserves.

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  20. Hi, Ashley. I sent a link to your blog to my 30 yr old single brother. I have been trying to find the right dog match for him for several months. He's one of the few people I know without a dog, so I'm always pushing my rescue discoveries on him. He replied to my email, "So, does Ashley come with the dog?" haha Thought you might get a kick out of that.

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  21. Dang it... you seriously have me crying through all of your posts! Fortunately the one about trying to take that picture with the dogs had me giggling! Thank goodness. Not sure how many more tears I have left.

    I've never understood the stigma of black dogs. I've always gravitated towards them! I have a Border Collie mix that is black and white, a German Shepherd mix that is mostly black with brown markings, and a Pit Bull/Lab (at least we think!) that is black... or perhaps an extremely dark brown! Nonetheless, they are all beautiful and perfect to me.

    Here's to hoping that your two babies find someone to love them... other than yourself.

    Peace, Love, & Paw Prints

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  22. I am seriously considering applying for her since Robert said he would pay half the expense and I have friends that can probably cover the other half. The only thing is I cannot take her friend. I will watch to see if someone gets her and if not will see how things go.

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  23. Pepsi looks like a great dog. Love her ears in the last pic. I'm glad she has you to take care of her until someone else comes along to give her a permanent home.

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  24. Pepsi looks so much like my dearly departed Flip, w/ one ear sticking up & the other half lazy. Cried all the way through this one. I'm so dogged out I can't even THINK about another one. If I'd known about her & Freddy 2 yrs ago, I'd have been driving to the state line to bring them home with me. I pray they get the perfect home, hopefully together. Just keep loving her and the right person will come along.

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  25. Ashley, you are a really good writer. I love every one of your blogs. Pepsi is a lucky girl to have you. I love black dogs. My first two dogs as an adult were black lab brothers, Jake and Rudy. I don't know why people don't see their beauty, the shiny, onyx coat, the beautiful eyes. It's very sad. Perhaps someone might surprise us and step up for her someday. Let's hope. Until then, she's in a great place with you.

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  26. Robert, WOW. Thank you is an understatement! I'm so touched! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! To all of you, thank you for seeing what I see in Pepsi. Thank you for caring. She deserves to matter, and I know she now matters to all of you :) Thank you!!!!

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  27. Well I think Pepsi (just another) black dog is beautiful! I also have the honor of living with six rescues and two are "just" black incredibly wonderful additions to my family. I hope this special girl gets a family that deserves her!

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  28. Ashley, it's ironic that you post this now. I actually just wrote a post on my blog a few days ago about big black dog syndrome—spurred on by comments I've been getting at adoption day with my foster dog.
    http://dogfoster.blogspot.com/2011/03/bbd.html

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  29. Hi Ashley,

    I just wanted to post to say a friend directed me to your blog and I think it is one of the most beautiful blogs I have read. Your passion and kindness towards dogs touches my heart and is really inspirational.

    I have had 2 dogs. The first was called Pickles, a black collie-cross, who we got from a dog rescue center. He had lived his life outside. His owners only let him sleep at their house and the rest of his time he spent wandering around the town. It's a miracle that nothing terrible happened to him. He was shy and nervous when we took him in, with a huge scar on his nose. We aren't sure how it happened but he always hid if one of us got out a mop or brush. He sadly passed away this year but he lived 10 wonderful years with my family, where we spoilt him and gave him all the love we could.

    We went back to the same rescue center and took in a young female collie, who we have called Poppy. She was born in a small dark shed, where her mother was undernourished and used purely for breeding. The conditions were disgusting and Poppy was luckily rescued from this awful situation. Sadly, I do not know what happened to her mother. Poppy loves love. She is a fun and excitable puppy and I hope she will have a long and happy life with us.

    Your blog is truly an inspiration and I hope to read more from you. I wish you all the best and I hope Pepsi finds a perfect home, getting all the love she deserves.

    Keep up your wonderful work.

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  30. awww shes beautiful but i knt have her :/ i live in apartments && they dnt let us have dogs :/....i kan just have cats :/ sowee :/
    hope someone gives her a good home && treats her right!!!

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  31. Pepsi is special! She is a beautiful girl, with a beautiful soul that shines in her eyes. I would be happy to have her a part of my family,but can't as I have a female pitty and 4 cats, plus 5 kids.

    I sincerely hope pepsi finds her forever home,but until then she is blessed to have you.

    (((hugs)))

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  32. OMG I cried from beginning to end. I love all animals,and I do not look at color or breed as my home could tell by the many dogs I already have and to which 6 are black as a matter of fact. All my live I have rescued animals and helped them overcome their fears and depression while showing them that not all humans are bad. It really saddens me to hear a sad story concerning an animal and to watch a sad video I just can't hardly do. Animals have always been attracted to me because I think they know I not only love them but that also I will be their voice and not let anything bad happen to them.
    Just by reading your story I could tell that pepsi wants you as her forever companion. There is a reason that pepsi come into your life when she did,please don't take her out of it now!

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  33. It is good i don't know where you live or I would have me a dog. I can't because i am at my limit. I had a black dog growing up and i love them there just a dog that needs some TLC to me.

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  34. Thanks to all of you :) And to those who said I should keep Pepsi for myself... I want what's best for Pepsi, and what's best for Pepsi is to be in a home where she can get all of the love & attention. My attention is spread across so many, and she needs to be one of two dogs in a loving home. That's the right thing to do for her, and that's what I will find for her... an amazing home where she will be cherished.

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  35. All of the "I would love to take her, but..." comments are really bumming me out. Honestly, that's where I stand too - the problem being that every apartment I've seen for rent in the state of Florida won't allow any dog that has any sort of pit bull mix in him/her at all, what-so-ever. So not fair to stereotype the breed like that!!

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  36. As an avid dog lover, I can't help but get misty eyed reading your posts... I would love to rescue a dog, but not until I'm living in a place (i.e. non-apartment) that can accommodate a dog like Pepsi, and have the time and money resources available to give a dog like that the treatment it deserves. I grew up with a wonderful black lab that was one of the best friends I've ever had, so I hope this "regular black dog" stereotype wanes, because Pepsi looks like a sweetie who truly deserves a good home and family. I will think of Pepsi everytime I hear Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog"! Because she ROCKS!

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  37. Also, kudos to you Ashley for taking foster care of these beautiful dogs. Your work has for sure saved many canine lives who will go on to have the great homes they deserve. Kudos! Great work.

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  38. she is beautiful and if i didnt have 6 dogs already i would make her mine god bless u for helping her

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  39. I agree with everyone else, I cannot read your blogs without crying. I just found your pet pardon page on FB & I am new to your blogs, but I am hooked. It is nice to read your stories and know someone else feels similar to the way I do about animals. It is hard, mostly you get that you are crazy or obsessed or even that you have to let it go. In my reality there is no letting go. No more than a parent would for their child. Anyway, it is nice to read your blogs, I feel like this is where I belong. :) You have an amazing way of sharing your view. Thanks for sharing that with all of us. I hope Pepsi gets adopted soon. When she does I know she will miss you. Can you let us know when she is adopted?

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  40. Girl, do you have a degree in journalism??? You must, cuz your blogs are RIPPING MY HEART OUT!!!
    Pepsi is adorable....the right home will come to her!!! God bless you for giving her the love she deserves!!

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  41. I think sweet Miss Pepsi would be most happy staying with you ~ you have been her mama and shaped her into the wonderful girl she is today.

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  42. You're right, she's not just another black dog, I don't think there is a single one of those because all dogs are amazing and so different from each other...I have my own black dog, also a rescue, and he is the most amazing and sweetest baby ever

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  43. My daughter and her little guy would just love to have Pepsi as part of their family. The only problem is we live out in Northern California and just cant afford to get her out hear :-( She is a beautiful girl and just by looking at the pictures she is a gentle soul.

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  44. If an amazing family is interested in Pepsi, in any area, transport can be arranged. Please fill out the Adoption Application :)

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  45. People may see her as just another black dog, but to me she looks gorgeous and special. Too bad I cannot have any dogs (I already have 4 cats), or I would adopt Pepsi in a heartbeat.

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  46. I think she is beautiful!

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  47. Sweet history Ty so much!!!

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  48. I first saw her story when you posted in March, and I came back to see if she'd been placed yet. I wish with all my heart I could apply to adopt Pepsi, but I live where Bully breeds are not allowed. So I do what I can. I post on my Facebook page from Pet Pardons, and I've donated for vet care here when I can afford it. I look forward to the day when Pepsi has a loving family of her own.

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  49. Pepsi is absolutely gorgeous!! I had no idea that people didn't care for black dogs...why?? I think they are sleek and gorgeous!! I too think that Pepsi sounds happy with you, but you are the one who knows what is best for her!! Ashley, you are simply amazing. You are living my dream... I wish I could be doing what you do, and if I am ever lucky enough to hit the lotto, I will be! I'm helping on a much smaller scale, with two wonderful rescue babies plus an old GSD who I helped get out of a neglectful situation.

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  50. Do you think she would be ok with female dogs or no way?

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