CHI-CHI Is A Teenager

Many of you helped me through the pain of losing my little Gus. I shared my life with him for over ten years.  He was there through the nasty boyfriend, the ups and downs of work, he was my protector in the city, and my friend always. Diligently waiting for me to come home everyday. He spent his last three days with me refusing to let me fuss to much, he stayed right by my side, and when he couldn't walk anymore, he finally gave up and let me carry him. I did not know when I dropped him off at the vet, I would never see him again. I still cry.

My friends in the city, and my daughter, got together, and bought me a toy-teabcup terrier, and toy-tea cup chihuahua. I named him CHI-CHI Rodriguez. Let me tell you all about this character.

When she knocked on my door, she said"Mom come outside, I have something for you from everybody that knew you and Gus! No one will take no for an answer and I have to go back to the city."

I went outside. and first the tears came, and I turned to run inside, I saw the tiny dog on the ground, all big eyes, and ears. And I just couldn't face the thought of another dog just yet.  I loved my friends and her for the thought, but no, not for me.

She looked at me and said, "Mom, Gus would not want you way down here all alone and that is that. This was the last one, and everyone wants you to keep him. He is the last of the litter, and he did not sell, because he is too tiny, and he will have to go to the pound.

Well, I started crying . And I gave her every reasonable argument I could think of but she had me take him in the house, and she got his food, and the littlest red collar, complete with Bling! Bling! I had seen in a long time. When she set him in the floor, he looked up at me, and ran over to her in terror. I know I looked like a Giant to him, and one that was bawling like a baby also.

I went to get him some water, (it is a two-hour drive to my house from the city) and I heard a noise as I went into the kitchen. When I came out she was gone. I was very angry at first. Of all the nerve I thought, I did not say I wanted the dog, if Gus was to have a "replacement" (not possible) I should at least be the one to pick him/her out. I had acually thought about another Dobie, I get along fine with them, and we suit each other. Now I was stuck. But so was this tiny little dog. (Melting)

So I picked him up to have a look at him,( too cute for words) and he looked right into my eyes. They held a world of worry, fear, but a little tail wagging was going on, so I sat down with him on my lap.(score one for his side) He was brown, and had a little black stripe from his forehead to the end of his tail. He was short haired, and so little. In the bag of food , and one with a few toys, was a note stating she would be back in few days, to see what was going on, and if I wanted, they would all chip in and pay for his shots. I could not imagine what he weighed., He curled up against me, and promptly began to chew on my fingers. It was gonna be harder than I thought. He licked my hand, raised his ears and waited. I hated the power.

Later, I held him in one hand, and a five pound bag of sugar in the other, nowhere near close. Next a one pound can of coffee, getting warmer. I guessed him at one pound and six oz. I would find out at the vet, a few days later, I was right. Yes, I kept him, and it has been an adventure! What a little fireball.  Already giving orders,  SMILE!) and he has not stopped chewing everything I buy him. He eats everything, and is very protective of his toys. And they are not allowed to sit "on" me at all. I can hold them long enought to play fetch, that is it. He weighs about four pounds now, and I don't think he will get any bigger. I have only stepped on his little self twice, and that was early on, I cried both times, and so did he. He forgave me.I learned to look for him, he learned feet on human's was not a good thing coming at him.

He has his own little ways, and he is all young man dog. He keeps all his toys in different spots,and if I move them, he saunter's right back and picks them up and puts them back were He had them. He brings one bone to bed every nite, where he sleeps behind my knees every nite, unless he feels affectionate, which he is often, and then he sleeps by my neck. It took me two weeks to get him to stop playing with my hair for twenty minutes, it is long, and I take it down at nite, until he tires enough to finally give up, and sleep.

 Now that it has gotten cold he has his own "Blanket", and it must not be moved.

He cries for me when I leave, and covers me with kisses when I come home. I watch him grow and learn, and share my dinner with him. He is already a fierce watch dog.  I find myself worrying about him now, if I am detained getting home. How will he get to the outside to go to the bathroom. What if it gets dark before I get there, and what if he is cold? Chi-Chi is a real southwest type dog, he hates the cold. So do I. He loves ice cream.

So. I have a new little dog, we were brought together by the loss of Gus. He plays with all of Gus's old toy's, that Gus picked out himself at Petsmart. I try to tell myself Gus really would not want me to be alone. He was so protective, and did not ever leave my side when at home in  ten years. He knew all of my moves, and all of our ways in the house, all of our company within two hundred miles. And he let me know who he liked or did not..

Chi-Chi is his own little self, and he is not like Gus at all. he is not a replacement. We have learned to care about each other. He will come and look for me now, if he cannot see me, and vice versa. He is too tiny, and he does not know it. He stands up and drops his paws and looks like a meercat, peering all around, looking for enemies. (smile) I know he thinks he is standing just like me. He tries to do all kinds of human things. But the best thing Chi-CHi does, is be with me. I am glad we gave each other a chance. He is now my dog, and I am his keeper. But in his little mind he is the boss, and that is ok. Most of all, we are friends, and that is a good thing to be.  He owes me a pair of slippers tho, and four pair of shoestrings, (he loves these) two hot rollers, one roll of toilet paper, and a new purse.

I guess my boy is gonna get a job! Ok. I'll let him slide this time,,,,,,,,,,,, Ellen B