Meet Pepper, our adorable 1 ½-year-old Cockapoo/Chihuahua mix (we like to call him a “Cockapihuaha”). We rescued him at just 9 weeks old when we found him on PetFinder. Rescued by I Stand With My Pack, they found him and his mother on skid row in a homeless encampment in heartbreaking conditions. Pepper was rushed to the emergency vet after being found with a large bite on his neck. He needed immediate antibiotics, and the rescue organization described his original circumstances involving a lot of “needles and carcasses” in the tent where he and his mother lived. Despite his rough start to life, Pepper has always been a fighter, and he quickly became a source of joy and love in our lives.

In the first few months of adopting him, Pepper was a normal, happy-go-lucky puppy. We were going through the normal motions of teething, puppy training, and the occasional sacrificed shoe. At about 8 months old, we started noticing a concerning habit of reduced appetite in the morning and the occasional vomiting. We chalked it up to him just not liking the food, so we tried many different types to entice his appetite. We had no idea that this was the precursor of what was to happen this past summer.

In June 2025, Pepper’s health took a sudden turn. We had to rush him to the emergency vet multiple times because he started vomiting blood and having bloody diarrhea. After weeks of several vet diagnostic and supportive care visits and a scope procedure, Pepper was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This is a condition comparable to Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative colitis in humans.

Managing this chronic disease has been challenging, both emotionally and financially. He has to be on multiple medications a day to keep his inflammation down and his body working correctly. His treatment includes being on prednisone, a steroid that unfortunately has negative long-term effects. His vet’s treatment plan is for him to hopefully get off prednisone and on a safer alternative. Last month, we were on that track, but we knew it came with the possibility of a flare-up.

Because of this change in medication, Pepper recently had a severe flare-up that resulted in large vet bills and several days of hospitalization. Additionally, he requires a special hydrolyzed diet, which is significantly more expensive than regular dog food. While we’re grateful for pet insurance, the costs still add up, and we’re now facing debt and missed credit card statements due to his ongoing treatment needs.

There is a lot of hope for Pepper to live a normal, happy life—it’s just about finding the right treatment plan and getting through this difficult trial-and-error period. Pepper loves to play and brings so much joy to everyone he meets. If you’ve had the pleasure, you know he gives the best hugs. He’s just a little guy with a lot of love to give who wants to enjoy life like any other dog. We have only wanted one thing since rescuing him: to give him the best chance and life possible. It’s been heartbreaking to see him go through this, and he is only just a puppy. If Pepper has taught us anything, it’s that he’s a true trooper who never gives up.

We debated starting this GoFundMe because there are so many out there that could use the funds, but we were encouraged by many friends that we shouldn’t go through this alone. We are so grateful for any support you can give—whether it’s a donation or simply sharing Pepper’s story with others. Your kindness means the world to us, and every bit helps us give Pepper the happy, healthy life he deserves. Thank you for being part of his journey and for caring about our little trooper.