The curse of the ‘Purse Puppy’

There are currently seven Chihuahua or Chihuahua mixes living at Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue.  From Taco to Annabelle, Casabella to Tacquito Patrico, these little buddies have a lot of love to give and they are patiently waiting for that someone special to come and bring them to a forever home.

My guess is the latest onslaught of Chihuahua surrenders is due to the fact that people see certain movies with cute talking Chihuahuas and automatically think that any dog of the same breed is going to be as friendly, bright and playful. Here’s the problem, if you don’t do your homework on the breed you’re considering, you may end up surprised at certain behaviors.

Take the Chihuahua. Did you know that Chihuahuas can become extremely attached to their owners and when not properly socialized can become territorial and protective. When socialized well, this little companion can be playful, lively and loving.

Because Chihuahuas are so small and cute, often times they can be coddled and babied which can lead to other behavioral problems, such as dominance. But when trained and treated in a firm, but loving way, can be wonderful family pets and companions.

Their slight size can also make for challenges around young children who must be taught early on to treat these little guys with gentleness and respect. They can be easily injured and can become skittish when found in uncertain situations such as being lifted up over and over again.

And while Chihuahuas have been called “purse puppies” it’s important to note that these energetic pups need daily exercise. Not only will walks provide mental and physical stimulation, they can help curb behavior issues stemming from boredom and lack of exercise.

Chihuahuas are intelligent, learn quickly and can respond well to firm, consistent positive reinforcement training. When raised well, these little dogs are loving, sweet and amazing lifelong companions.

If I could stand on my soapbox for just a minute, I would like to say that celebrities that carry their Chihuahuas around in sparkly purses are doing their dogs, and other dogs of the same breed, a sad disservice.  Ordinary people see Chihuahuas portrayed this way, go out and (hopefully) adopt one and then are disappointed when they run into behavioral issues. The result, hundreds of Chihuahuas sent to shelters across the country every day.

While movies like Beverly Hills Chihuahua and the Taco Bell dog provide a humorous and often sweet portrayal of this lively breed, remember to rely on experts for actual breed information and do your homework before you make your decision. It’s only fair. Any Chihuahua is a shelter today would tell you that.

A Special Sunday

Today was a great day. I normally don’t volunteer at the shelter on Sundays, but they needed someone to do warm compresses on a couple of the dogs that had surgery. It was just me with more than 15 dogs and I loved every minute of it.

After doing a little bit of clean up and saying hello to all of the dogs, I took Cupid, a super sweet Shih Tzu mix, onto my lap for her warm compresses. She settled in quick and dozed while I held her. The shelter’s radio was playing classical music and all of the dogs were quiet. It was so peaceful. Next came Mickey, a Bichon Frise. He sat on my lap for a few minutes, but was anxious with the other dogs close by so I brought him back to his crate and finished the compresses there. He was relaxed even though he still has some pain from his surgery.

After that was done, I spent some time with Stella. The special, one-eyed Silky Terrier that I mentioned a few posts back. She was excited to see me and we cuddled on the couch for a little while. All she wanted was some tummy rubs and a few good scratches behind her ears.

After a couple of hours, I headed out. The drive home was quiet as well. I haven’t been that relaxed in a long time. I’ll have to plan more visits on Sundays – it’s the perfect way to end a week.

The Little Shelters That Could

There are several large, well-funded animal welfare, shelter and rescue organizations across the United States. They do amazing work and are very successful in the adoption of pets, spay/neuter initiatives, public education, and advocacy in general. They bring much needed attention to the plight of animals in need and it’s through their efforts that many millions of animals find forever homes every year. They are masters at generating awareness for a cause and their work benefits everyone.

However, this post is dedicated to all of the small, privately funded rescues and shelters across the country that do their very best every day of every year to save and protect animals from neglect and abuse. They work hard to place these animals with the right owners so that they can live the rest of their lives in loving homes. They implement successful foster programs, training initiatives and adoption programs with little to no funds and a slew of volunteers. They use their own paychecks or organize grass-roots efforts to raise the money to provide much needed medical care, supplies and facility maintenance. They are intensely passionate, committed and know each of their animals by name. They open their doors to animals other shelters don’t want. They push their capacity limitations so that every animal can be given a chance at a better life. They cry when they’ve made a perfect match and their hearts hurt when an abused or neglected animal is turned over to them. They are every day people who have used their own money and means to make a difference.

So, here’s to all the little shelters who have shown us that when the passion is strong enough the impossible is possible.

You’re formally invited

Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue in Mukwonago, Wisconsin is requesting the public’s presence at the joining of paws for two very special rescue dogs. Stevie, a special West Highland White Terrier/Poodle mix will wed his mystery bride on Saturday, February 19^th at 6:00 p.m. at For Pet’s Sake Dog Training at 828 Perkins Drive in Mukwonago.  

Families and their canine friends are invited to witness the exchange of the dogs’ wedding vows and tags. An Elvis impersonator will serenade the couple and a dog and a human wedding cake will be served. An open Muttini bar will be available for all canine attendees and a secured dance floor will be provided for those four-legged friends who want to kick up their paws. A silent auction, interactive games, raffles, pet portraits, food, drinks and music, as well as animal communicator, Tresa Laferty ($25 for a 20-minute session), will be provided for everyone’s entertainment.

Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue is requesting a $10 donation at the door and/or a selection from the couple’s gift registry at End of the Leash in Mukwonago. They are registered for items such as Diamond dry puppy food, canned Pedigree® puppy or adult food, Kuranda dog beds and Martingale Collars in petite, small, or medium sizes. An RSVP is appreciated, but not necessary, to 414-750-0152.

Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue is committed to the rescue, care and adoption of Bichon Frises, Shelties and other small breeds and mixes. Primarily serving Southeastern Wisconsin and Northeastern Illinois, Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue takes in dogs surrendered by their owners, dogs found as strays and those rescued from puppy mills.

What’s in a name?

One of the things I really like about the shelter where I volunteer is how the owner names the dogs that come in. Those being surrendered keep their given names, but dogs coming from puppy mills or the streets need to be given an identity. She names the dogs after current events, holidays, celebrities, etc., so that she can remember when the dogs came in or things about their personalities. For instance, Tinsel, a senior Dachshund, came in around Christmas time. Bucky the Yorkie and T.C. and R.B. the Bichons came in during the Rose Bowl so they were named accordingly – Bucky Badger, Texas Christian and Rose Bowl. Curly Lambeau, the Standard Schnauzer/Lhasa Apso mix, came in after the Green Bay Packers won the National Championship. Streaker, the speedy terrier mix. When I first started, there were even some small Chihuahuas named after the Beatles.

While this is a clever technique, I’m more impressed that she takes the time to carefully and thoughtfully name them. She gives them an identity after they’ve come from a place where they were just one of hundreds or lost and alone on the streets.

What’s in a name? Sometimes it’s the difference between a lifetime of abuse and neglect or a lifetime of unconditional love and affection.

Thinking of Stella Today

Yesterday, I met a Silky Terrier named Stella. She was separated from the other dogs in the shelter because she had just had eye surgery. Stella was surrendered by her owners and came to the shelter with bad eyes. One was hazy and showed signs infection. The other was so infected that it eventually ruptured and had to be removed. She was wearing an Elizabethan collar and had a long line of stitches where her left eye had been. Her other eye was cloudy and goopy. When I went into the room, she looked up at my from the cozy bed in her crate and pricked up her ears. I slowly opened the crate door and coaxed her out. She stumbled out onto the floor, clumsy with her collar and moving slowly from her pain. She came right to me and leaned against my knees. She was making quiet grunting and whining noises. She was in obvious pain. After petting her for a few minutes, I went and told the caretaker about Stella and we gave her some of her pain medication and an antibiotic.

Afterward, I sat with her for a while. She was eager for attention and never left my side. I’d get up and moved across the room and she followed. She had a slight limp and we noticed that the muscles in her hind legs were different. One was normally shaped while the other was concave. The shelter owner said that her original owners had mentioned something about her hind legs when they surrendered her, so it’s probably a condition she’s had for a while.

Regardless of her pain, she was as sweet as can be. While I was feeding her, she gently took the food from my fingers. She ate daintily even though she was very hungry. She drank some water, relieved herself and came back to me for more affection. As the pain medicine kicked in, she became drowsy so I put her back in her crate. She curled up, closed her eyes and whimpered quietly when I closed the door. 

I heard from the shelter today and Stella seems to be doing better. While she still needs to be hand fed, she is eating and drinking. I hope she recovers quickly so she can readied for adoption.

Stella touched my heart. I’ll be thinking of her and praying for her recovery. See you soon, Stella.

CAPS vs. Bauck (Video)

This video tells the story of how CAPS, the Companion Animal Protection Society, brought down a large-scale puppy mill in Minnesota. While graphic at times, it tells the story of the all too common practices taking place all over the country. When looking for a pet, please consider adoption from a local animal shelter, animal rescue or Humane Society.

Who wants a Taco?

The dog rescue where I volunteer currently has quite a few Chihuahuas up for adoption. These sweet little pups would love to find their forever homes.

I first met Taco back in November.  Taco is an 8-year-old, 7 pound, long-haired male Chihuahua mix.  Cute as a button, this tri-color pup was found as a stray in Waukesha County. Like many Chihuahuas, he seems to prefer women to men and would probably do best in a female only home or one that will be understanding that he is going to need some time to warm up to the males in the household. Taco is a little shy and while he sometimes ducks away from the person trying to pet him, he is submissive and is just trying to avoid a situation that might make him uncomfortable. He’s super cute which makes everyone want to reach out and pet him, so his new owners will need to give him the extra time he needs to warm up to people he doesn’t know. 

Taco has had his vet work updated, including neutering and having his teeth cleaned.   If you are looking for an incredibly cute, older Chi, Taco may be your man!

To learn more about Taco, click here.

What a little love can do…

What a difference a week makes and what a great job everyone is doing at Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue! When I went in to volunteer today, the puppy mill pups I mentioned a couple of posts back were in the main room with all of the other dogs. They were bathed, groomed and looking absolutely adorable.

I started by cleaning out their run. As I approached the gate and knelt down, the two Bichon Frises stuck their noses through and covered my fingers with kisses. Even the Yorkshire Terrier tried to get in on the action. I opened the gate and stepped inside. The Yorkie moved away from me, but was sniffing curiously and inching closer, his tail wagging. Both of the Bichons were wagging their tails furiously and greeting me with quick licks and sniffs. All three were friendly and excited to have a visitor. As I pulled up their soiled papers and collected their beds and toys for cleaning, they continued to follow me, moving in a funny little dance of playful curiosity. When I mopped the floor, all three sat patiently on a raised dog bed and waited for me to finish. I placed new beds and blankets in the run and brought them some clean toys. I tossed them into the run and the dogs excitedly scrambled after them. Toys – a new luxury for them – and they were enjoying them to the fullest.

It was so fun to see these puppy mill pups coming out of their shells and displaying the beginnings of their social little selves. Very soon, these cute little guys will make someone very happy.

I’ll post some pictures of them soon so you can see how adorable they are!

A Whole New World

To me, there’s nothing quite as heartbreaking as a dog rescued from a puppy mill. Some are paralyzed by fear, others are eager to socialize but completely unaware of how to go about it. Many are sickly, undernourished, dirty and scared. Their exposure to humans is so limited that their first few days after rescue find them frozen with fear, reclusive and running at the sight of a human being.

Right now at the rescue, there is a Yorkshire Terrier and two Bichon Frise pups that were given up by a commercial breeding facility. When I went into their room, they immediately fled to the corner and eyed me up. The Yorkie seemed fearful and the Bichons were curious but unsure. I turned my back to them and waited. Slowly, the two Bichons came forward and sniffed at me. They even licked my hands. As soon as I moved or made eye contact, they ran. They barked, but not fearfully, and bounced playfully, but they wouldn’t approach unless I had my back turned. I could tell that they were friendly and eager to interact, they were just uncertain.

The little Yorkie kept his distance, circling me and sniffing the air. With each circle he came a little closer, but never close enough to touch me. He seemed a little more fearful than the others, but not aggressive in any way.

They had come from a stark, loveless environment and were now in a place where they will experience human interaction, a kind touch, good food and clean place to eat and sleep. They are in a new world and their rehabilitation will be a challenge. The rewards, however, will be extraordinary. Their caretakers at the rescue and their future forever family will need plenty of patience and understanding in helping these amazing animals transition to a life that, at first, can be very overwhelming.

In the beginning, reassurance is necessary. Things like using the outdoors to go to the bathroom, walking on a leash, meeting new people, as well as experiencing a world outside of a cage, filled with new sights, smells and sounds, can be terrifying to a dog who spent its formative years in a puppy mill. It will take time and it will be critical to go at the dog’s pace in order to build its confidence so that it can begin to overcome its fear.

Meeting these dogs for the first time brought a rush of feeling about my dog, Toby. He, too, was rescued from a puppy mill. Fortunately, he was rescued very early on and was adopted by us at about 12 weeks of age. While he was standoffish in the beginning, he quickly grew to trust us and easily accepted the love we had to give.  I can’t imagine him having to live in a mill environment, petrified, dirty and unloved.

I hope I can participate in the rehabilitation of the cute little pups at the rescue. They deserve a second chance at a new life where they can experience all the love that a forever family has to offer.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a great article on their website about adopting a puppy mill dog. Click here to check it out.