Pepper Spice Boy

Pepper Spice Boy is a happy-go-lucky, joyful dog. He is affectionate and loves to give kisses, adores being picked up and sitting on laps, and is very quiet and polite. He is never underfoot, doesn't jump on people, and won't bother your belongings. Pepper loves going on walks: Great on a leash, he doesn't pull. Check out his walking videos.<br/><br/>Do you like an independent spirit? He just needs to be handled in a certain way (by adults only who are experienced dog owners, ideally knowledgeable about Chihuahuas). He may be able to live with another small, playful, friendly, beta dog. As Pepper loves to sunbathe and run around, he needs a fenced yard.<br/><br/>Pepper lets you know his thoughts about passersby (that is, he will bark), so he needs a detached home. And as he can be an escape artist, he also needs to live in an interior neighborhood, not close to main roads, one that is quiet, ideally without a lot of people walking dogs.<br/><br/>When it's time for naps and bedtime, Pepper tucks himself in (see his video where he puts himself under a sheet), and he sleeps through the night without a peep -- 10+ hours! <br/><br/>During the day, he goes potty about every 4 hours. <br/><br/>Pepper loves his food and won't beg for yours. When he gets excited, like before mealtimes, he stands on his back feet, pawing the air with his front feet, and twirling around like a circus dog. So cute! <br/><br/>His awesomeness does not stop there: Pepper is crate- and house-trained. He doesn't need to be crated, however. <br/><br/>Very smart, he knows Wait, Stay, No, Come, Let's go, Stop, Want to go out?, Go back?, Move Over, Watch out, Look, and Leave it.<br/><br/>Check out his other videos to see this pup in action! He is clearly psychic because he chose Chapel Hill to win over Duke at their match on April 2, 2022! And see his wonderful portrait on our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/independentanimalrescue/ drawn by an elementary student. Click on kids drawing our adoptable pets, Part 1 and then click on the arrow until you see it.<br/><br/>This sweet boy can't wait to find his forever home! <br/><br/>HISTORY<br/>Pepper had been living with Nikki (another small dog) and a couple in their 90s. When the husband died, the wife could no longer care for either dog. IAR took both Pepper and Nicki into the program. Nikki was adopted.<br/><br/>HEALTH<br/>Pepper was diagnosed on 6/10/25 with a stage 4 (of 6) heart murmur. X-rays on 6/18/25 show an enlarged heart (which will at some point lead to congestive heart failure) and extensive arthritis in his hind legs. He will be on lifetime medications for both. <br/><br/>He is up-to-date on vaccinations, microchipped, heartworm negative, and neutered. He had his teeth cleaned in March 2022. He came to us grossly overweight at 17.6 pounds. He recovered from an ACL tear with acupuncture, chiropractic, MYOS, Tea pills, and a joint supplement.<br/><br/>PHYSICAL<br/>Pepper is white with brown on his ears, face, and tail (what there is of it!).

Pepper Spice Boy is a happy-go-lucky, joyful dog. He is affectionate and loves to give kisses, adores being picked up and sitting on laps, and is very quiet and polite. He is never underfoot, doesn't jump on people, and won't bother your belongings. Pepper loves going on walks: Great on a leash, he doesn't pull. Check out his walking videos.

Do you like an independent spirit? He just needs to be handled in a certain way (by adults only who are experienced dog owners, ideally knowledgeable about Chihuahuas). He may be able to live with another small, playful, friendly, beta dog. As Pepper loves to sunbathe and run around, he needs a fenced yard.

Pepper lets you know his thoughts about passersby (that is, he will bark), so he needs a detached home. And as he can be an escape artist, he also needs to live in an interior neighborhood, not close to main roads, one that is quiet, ideally without a lot of people walking dogs.

When it's time for naps and bedtime, Pepper tucks himself in (see his video wher

Pepper Spice Boy is a happy-go-lucky, joyful dog. He is affectionate and loves to give kisses, adores being picked up and sitting on laps, and is very quiet and polite. He is never underfoot, doesn't jump on people, and won't bother your belongings. Pepper loves going on walks: Great on a leash, he doesn't pull. Check out his walking videos.

Do you like an independent spirit? He just needs to be handled in a certain way (by adults only who are experienced dog owners, ideally knowledgeable about Chihuahuas). He may be able to live with another small, playful, friendly, beta dog. As Pepper loves to sunbathe and run around, he needs a fenced yard.

Pepper lets you know his thoughts about passersby (that is, he will bark), so he needs a detached home. And as he can be an escape artist, he also needs to live in an interior neighborhood, not close to main roads, one that is quiet, ideally without a lot of people walking dogs.

When it's time for naps and bedtime, Pepper tucks himself in (see his video where he puts himself under a sheet), and he sleeps through the night without a peep -- 10+ hours!

During the day, he goes potty about every 4 hours.

Pepper loves his food and won't beg for yours. When he gets excited, like before mealtimes, he stands on his back feet, pawing the air with his front feet, and twirling around like a circus dog. So cute!

His awesomeness does