In a heartwarming display of affection, Yari paid tribute to her late friend Pepper in a touching way. Although they may have seemed like complete opposites at first glance, the Chihuahua mix and rescue pit bull were inseparable best buddies. When Pepper passed away recently, Yari was devastated and struggled to bid farewell to her dear friend. Pepper’s mother, Tona Gonzalez Karlsson, had adopted Yari when he was nine years old, and despite their age and size differences, the two dogs formed an instant bond. While Yari was initially wary of other dogs, he eventually warmed up to Pepper and they would often play and cuddle together. Even now, Yari tends to act like a Chihuahua when playing with larger dogs. The special connection between these two unlikely friends was evident in the beautiful way that Yari honoured Pepper’s memory.
The two dogs had spent a lot of time together, enjoying each other’s company. Yari, the younger one, always admired her smaller but older brother. According to Karlsson, Yari would greet Pepper with kisses and excitement whenever he came back. It was clear that she loved being around him and would howl if they were not in the same room. They had a great relationship and never seemed to have any disagreements. Yari would always know when Pepper was in pain or not feeling well, and she would try her best to comfort him and provide help. Even when Karlsson was unaware that Pepper was unwell, Yari would wake her up or act in a way that indicated something was wrong.
Towards the end of Pepper’s life, he started to decline in ways that Karlsson couldn’t ignore. Pepper was dealing with several severe illnesses, and it became clear that a final vet appointment was necessary. “The day before he passed away, he completely stopped eating,” Karlsson shared. “Yari just slept beside him, cuddled him, and gave him kisses.” Pepper had to be put down at Karlsson’s parent’s house, and on that day, Karlsson had to carry him since he was so weak.
Half an hour before the vet arrived, Pepper got up from his bed in the shade and walked towards the cemetery behind the pepper tree that Karlsson’s father had made for him. It was as if he was letting his family know that he was ready to go. After Pepper took his last breath, Yari went up to him and nuzzled him. The little pup seemed relaxed, as though Pepper was sleeping soundly for the first time in a while. Once they decorated his burial with lavender and garden flowers, Pepper was carefully lowered into the ground. At that moment, Yari understood that her companion would not be returning.
Karlsson observed as his dog, Yari, stared into the grave. He was unsure what was going through her mind, but he believed that she must have been aware of her friend’s presence. She lay down beside the burial site and looked saddened, as though she was hugging the earth. Karlsson noted that Yari stayed there for a long time.
After Pep’s burial, Yari’s demeanor changed significantly. She was no longer the lively and cheerful dog she used to be, for her best friend was no longer around. However, Karlsson knew what he needed to do to cheer her up. He took her to visit Pep’s burial spot in his parents’ yard, where she sniffed and explored the soil beneath the pepper tree. It brought Yari immense joy to be near her friend.
Yari had five wonderful years with Pep, and now whenever she misses him, she knows that all she has to do is go to the pepper tree and be by his side once more.
