Update on Bella...

Bella's doing quite well... She's been re-trained to use the crate when needed and now sleeps with Desiree, Riley and Ruby at night... Her days are spent running around the house, playing 'catch me if you can' with the other dogs, and in the evenings, her favorite place to hang out and watch TV is on the back of the couch on top...

Bella's not a fan of sunbathing out back in the mornings (probably because she's so black), but she manages to find the shady spot on the chaise lounge while the Chihuahuas are sunbathing on the futon...



She's finally realized that she is NEVER going to catch one of those lizards that run across the brick wall in the back, but it doesn't stop her from alerting every time she sees one! :) What a goober!



She's doing quite well with meeting new strangers as well... Between coming to adoptions and visitors to the house, she's somewhat baffled at times by the other dogs' reactions to new people, but she's slowly learning it is OK... Previously she'd retreat and bark loudly - now she just retreats...

I suspect part of this is from her extreme blackness - both in coat and eyes, for humans relate to dogs through their eyes... When you can't clearly see a dog's eyes (because they're so dark), we humans tend to stare at them until we 'connect'... In dog language, an intense stare like this is a sign of aggression... And if you believe in Cesar's processes (no touch, no talk, no eye contact), it makes quite a bit of sense...

I myself feel 110% confident in Bella... Last week she was chewing on a Nylabone (her favorite!) and got a piece caught in her throat... I went into her mouth with my hand (clear down to where the airway separates) and pulled it out as she was choking on it... I never worried once was she going to bite me and she had complete confidence in me that I was helping her at the same time... If Bella was my favorite size and breed of dog, she'd have a home with me forever... She's EXTREMELY loving, playful and kind towards all she knows and loves - it's the initial meeting times with new people that are her downfall and preclude her from finding her furever home...

I have found none of the reasons she was returned to us going on, and now that she's been re-trained for the crate again, I never worry about leaving the house... I know she's safe and if she gets bored, she's got her Kong filled with goodies to keep her entertained in the crate while I'm gone... Bella's ideal home would be with another dog she can romp and play with - 20 pounds or larger - and/or with children (older than 6 or 7)... Bella is so young and so playful, she needs that kind of activity and interaction going on around her and engaging her...

She is especially devoted and loyal to those she loves and can't please you enough... As much self assurance and confidence as she has, I only need to look at her hard and she rolls over onto her back in submission... Yesterday I watched her lovingly lick her son's ears, then turned to one of the other fosters and do that to them (guess that mother's instinct never leaves you), so having a canine buddy to interact with is a must...

She's a sweetie alright and I will always have a special place in my heart for Bella!

Kimberly - what a sweetie!

Kimberly is a class example of neglect and inhumane treatment by a human towards a dog. She's tiny (4.5 pounds), has been neglected and is underweight, but the horrific part about her story is that someone deliberately notched both of her ears with something like a hole punch. The missing sections are uniform and the same size... sigh... A close up photo of her ears is located HERE.

Kimberly is a year old, exceptionally sweet despite all of the past bad treatment towards her -- friendly with other dogs and humans. She enjoys being held and cuddled. She's a major snuggle bunny!

Kimberly is up-to-date on all her shots (including rabies), micro-chipped and spayed. She would make a great 'only dog' for someone to treasure and cherish, or would buddy up in a home with other dogs. While she is learning the doggie door, she is still not completely potty-trained.

Due to her small size and for her own safety, we are limiting this adoption to homes without children under the age of ten and other dogs no bigger than ten pounds and with gentle personalities. If you are interested in adopting Kimberly, you can print out an adoption application HERE and fax it to 805-578-2604.

Ruby has been saved...

Ruby is 2 years old and weighs 10 lbs, 1 ounce. Listed as a Chihuahua by the shelter (anything small with pointed ears is listed as this breed), we suspect she is a poorly bred MinPin combined with some form of Terrier --- however she is not delicate like a MinPin is. So basically, she's a 'Heinz 57' dog unless her new owners wish to do a DNA test to find out the exact breeds.

Dropped off at the shelter by her owners with the comment "We're getting out the puppy selling business," we're not sure what the rest of her back story is... Did she have the puppies and they were sold, then momma was dumped at the shelter?... Did she lose her puppies and then they dumped her? We're not sure exactly happened to her, but we couldn't leave her behind in the shape she was. Her mammary sacks are engorged with milk and she has mastitis in several, so she's under veterinary care and still intact until she is improving and can then be spayed.



Ruby is also a tiny bit fearful (shelter stint? losing her pups? combination of the two plus more?), but she absolutely adores young ladies for she bonded to a young TLC volunteer (age 20) on the spot, then crying at the door when she left. Ruby now sleeps with this young volunteer foster mom and is definitely a lap dog. Quiet and pretty cautious in general, but when Ruby likes you, she's inseparable. Some things she should already have been exposed to (like mirrors), but she's learning about new things every day as she no longer is breeding stock, but lives in a foster home like a normal dog.

Ruby uses the doggy door and listens well. She's got a beautiful, silky coat and the most precious eyes when she looks up at you. Ruby up-to-date on her shots (including rabies) and micro-chipped. Although by California law, she cannot be adopted until she is spayed, we are taking applications in advance for her adoption. You can print out the adoption application HERE and fax to 805-578-2604 or meet her at adoptions on Saturdays. We'll keep this blog updated with her condition and other great tidbits as she is fostered!

Chloe is moving forward, slowly but surely...

Chloe now comes up on my lap at night and allows me to pet her without that 'fear or flight' automatic reaction... I've had her two months now as a foster and it is hard to remember how she was when she first arrived here other than that tail cemented between her legs all the time, the slung-down walk she had and that constant fear look in her eyes... I don't think I'll ever forget that visual image of her as long as I live!

She's one of the first dogs there when I am handing out cookies (and usually up on her hind legs too!)... Chloe isn't afraid any longer to be within a few feet of my legs as I pass by her vicinity... Chloe was barky at first - to the point she was extremely annoying - until the day I watched and saw that the barking was coming from anxiety and not a need to alert or 'dog-talk' to anyone... It was almost as if she was saying to herself, "I'm SCARED and I just don't know what to do here, so I'm going to bark, bark, bark to relieve myself of these pent-up feelings of fear and anxiety"... You could have hit me over the head with a feather the day I realized that...

She's begun to be possessive of me now, and that's not a good behavior, but it signifies to me that she has learned to trust again... I still wonder what was done to her before she came into our lives that could so psychologically damage such a little sweet girl like this... sigh...

It is said it takes two weeks to learn a new behavior but two month to undo an old one... Dogs are extremely situational by nature, but when her buds were adopted and she once again was left behind, she moped around for about a week - almost in grief... She hasn't been able to find another kindred soul for I truly believe dogs know who is psychologically balanced and who is not...

When Bingo arrived, Chloe found a new buddy who she is developing a friendship with... Unfortunately for Chloe, Bingo is exceptionally human-friendly, so it causes her to stop and observe with almost a bit of confusion when Bingo is called, for he comes willingly and desires a deep interaction and loving bond with humans...

It is almost like I can see the brain ticking inside Chloe's head... "Hmmmm... He is actually running towards those alien people and craving those head scratches and pets???... No food involved, so is he off his rocker???... Or is it me???"...

What abuses happened to her in her past lives to destroy the almost natural desire to interact with us humans?... Putting aside the fact she was used as a breeder, Chloe has this gorgeous coat that is not only very unique in coloring, it is like silk and I'm a tactile person, so part of me is struggling to not consistently reach out and pet her so that I myself can enjoy the softness of her coat... How could even a backyard breeder not want to stroke that coat and enjoy it as much as I do?... I just don't get it... I truly do not...



Chloe really needs to find a furever home with someone who understands the deep scaring caused by physical abuse... She's not a biter but a fearful dog who would rather run and hide than confront someone who might potentially hurt her again... Chloe is 'right there' now... She's ready to trust again and enjoy the things she sees the other dogs indulging in... Now we just have to find that truly unique and special person who sees the enormous potential in Chloe that I see...

How's Tricks?

Trixi is one of those dogs you need to see in person to appreciate what a beauty she is... Her eyes vary from a deep dark amber to almost a chocolate color, depending upon how the sunlight hits them... And when I first pulled her out of the shelter, I thought she was cream and black... Turns out (after a much needed bath), she's alabaster white and black with liver spots, and a black 'Batgirl' mask similiar to Jack Russells... However, no 'Jack bounce' so we're at a loss as to what she is mixed with (if she is)...

About 9 pounds, Trixi is a year old this month and was an owner surrender due to the economy... So far, no bad habits and gets along with the other fosters as well...

See Trixi's blog HERE for more pictures and details!

And Bingo was his name, oh!

Bingo is one of the dogs us die-hard Chihuahuas lovers SO enjoy... Sadly, many of us have watched this breed deteriorate in the past 10 years or so since it became a 'celebrity piece of jewelry'... The pretty apple-head and shortened snout bridge were lost... The unique and unusual coat patterns diffused as designer variations became the 'flavor of the month' and while breeding down to the smallest possible size, the health issues genetically mounted in this breed I love so much...

Bingo is 10 months old and while his first pictures don't show it, this dog has SO much potential for us old die-hard Chi lovers... He's a bit underweight for his frame (6 pounds, 8 ounces) but has gone nutso over my home cookin' and extra goodies, so it won't take long for his spinal column to retreat back to where it belongs... Bingo could gain about 8 ounces and then he's be absolutely perfect, weight wise...

Depending on which side you see him from, he's one of those Chihuahuas you can enjoy just looking at (once good nutrition repairs the past few months of poor nutrition)... From the arrow on his forehead to the hearts of brown in his coat on the sides, it is very similar to laying in a meadow and looking up at the clouds - every time you sit and watch him, you see something else patterned in his coat you hadn't seen before...

His head has that 'pushed-in' heavy look that Pugs and Bulldogs have... His frame looks much heavier than he is and he's a throwback to the older generations of Chihuahuas... In fact, I suspect that when he was neutered earlier this week, they guesstimated on his weight and for hours later, he walked around like a drunken sailor! Poor guy! But the vet techs loved his name and said he really fit it well... They too were amazed how easily he is handled, for Chihuahuas have such a bad reputation now... sigh...

Bingo is SUPER sweet and has already found a spot on the couch at night, sitting and watching TV with my husband... He got along from the first moment he arrived here and is not dominant, aggressive or 'yappy'... He prefers to sleep curled up in a ball and if there's a blankee or cushy doggie bed around, he's THERE first! :)

I consistently enjoy the visual expressions he has as you can see from this one:



... for the one I manage to catch with the camera, there's at least nine more I didn't!

I don't have cats or small children to temperament test him with, but he's been sweet with the pups and not even curious about them... He's been kindly towards our 15-year old Chi who suffers from dementia... Bingo is curious about what is going on around him, plays with Chloe, Sunshine and Nacho now - engaging in at least several sessions of 'catch me if you can' in the backyard.

He'll make a great addition to another Chi lover's home and he's so young, he'll give you many long years of love and devotion!

Ginger's pups...

Ginger's three pups have distinctly different personalities as well as appearances...

Sugar is the largest and has the shortest hair length so far... She's the one who is first to investigate a new toy, leave her mark on the pitty pad, etc... When sleeping, she sorta/kinda plops into the puppy dog pile and really doesn't care who she is stepping or laying upon!

Honey is the middle of the road in all aspects... She's a massive fluff ball, but the hair is soft and just not as curly as Cinnamon's is... Honey prefers to watch and allow Sugar to investigate something new before she moseys over herself... She's just an easy going personality...

Cinnamon is the smallest in the litter and what I'd call a 'woosey baby'... Cinnamon will sit in the middle of the puppy pen and cry for no reason! :) On occasion however, Sugar is a bit dominant and I have to fuss at all three of them...

All three are using the pitty pad now, I still am supplementing the twice a day feeding by Ginger with puppy formula and goats' milk, in addition to chicken, rice & veggies and kibble wetted down... So far, so good... All are gaining weight and now sleeping through the night!