Photo collage ©2012 by PK Hawk
Snow Bear, Peanut, Pookie Bear, Sequoia Dawn and Sierra Rose

This is not an easy choice. As many of you may already know, I have been involved in pet rescue for many years, officially, and unofficially, for my entire life. Presently, I have three dogs, and a cat.

In my 67 years of life, I have had dogs, cats, parakeets, canaries, cockatiels, parrots, lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, fish of all kinds and varieties, horses, a donkey, as well as goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and even a tiny squirrel monkey. Add to those, an iguana, named Godzilla, and a Leopard gecko, hamsters, mice, oh yes, and Potbellied Pigs, some 34 at one time, as I was involved in a huge rescue program, where I ended up hand raising nearly one hundred baby piglets, some of which were only newborn, and in danger of being trampled and were abandoned by their mother, who was too young and too small to care for them. I ended up with thirty-four at the end of the main operation, and it took about two years to find permanent homes for those. They were all placed though. Every last one was spayed or neutered, vaccinated, wormed, and treated for mange mites which were sapping their life blood and strength.

Now, I have another little dog that was turned over to me by a neighbor who seems to have a problem taking responsibility for her choices and following through.

She moved into the community in October or November of 2011. In December, she got a tiny Chihuahua puppy. She told me it was for her granddaughter, who was way too young to even considering giving any pet of such small size and so young. She had no intention of having the little dog spayed, which is a huge problem here in California. Many people here seem to think that just because these Chihuahuas are a tiny, cute breed of dog, that they will be able to sell them, making money, and making more people happy to get a little Chihuahua of their own. Not true. California is practically overrun with Chihuahuas, most from irresponsible "backyard breeders," who have no idea what is involved in proper breeding for health and to prevent defects which these little animals will have to live with their entire life. Just as in breeding of any species of animal, there can be leg and joint problems, as well as problems with teeth, and formation of the head and even the jaw.

I have one of these dogs (Peanut), which I rescued from the pound in February of 2001, when he was only ten months old. His teeth fell out, and his lower jaw is about 3/4 inch shorter than the upper jaw, which makes eating difficult for him. His front legs are not properly formed, leaving his front feet splayed, too.

This new little Chihuahua is a wonderful dog, and appears to be healthy, at least so far. But, it is so unfair for this little dog to be passed around from one home to another, and then reclaimed again, but that is what has happened to "Pookie Bear, formerly called Emily," the Chihuahua. Well, that's all over for her. She has been through enough in her short eight month of life. She will be adopted into a loving, forever home very soon.

The older Chihuahua that I mentioned with the dental problem and that I rescued from the pound in 2001 is in this collage. He is second on top. This is Peanut. The new little Chihuahua that needs a new forever home is the one on the bottom left. The dogs on the right, are mother and daughter, Mom Sequoia Dawn, is the brindle, Chihuahua and Basenji. She is now eight years old. Her pup, the blond one, is Sierra Rose. Sierra is now a certified assistance and companion dog, who saved the life of her first charge no less than twice. She happens to be half Yorkshire Terrier, half Chihuahua and Basenji.

Sorry, I didn't have space for my kitty, Buddy Cat this time, but he is well and happily snoozing on my bed at the moment.

I guess I have already taken many so-called "free pets." I have re-homed most, and loved them all. My last free pet to date is Pookie Bear, the little Chihuahua mentioned and in the photo collage above. She will soon be in her new home, and will have a chance to be someone's very special, loved pet. Hopefully, she will have a long, healthy, and happy life.

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