Mylo: The killer Chihuahua

So, I saw Mylo on the PUP rescue site. He was at risk. He had been returned to the shelter twice so PUP jumped in to rescue him from being labelled as 'not adoptable' and one knows what happens to pups so labelled at the shelters . Well, we won't go there in this blog. There is a bad place. I had accidentally adopted a chihuahua / dachshund mix (now called a 'chiweenie') a few years back, and fell in love with the breed, mixed up as it was. There was much damage done during my initial training sessions with Frodo. All damage, of course, being done to either me or to my furniture. :) I never did figure out how that tiny thing reached those blinds. Ripped them to shreds, he did, but there is noway he could have reached them unless he took a flying leap off of the couch, landed on the narrow window pane, and then carefully, and viciously, ripped the blinds apart. That's how it must of happened of course, but Yikes! It was tragic. But Frodo, which is what I named my first rescue (as he was a wee one who had wondered away from his Shire), was unharmed and, eventually, he became house trained. Also, he started to go outside. It took me about a year before he would accept people as friends (and only then, some people) although some people he clearly dismissed as possible squirrels-in-disguise. Squirrels are clever that way, he thinks.

About then or nears about then, Brian, a past poker pro friend of mine shows up at my door and seems to be homeless and rootless. Which is really how I came about owning Frodo, so there is some symmetry there. And, to make a long story even longer, Frodo and Brian bond like there's superglu between them and you-know-who (points to herself) gets the boot. Brian moves out for a bit allowing me to see Frodo as I wish it, but they both eventually move to San Diego, where Frodo becomes (naturally) a ring-bearer for Brian and his new Bride at their wedding. He has a loving life there and has another chiweenie friend named Jake, so good times had be all. Except for me, the poor shmuck that was left without my friend, my dog, or my nice blue coffee cup (looks at Brian and raises her eyebrow).

Anyway, I shall mention Frodo from time to time just because he will always be in my heart, but my thoughts and my all is now focused on making a happy life for Mylo, my newest adoptee. Also, I will make sure no sneaky ex-poker pals come and stay with me and wind up binding themselves to my most-beloved pets. Those sly slysters. I have my eyes on you (points to her eyes and then to various parts of the country)!

Mylo has similar challenges to overcome that Frodo did when he first came to me. Namely, no house training really, no socialization, some abuse, paranoia and anxiety, and he shakes. All the time. Poor little mite. Our first meeting went good. I approach the rescuer and Mylo confidentially, and then I get down at his level and let him sniff me. Then I tell him him it's going to be ok. I speak chihuahua. Which I should have mentioned earlier, of course. He then says that I had better give him space because he is feeling very bite-y right now. I respond with a slow reach under his chin and pet him a bit there, talking nonesense words the whole time. After I do this for a bit, I pick him up and quickly hold him on my lap. He is confused as his rescuer is on a chair beside us and he really wants to be on her lap. But, I know she will be leaving him with me tonight and he won't see her again, so I need him to know me enough that he will be willing to allow me to alleviate some of the anxiety that he is definitely going to have for the next few days. I tell him over and over what a very nice good and brave pup he is, and also that he is VERY LARGE, no matter what anyone else tells him. We get along well enough (i.e. he doesn't try to bite me much) and I take him away that night. And while I knew my adventure was just beginning, I didn't know, and still don't know, the exact path and places this one will take us, so I thought Hey!! I will blog us! It is bound to be epic... full of evil squirrels and accidental poops. Epic, I tell you! He has a very epic face. Well, if it wasn't right now hidden in the crook of my arm. I suspect he is telling me it's bed time, and so it is. More later!