Obituaries

Pepper Bailey, aka "Pep" or "Booga", peacefully passed away early morning on Friday, April 9th, 2021 at Blue Pearl/Cobb Emergency Veterinary Clinic, with his mom, Inga and his dad, Zaine by his side. Pepper was 11 years old, preparing to celebrate his 10 "adopt-aversary" with his family. Pepper was rescued from the Henry County Humane Society on May 16, 2009. Pepper was only 8 months old when he was warmly welcomed into the life of his mom, Inga Bailey.

Pepper had an abusive past before Inga found him. Because of his past, Pepper wasn't too social with other dogs or people, which allowed Pepper and Inga to become exceptionally close over the years. Pepper's love language was TRUST. As Pepper got older, he began to slowly trust others with the help of Inga. Pepper had an amazing way of knowing and befriending kindhearted people. He seemed to connect with the souls of others... good souls. If you happened to be one of those people Pepper connected with, his trust for you grew solid!

Pepper wasn't a rambunctious dog with a ton of personality, but Pepper's heart was warm and his eyes were radiant! He showed his love by being like a "shadow", following his favorite people everywhere, and by lovingly gazing into your eyes while bonding. As Pepper aged, he lost his hearing, but his hearing loss only caused Pepper to connect with his family even deeper and vice versa.

Inga and Pepper were inseparable! In 2018, Pepper was introduced to Zaine Hedge, Inga's then boyfriend, and they instantly bonded, giving Pepper another human to fully trust. Inga, Zaine and Pepper experienced life together for the next 3 years through moves, engagement, marriage, and the addition of another rescue, 10 month old, female, hound mix, Tigress. By this point in Pepper's life, he no longer needed to warm up to trust another dog. Pepper instantly welcomed Tigress into his life. Although Pepper and Tigress were in each other's lives for only 6 short months, they loved, protected and respected each other.

Thank you to all of the family members who treated Pepper as if he were their own: Wanda Knight-Allen, Sharon Hamilton, Jonathan Hamilton, Jerald Bailey, Lloyd Bailey, Zaine Hedge and everyone who was present in Pepper's life. Also, a special thank you to Summer, at East Point Petsmart, who was the only groomer patient enough to take the time to understand Pepper and gain his trust. She treated Pepper with the same love and tenderness as I did, and Pepper fully acknowledge it.

I, Inga, am extremely grateful to God for gifting me such a special and beautiful dog. Pepper was truly an angel here on earth, and now, he is an angel at Rainbow Bridge. To Pepper: Although I don't know the day, or the hour, Pepper, I know we will meet again, and together we will cross Rainbow Bridge into Heaven. Until then, live freely and enjoy that big dog park in the sky without any worries, pain or suffering. Thank you for being my friend, never seeing any flaws in me, and teaching me what genuine love is. I will forever love you, and I will never, ever forget you!