Hi Deanna I read your touching story which brought tears to my eyes. I think ricky is ajusting very well now. (even with his grouchy moments). He has never ran out our front door except to find me coming home & up the stairs! He will pass up my hubby & daughter to get to me. I really love Ricky so much. I recently bought a book on chihuahua's. Its called "The Chihuahua Handbook by D. Caroline Colle, PH,D.
I am about 1/4 thru it as I just started reading it last night. I was shocked to read so many things about what a chihuahua really is (people dog etc) that I thought they wrote the book about my Ricky! LOL If any one is interested in this book, I got it off ebay for under $10. Ricky will be here to stay FOREVER!! He also went thru the phase of not eating as you all know, and yes I was overly concerned only because he was skin and bones when I got him. We are on the right track now with him as he is with us or me. I have to tell you all that my husband ( from India) was not a dog or animal person at all. We have been married for near 10 years now. He has always said NO to a dog or cat. But I recently begged him to allow me a small dog. He finally gave in and said yes. To my surprise, my hubby is the one who will give the snacks, treats table scraps, and toys to Ricky. He will only pets Ricky head when he comes to him.. he does not hold ricky. Its a cultural thing. :) But he is the one who told me not to get rid of Ricky... just to keep training him and working with him and he will be ok. I was so surprised he said that. About 1 month after getting Ricky, I wanted to go to the SPCA where we got him and see the nice lady that helped us be able to adopt Ricky. This lady even lied on our paperwork for us saying we OWNED our condo and not rented. she said sometimes the boss lady will frown on renters. we took Ricky to show her, and she was very pleased. But I wont do it again, as Ricky was shaking alot thinking we were going to leave him there! He is so smart one more story: When I take Ricky in the car, he has a carrying case in the back seat to ride in. I leave him in it while I run into the store quickly. My daughter and I came back out to the car last week, to find Ricky out of the carrier and in the front seat!! The carrier has a zipper... and he had UNZIPPED IT SOMEHOW TO GET OUT!! hmmm what a mind he has. He is always thinking. he will sit and stare at this plush toys in his bed, then rearrange them so he will fit in the bed TOO! so funny! thanks to everyone on this list!! You all are the best!! so caring and loving to all. Shanna --- On Mon, 10/25/10, Deanna Corey <[email protected]> wrote: From: Deanna Corey <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Ricky Needs A New Home, JOYCE... To: [email protected] Date: Monday, October 25, 2010, 11:49 PM I want to share a story with you about my Mouse...maybe it might help you to struggle through Ricky's moods a little more...lend a possible understanding to what he might be feeling. My Mouse is 7 years old. When Mouse was 4 my husband and I were going through a very difficult time...we kind of fell out of love...and my dogs were a VERY big source of irritation for him...not because of the dogs really...but because of his "lack of feelings" for me. I decided to re-home some of my dogs...and I found a wonderful home for Mouse...a nice family that seemed to really love him. From the very minute he went home with them he was NOT happy. He did not eat for a full month...only a little water. He ran away 4 times from them and the 4th time...6 months after he went to live with this family... they could not find him. This family lived 75 miles away from me...down in the valley. We live up in the San Bernardino Mountains. Mouse was found in a roadway at the bottom of my mountain by a very nice lady that took him to a Vet where they scanned his micro chip and then called me. Mouse was found 14 miles from my door and 61 miles away from his "new" family. Mouse had only to start up the 330 to get home...he was almost home!!! I PRAISE GOD everyday that that lady had the sense to take him to the Vet...he was in very bad shape and would most likely NOT made it up the mountain with hawks, coyotes, cars etc. MOUSE...even though he was loved at his new house...was MISERABLE without his Mama!!! He was coming home no matter what it took. I will tell you that in all the years Mouse lived with me he NEVER went out our door...never had a desire to be anywhere but RIGHT by my side!!! MOUSE was on his way home...to me!!! I tell you this so you might understand what Ricky might be feeling. Ricky might really be miserable right now becaue he misses his previous family. Give him time and just keep loving him...and teach him some boundaries with love...that first bond can be so VERY strong...strong enough that dogs sometimes leave a safe, warm, loving place to go back where they think they belong. FYI- my hubby and I have fallen back in love and re-committed ourselves to each other. I have forgiven him for the affair that he had and he has forgiven me for my very selfish ways. Our marriage is better than ever!!!! Next June will be our 30th wedding anniversary and I know the next 30 will be WAY better than the first 30!!! He LOVES my dogs and build things for them and plays with them as much as I do now. MOuse coming home meant so much to him...that Mouse loved us enough to risk his life to come back home was HUGE in my husband's mind and really made him re-think so much. ...oh and one more thing....I will NEVER re-home one of my dogs again!!!! This is their one and ONLY home till either I die or they do!!! There is nothing that would/could separate us again!! Hold fast to Ricky and just know that there will be good times and bad...be patient...be strong...and never stop learning all you can!! Shanna...since you joined here I have listened as you worried and fretted over Ricky...asked everyone for advice about all issues from feeding to behavior! I have NO doubt you have what it takes to make it work with Ricky!!!! You care!!!! You are willing to learn!!! and you love Ricky enough to do all you can!!! You are doing great!!! Just give it more time...and maybe realize he may very well be so very sad inside. That will just take time!!! I have faith in you and we are all here for you too!!! Waggin' Tails in The Dog Park, Deanna and The Dog Park Pack: Nugget, Shuai-Li, Bella, Mouse, Myrtle, Mable, Toby, Caleb and Maxine!!! and honorary non-dog members of The Dog Park: Stella-Macaw, Stanley-Amazon, Miles the cat www.joys4toys.com From: Nancy Lucky <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, October 25, 2010 3:02:03 PM Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Ricky Needs A New Home, JOYCE... Good point, I only left Sami once to go and visit my grandkids in Arizona and he stayed with my daughter who he loved and knew them as we spend a lot of time with them. I was suppose to be gone for 10 days but had to come home after 6 because he would not eat and started losing his hair as he was so stressed. Also, remember just like real kids, even if their parents abuse them - they still love them. So I bet he will do fine once he adjusts. It's hard when you are ill and do not leave your dogs and then you go somewhere and that is what happens sometimes. That is another reason why I got another baby as if I do have to leave (which I have no plans to) them they will have each other. I was ready to come home after 6 days as I was so miserable without him. I would not share that with anyone but you gals who understand. Love - Nan and the girls.... pictures are coming soon. --- On Mon, 10/25/10, Joyce mccarthy <[email protected]> wrote: From: Joyce mccarthy <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Ricky Needs A New Home, JOYCE... To: [email protected] Date: Monday, October 25, 2010, 1:42 PM Glad to see things are calming down for Ricky and your family...Remember though even an owner surrender he's gonna grieve for them...And many will stop eating I went thru it earlier this year when I got some dog's from a breeder..the dog's in 12 yrs never ate anything but one kind of food and had a hard time adjusting to the way of life..Change isn't always good especially on adults...Good luck and always around to help if I can... On Mon, Oct 25, 2010 at 3:05 PM, Kavi <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Joyce I understand all you said. I agree with you all the way. The SPCA told me Ricky was a owner give up. They said the owners could no longer afford to feed him. (crock of $#@) He was very thin as I told before, but, after the fact, I think Ricky stopped eating at the SPCA. I understand this one is a non-kill shelter, but poor Ricky was thrown in a cage with 2 other bigger small dogs and was being picked on by one of them. He has very short hair, and no undercoat. He was cold and hungry. The only one that teased him in the start was the BF... no one else. He likes my husband, but has one time tried to bite him when he was in his bed. My husband is from India. His family brought him up not to touch dogs. they just did not like them. My husband has been nice about Ricky coming to our home. also he likes to give Ricky table scrapes! I tell him not too, but this is the only way he can bond with Ricky himself. He does not hold Ricky... only will pet his head when Ricky come up to him for some love. My daughter has gotten over her ordeal with ricky. We all need to learn to respect Ricky when he is in his own space or in his own world. My husband wants me to work with Ricky more and teach him to be less aggressive. Ricky and I are bonded.... The day he came up to the gate at the spca to me... and I was told he was always in the back of the cage growling and barking at the kennel people. It had to be fate that brought us together. As upset as I was the other day because my daughter got bit pretty badly, we have calmed down now. I told my daughter I just can NOT give Ricky up. That she will not always live here. bla bla bla so all is ok... I will just keep working with Ricky and socializing him as much as possible daily. Oh.. one more thing: Ricky likes the new kitten!! they play very well together. :):) THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! Shanna --- On Mon, 10/25/10, Joyce mccarthy <[email protected]> wrote: From: Joyce mccarthy <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Ricky Needs A New Home, He Is To Aggressive With Family :( To: [email protected] Date: Monday, October 25, 2010, 7:21 AM I am gonna jump in on this as I am a breeder as some other's here are...From what I have read on this whole Ricky deal the dog was an intact male who was removed,given up,stray,or what ever the reason was..Maybe his owners died and he's had to adjust..Getting neutered being placed in the ASPCA and then a new home where he refused to eat was doted over and shown affection and love from one family member and teased and taunted by 2...How in the Hec is this a breeders fault?? Suggestions were given by the group to tell the BF to leave the daughter told you they would move if you kept the dog...or you told them to get out one..So the dog (Ricky) now knows how upset you get around them over this but let me get this right he's suppose to like them...Picking him reminds him of one thing being violated and losing his jewels...take them off of your husband after he had them all these years I guarantee you his feelings would be on the same level...I think the comment about being down sized chows was a pun that there little dog's with personalitys of a large dog..Chow I wouldn't have used just cause I can't stand those...Great dane,Rotti sure...they want to think they are the boss and in charge..I think one to many people are trying to be in charge with Ricky ...Ricky has clearly chosen you as his person he tolerates the husband and has not acted out towards him as I dont' recall you saying so...I have had dog's come from breeders who haven't given them the time of day or socialized them if you think they were angels WRONG it took years of patience and lot's of work..I have my own dog's turn on kids because of mis treating by nieces and nephews and they came from the most laid back lines didn't have a thing to do with how they were bred.....IT was PEOPLE who Ruined them from liking everyone! JMO On Mon, Oct 25, 2010 at 8:52 AM, dasha <[email protected]> wrote: it doesnt take bad breeders ... chi's are bred down chows =============================== Where did you get this information? Sheila It always takes bad breeders -- Joyce www.mtnviewchis.webs.com -- Joyce www.mtnviewchis.webs.com
