You know the feeling. You just meet someone for the first time and it’s as if you’ve known them all your life. There’s an instant recognition, a rapport between you that transcends the mundane barrier of species. You’re both on the exact same wavelength.
It’s not every day that you have the privilege of meeting someone with such empathy. When it happens, it’s really special.
Some dogs can be better at this than people. Their exceptional friendship warms you, their courage makes a difference in your life. You never forget them.
Pepi, the Golden Oldie, was one of those dogs.
What’s a Golden Oldie?
Pepi was a fox terrier-cross-daschund rescued by the Animal Welfare League, Queensland. He was adopted at the age of twelve by Michele, who cared for this spunky little fellow for six years.
The Animal Welfare League has a goal of achieving zero euthanasia of healthy cats and dogs, Save Every Life, and one of their particular projects is Golden Oldies. This is a programme to find new homes for older animals unwanted by their former owners. Pepi was a star of the Golden Oldies.
Pepi’s Pram
Six days a week Pepi accompanied his pal on a 7 kilometre workout up and down the hills of Australia’s Gold Coast.
It was an effort for Pepi to make it up some of those hills and so his companion, Michele, invested in a pet pram. At eighteen, he felt the cold (even in sultry Queensland) and naturally, like all of us, he needed protection from the sun.
Pepi enjoyed the attention when he was dressed to the nines and he was so good at posing for cameras he was in great demand by photographers. You’ve probably seen Pepi yourself at various places around the web.
The flashing of light bulbs never bothered our Pepi, he couldn’t see them very well to begin with. He was just short of being totally blind.
It takes a special person to care for an old dog who can’t see and can hardly walk but Michele, his companion, always said that it was Pepi himself who was the special one. Indeed he was.
So long, Pepi! I’ll see you again at the Rainbow Bridge.