I made up my mind.....Snicker

After visiting shelters, talking to vet techs, asking lots of questions about behavior, socialization and so on, I made up my mind. Even though I was hell bent on getting a purebred chihuahua, the more I asked about the older ones (which is what I wanted from the rescues and shelters) the more I realized that they are not so nice with other dogs or children - even though we don't have either right now, this is a dog for life and we want another dog later and we might have grandchildren one of these days!

So, I went up to meet Snicker. He was so sweet right from the start. He has been living part time at the vet hospital and part time with the woman that runs the rescue. He's had some health problems - 2 surgeries (one cherry eye and one ruptured umbilical hernia) plus he had the red mange - not contagious - just means that his immune system needs some help. He's taking meds and is much better now that he was in January. AND HE'S SO SWEET! I needed a sweet loving dog. Not one that is so hyper that he drives you crazy, but one that has a normal activity level, is socialized with other dogs, cats, humans, and is curious about his surroundings - AND is housebroken.

Snicker is all of these things. The first thing he did was reach up for me to pet him, then he stayed right by my side. We went out in the yard to play and he was having so much fun. He barked to get the other dogs attention and wanted them to come and play.

The vet tech there was telling me all about him. He's so sweet, so loving, they all loved him and he was one of their all time favorites. Coming from a vets office, I have to say that I am impressed. I saw how many files were on their walls. They have TONS of patients. And of all of those files, a good number had to be dogs.

Then I brought him through the vets office and he was fine with the other dogs, didn't bother the cats, was happy-go-lucky and off we went!!

We got into the truck and just sat in the cab for a little while. He and I were hugging and petting and he was so happy to be going home with me. NO issues with separation anxiety, hostility or any other psychological problems. All he wanted to do was sit on my lap.

He's about 15 lbs, I think a little over weight. He's a chihuahua mixed with something.....we're not sure. Some people said pug, it could be dachshund, I'm not sure and really I don't care. In fact, whatever he's mixed with, he's very smart.

I'm reading about positive dog training - using clickers and treats. He's a nibbler, so I might have a tough time with the treat part because he's not so hip to the treats. I will have to find something that is irresistible to him. Petco here I come. I did already buy him a little bandana and a little outfit for colder days. The girls laughed at him in his outfit and he wouldn't come out from under the table - so I don't think he liked it too much :)

So far, he only marked one spot in my bedroom where Rusty had marked alot..........I've cleaned, baking soda'd the carpet, Pet Odor Febrezed it and have tried everything to help him get past the Rusty smell. So far, that's all he's done. He's found a spot in my bed to sleep in between us at our feet, we don't have a problem with it. He sleeps all night, even snores!! It's hilarious!

We're off, going to take him to the dog park: http://www.nchumane.org/about/home.php in Oceanside. It's new as of last September. I've never been, but I heard it's nice. I'll let you know.

"The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant--and let the air out of the tires."

-- Dorothy Parker

Adopting a Dog

This is possibly the chihuahua that likes me enough to want to come home with us! Today at lunch, a friend and I went to the shelter. He has adopted dogs from the shelter before and he knew just what to ask about the dogs.

We liked this little girl, on the leopard dog bed. She doesn't have a name, was a stray, so she can't be adopted until Friday morning. And I'm first in line - what luck. She was friendly enough, but held her ground with her "roommate". He's the next chi in the list and he is VERY VERY friendly.

He jumped up and tried to lick us through the door and his eyes were saying "PICK ME! PICK ME!"

Then the cute, little girl growled at him and held her ground. She wanted us to Pick HER!! She growled and nipped at him, but he was the alpha because he managed to push her away from the door, then wagged his tail 100 mph and continued to try to lick us!! He barked a little, she barked a little more!



Then we saw Tiny. He is petite and I loved his coloring. He looks white in this picture, but really he's light tan, or they said he's YELLOW. His only problem was that he cowered in the corner, was shaking like a leaf, tail tucked and we couldn't tell if he was going to bite at us, growl at us or piss himself because he was scared. It really was hard to tell.

We spoke with one of the vet techs and she said that he has been scared since he arrived a few weeks ago. I'm just not sure about his behavior. After poor little Rusty, I want to be sure that we get a friendly dog. Not one with behavior issues.




This guy was lost, waiting to see if someone will claim him. I can't go see him until the weekend and I learned today that the best day to go is Wed or Thurs. We didn't see him, he's at a shelter that is kind of far but he's pretty cute!!

This is Montgomery. He was lost. He's also in a shelter that's not so close. He's a chi-mix, kind of big.

What I really want is a little, teeny, tiny, petite chihuahua. Purse dog type. Chihuahua's are loyal and one-person dogs. I want to be sure that I get just the right one.

Pandora Internet Radio

I have been listening to Pandora's Music for about a year now. I really like to concept and the variety that I get to listen to. If you have never tried it, it's so easy. You set up an account, tell the site what artist you like and they provide music that is similar. The artists are not well known but the music is great. I haven't been disappointed yet.

I have several radio stations set up according to my many moods. Like today, I'm working from home because I have to head into the office tonight at 9 and work until 1 or 2 am. Software launch, crazy schedule!! Anyway, I'm working in my home "office" which is my "sun" room. I have scented candles, liquid potpourri, cuddled up working in my papasan chair (I love this thing!!) and have my computer speakers hooked up - listening to "Sara McLaughlin" radio on Pandora's. It's blissful and I'm totally blessed!!

The way Pandora's works is like this - they present a song by the artist requested, then they pull songs that are similar. You help guide the channel by giving the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to each of the songs that you like or not. If you give the thumbs up or do nothing, the song plays in it's entirety. If you give the thumbs down, the song stops and it moves to the next one queued up. Pretty ingenious way to present the tunes and expose you to LOTS of new artists and music.

When I go into the office tonight, I am going to take in some baked Ziti - YUM! pick up some baguettes or french bread on my way in, take in a Starbucks Venti Coffee Light Frappachino, mmmm, doesn't that just sound so good??? And one of my co-workers is bringing in a homemade cheesecake - how spoiled is that!?! Our team is going to love us!!





Also, the rescue presented me with another dog choice. They PROMISE this little guy is socialized and is very loving, affectionate and playful. He had some issues, they have taken care of most of the problems so far. He's been neutered, has demodectic mange. I believe his is localized, and after reading the description of this type of mange, also referred to as "red mange", is non-contagious, but could be due to an immune system defect. I don't know if that means he could easily get some other illness, but I will definitely ask.

He also had cherry eye and that's been surgically corrected. And one more thing mentioned was an umbilical hernia repair, which I think could be a ruptured belly button, well dogs don't have belly buttons, but a protruding umbilical "something". I don't know. But all worthy topics with the vet to understand why this little guy had all of these things wrong with him already. He's only about 10 months or so.

ISN'T HE SO CUTE? I'M A SUCKER FOR A CUTE LITTLE DOG!! I COULD RESCUE ALL OF THEM IF I HAD THE ROOM :)