Missing Chihuahua
Posted on 05.08.09 to Personal by JoanMy neighbour called me two nights ago, asking if I knew anyone who could foster a dog because one was found loitering in our neighbourhood. Having more on my place than I could juggle, I didn’t want to get involved and apologised. (Also, at that point, no names came to mind that I could recommend.) I did ask him what size the dog was though, and he told me that it is about the same size as Dinky, my papillon.
15 minutes later, I was engulfed in guilt. I called my neighbour to ask if he was still downstairs and went down to have a look with the dog. Before leaving though, I asked Terence if he would mind if I brought home a small dog to foster while we find its owner and I was rather surprised he was more open to the idea than I thought he would.
When I first saw it, the little brown thing immediately cowered and offered her belly — a sign of submission. It’s so small! It’s actually rather well-groomed and well-fed so I’m guessing she’s probably lost.
We are fostering it till we can find it’s owner.
One of the casualties of war.
In the meantime, the poor dog was so scared when I first brought it home, it chomped on half of my fingers and actually managed to draw blood! It kinda shocked me because it seemed OK in my arms before and when in my kitchen, it went crazy. It scuttled into corners, went crazy-eyed on me and got vicious, baring its teeth and all. I left it in a crate for the night, so that it would feel safe and calm down.
The next morning, it was still very wary and fearful of me. I bought some Caesar dog food (I don’t give it to my dogs actually, but I know it works for dogs who have not eaten in days), fed it with my hands and tried to coax it to come to me.
Nothing worked. So I finally had to resort to using a giant towel to try to catch it (so that I can protect my precious fingers). That dog is a feisty one because we were at it for half an hour till I finally got it bundled up, stroked it to calm it down, slipped on a collar and took it down for a walk.
The strange thing about it is that it behaved perfectly well when walking! We went back home and I finally managed to give it a bath. By then it’s calmed down considerably, although still somewhat fearful.
By the end of the day, after constant reassuring that I am not out to kill it, the dog’s finally warmed up to me. So much so that it keeps on hopping onto my lap, not wanting to get off. It’s sitting on my lap now as I’m typing. It’s such an awesome feeling to know that I made some breakthrough with its aggression!
If anyone is missing a chihuahua in the Tiong Bahru area, please do holler my way! You can call me at 9477 1444.
Resting from the ordeal.
With Dinky. Jaws actually is smaller than Dinky, even though on its own, it looks stockier.
Distant cousins. Heh.
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Comments ( 6 )
[...] the neighbour told us that Jaws was very affectionate towards her and her family, nothing like the crazy-hand-chomping dog I first brought home. (That is how she got her name!) I guess we must have been doing something right with her, and have [...]
Lost Jaws | As My Life Is added these pithy words on Nov 09 09 at 12:36 AM
Mae added these pithy words on 
nilia added these pithy words on did you bring it to the vet to check it out? i’m just concenrned that a dog you aren’t familiar with bit you. at least have the thing checked out for rabies!
jasmine added these pithy words on
May 09 09 at
2:21 AM
Haha yes, really amazing that they get along so well. :D
Love your dogs!
Where was Thunder btw? (I’m a new reader! :))
Saebin added these pithy words on
Jun 07 09 at
9:31 AM
