It began with a seven-year-old Pomeranian adopted through a dog rescue. The dog, named Pepper, had multiple health issues and needed extra tender loving care, which was just the thing Mary Leprino needed to get through alcohol sobriety. Together they embarked on a healing journey, and when Leprino had to say goodbye to Pepper at the Rainbow Bridge, she vowed to help other dogs like him.
Senior dogs, especially those with medical conditions, are often deemed unadoptable at shelters and may be euthanized to make space for younger, more “desirable” canines. Leprino, her son Jason Klemer and friend Leigh Sullivan founded Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary in 2018 on a sprawling, 50-acre property in Roxborough Park in Littleton to bring in senior dogs from shelters to live out their last days with dignity and love.
The sanctuary includes an indoor dog park with enrichment activities, lounging areas, play areas, training activities and a sensory garden for pups with dementia or impaired abilities.
Pepper’s gives the dogs the best medical care to address both treatable and chronic conditions. But as any pet owner knows, veterinary care, medications, devices, specialty food, rehabilitation and hospice care doesn’t come cheap.
For that reason, Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary and an army of sponsors and volunteers put together the Pepper’ Em With Love Fundraising Gala, a gathering of furry friend-loving supporters to celebrate a place for senior dogs to get the care they need and be a local resource as enrichment for people from senior living homes, adults with autism and young adults in transition programs where caring for and interacting with the dogs serves to enhance the community.
For the gala at Mission Ballroom, attendees were encouraged to wear red, the color of love, and had the opportunity to participate in a silent auction, enjoy a three-course dinner and entertainment from ’90s harmony group Wilson Phillips, famously known as the daughters of members of the Mamas & the Papas and Beach Boys. Though Carnie Wilson was unable to make the show due to an unforeseen medical surgery, actor William “Billy” Baldwin stepped in to add some star power and pose for pictures with attendees.
Here are some of the best-dressed attendees who supported the cause by wearing red, plus some highlights of the night: