The other day I woke up, walked across my studio apartment, and stepped in poop. Chihuahua poop. This is unbelievable for two reasons: 1) No dog of mine is pooping in my house, and 2) I never thought I'd own a Chihuahua. Ever.
Well, sometimes, life brings you unexpected events, sometimes you do something a little crazy, and sometimes you just follow your heart. Adopting Max involved all three of these.
Well, sometimes, life brings you unexpected events, sometimes you do something a little crazy, and sometimes you just follow your heart. Adopting Max involved all three of these.
This is Max, and this picture was taken about a year ago. Max was surrendered by his owner after 15/16 years of ownership to a local shelter that euthanizes if necessary. Max was kept in the small dog room. A room with about 20-25 small cages filled with smaller dogs, puppies, or larger dogs that need to be immobilized due to an injury. Some of the dogs seem happy, some of the dogs seem sad, some of the dogs seem terrified, and some of the dogs are in shock curled up in the back of their cages. Max was terrified. For three straight days before his "jailbreak," Max cried, screamed, and clawed at his cage to get out. The picture you see above was snapped when Max was finally taken into foster care. Max was in two different foster homes for about a year. No one really inquired about Max because he was having some potty issues and because he is really stinkin' old. His intake papers aged him at 17!!!
I knew I wanted to help an older dog in need after visiting the small dog room in the shelter, and after a friend of mine adopted an older dog. There are so many old dogs in need of a place to spend their golden years. I saw dogs that were 12, 13, 14 years old in the small dog room. Where are they going to go? Who is going to take them? I heard a very sad story of one poor guy who spent a month in a cage in the small room before being put down. That's how he spent the last month of his life...in a small, noisy cage. It's just heartbreaking. I know I can't save all the old dogs, but I did decide to help one of them.
I took Max in for about two weeks while I finalized my decision. I wanted to make sure Max and Roddy got along, and that I could handle two pups on my own. Max was whiny, he cried, and he just wanted to be held. It was like having a newborn baby. He also wouldn't let anyone else get close to him, and would snap and growl and bite. However, after a few days of training and time to relax, Max began to figure things out. He began to make me laugh. His little personality came out, and he didn't go to the bathroom in the house...not once. He was really starting to fit in.
I took Max in for about two weeks while I finalized my decision. I wanted to make sure Max and Roddy got along, and that I could handle two pups on my own. Max was whiny, he cried, and he just wanted to be held. It was like having a newborn baby. He also wouldn't let anyone else get close to him, and would snap and growl and bite. However, after a few days of training and time to relax, Max began to figure things out. He began to make me laugh. His little personality came out, and he didn't go to the bathroom in the house...not once. He was really starting to fit in.
I officially adopted Max on Monday. It was pretty emotional, actually. His two former foster moms came to the shelter. After filling out paperwork, lots of kisses on his old man nose, and receiving many "thanks for taking one of the older ones," the little old man was officially mine.
Tuesday morning I woke up and stepped in Chihuahua poop, but I really didn't care. I figured it was a celebratory poop. And this is Max' freebie...his "get out of jail free" card.
Oh...did I mention he also has no teeth.... how could I stay mad at this gummy smile for that long anyway????
Tuesday morning I woke up and stepped in Chihuahua poop, but I really didn't care. I figured it was a celebratory poop. And this is Max' freebie...his "get out of jail free" card.
Oh...did I mention he also has no teeth.... how could I stay mad at this gummy smile for that long anyway????
If anyone reading this is considering adopting a dog, I urge you to just briefly consider an older dog. Max has brought a totally new aspect to my life, and I am truly grateful to have this ten pound pup hanging out with me for his golden years. And Roddy doesn't think he's so bad either.... :)