[Parents: Shannon Wisler and Zack Marsh]

We never really thought we were dog people, and we never thought we had enough time to take care of one. We liked not having the responsibility of taking care of another living being (besides our two cats!), and it was never quite “the perfect time to adopt a dog."

Of course we talked about dogs all the time anyway. What we would name our dog? Who would walk the dog every morning? How would our cats get along with a dog in the house? What kind of dog would we even want? (An Austin Brown Dog, of course!)

After a full year or more of talking it through, we finally decided to at least go to the shelter and get more information so we could see if it was really something we wanted to do. We checked out two other places before ending up at Austin Humane Society. They were having a free adoption day, and we found a little red heeler mix, the cutest, nicest, calmest puppy. It was officially “the perfect time to adopt a dog.”

Since bringing Pepper home, we no longer need an alarm clock or a gym membership (or nice furniture or a clean car). That calm little puppy at the shelter turned out to be a bundle of energy who keeps us active and gets us out of the house, exploring this city we love. She has introduced us to new friends and taught us so much about responsibility, love, patience, and apologizing to the strangers she jumps on. Adopting Pepper has been one of the best choices we’ve ever made.