“We’re not getting another dog.” Gretchen Ward Warren’s mind was set. “I lasted three weeks,” she laughs. “Then we drove to New Hampshire to buy a purebred dog.” That’s how Pepper came into the lives of Gretchen and her partner, Edward Lafontaine. “Previously, every dog I had owned in my life was a rescue from the pound.” But she had long dreamed about having a Cairn terrier. So, the couple made the long drive to meet her, and the moment they saw the tiny pup, let’s just say that resistance was futile.

This spirited, headstrong, and wildly adorable Cairn came from two championship parents. “She was one of the prettiest dogs I had ever seen.” Beauty, however, comes with personality.

“Cairn terriers are very headstrong,” Gretchen explains. “They’re not lapdogs. They’re smart. They understand exactly what you’re telling them, but it’s their choice whether they’re going to obey.” Training her required patience, humor, and a willingness to negotiate with a dog who has opinions.

Ed Lafontaine, Gretchen’s partner, notes that Pepper has two passions: hunting lizards in their backyard and food. She has an uncanny internal clock, especially around mealtimes. “She lets you know when it’s time to eat,” Ed says with a smile. Her timing is precise, her expectations clear, and her joy at being fed impossible to ignore. “Especially,” the couple notes, “now that we make her food!” 

At 11 years old, Pepper has settled into her role as the couple’s beloved “pseudo child.” She brings joy, mischief, and a touch of comedy to their daily lives. “She gets away with murder because she’s so darn cute,” Gretchen admits. Whether it’s demanding attention or insisting on her preferred walking route, Pepper has mastered the art of charming her humans.

Around the neighborhood, Pepper is practically a celebrity. “Everyone knows Ed and Pepper,” Gretchen says. Ed proudly serves as the primary dog walker, strolling through Old Northeast with Pepper trotting confidently beside him, tail held high. Their walks are social occasions. Neighbors wave, children stop to pet her, and Pepper greets her admirers like the neighborhood star she is.

To Gretchen and Ed, Pepper is family. Loyal, lively, and full of personality, this adorable Cairn terrier brings a special spark to their home every single day. They may not have planned on another dog, but never say never.