Tales & Tails of New York

 

 

 

 

My lap has not been empty since Charlie Chan, our little Chihuahua mix's adoption.

 

Several of the cats, particularly, Blue and his gal pal, JoJo have been vying for it.

 

It's nice to be able to play and cuddle with my cats again.

 

It seems whenever I foster a small dog, my cats are somehow relegated to the lower rungs of the totem pole here.

 

This is why I like to allow a break between dog fosters.  One has to balance the needs of the animals already in the home with the needs of new rescues who come in temporarily.  Its not always easy and its not always fair.

 

I am lucky to have very understanding and tolerate animals.  Tina, my dog is especially cognizant of the "deals" here.  

 

But, even a patient and empathetic dog has limits.

 

During the almost 11 years I've had Tina, she has probably seen almost a 100 dogs come and go.

 

Though Tina has been good and tolerant towards almost all of her canine contemporaries, there have been a few who Tina couldn't wait to see "go."

 

One was a particularly feisty and dominating Pekingese, named "Nina" who positively hated and was insanely jealous of Tina.

 

Every time Nina was perched on my lap and Tina attempted to venture over, a major dog fight ensued.  Nina would lunge and charge at Tina.  Tina would vigorously defend herself.

 

It was not at all pretty.  And nothing about the situation was harmonious or easy.

 

I had the beautiful, but extremely difficult little Pekingese for about 6 months before she was finally adopted.

 

Nina not only hated other dogs, but she also had "issues" with strangers.

 

She was the best "guard/attack dog" I ever had -- even biting two of my volunteers when they haplessly ventured into my apartment.

 

Nina was finally adopted to an older couple who rarely had visitors.

 

Even so, it took Nina a couple of weeks to settle in with and finally accept them.

 

For such a beautiful and "adorable" little dog, Nina was one of our very toughest adoptions.

 

Another dog who Tina was happy to see leave was "Cubby."

 

But, for entirely different reasons.

 

From the moment, the just-neutered, male red Chow came into my home, he fell like a ton of bricks madly in love with Tina.  (Who could blame him?  Tina, is after all, a looker!)

 

Cubby was so ga ga over Tina, he literally could not and did not keep his paws off of her!

 

Tina, was once again, very tolerant of the amorous advances of the love sick Chow. -- That is, until Cubby tried repeatedly to hump her!

 

OK..  Tina is extremely amiable and patient.

 

But, she is also virtuous and spayed.

 

Over and over again, Tina had to jump and snap at the horny and charged up Chow, like an indignant and insulted princess smacking an unruly suitor.

 

 

Thankfully, the amorous Chow was adopted within a few days.

 

Afterwards, my emotionally exhausted Tina, slept for almost five days.  Even walks in Central Park could not rouse or pique her enthusiasm!  

 

It had all been too much for Tina. -- Even worse than putting up with the temperamental and nasty little Pekingese.

 

Tina can put up a good fight when she has to.  But, beating off oversexed, lovesick Chow Chows was way beyond her patience and endurance.

 

I have not personally fostered a Chow Chow again in my home.

 

I have to respect my dog's emotional and physical limits.

 

As for Charlie?  How did Tina like the lap-dependent and somewhat "territorial" little Chihuahua/Min Pin mix?

 

Not a whole lot.

 

There were a few squirmishes between the two dogs, all of which, Charlie started.  Though due to Tina being much bigger than Charlie, she quickly put him in his place.

 

Since Charlie's departure, I've owed Tina special hugs and cuddles -- and some really, really long walks.

 

It's all well and good again -- that is, until the next little dog foster. -- PCA

 

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