The sweetest Bichon in the world!
Since I’ve called this blog ‘A Three Dog Life’, I thought it time to introduce you to those rulers of my home and owners of my heart. (I’ll also feature the two cats who make life even more interesting around here.)
Here then is Toby. Toby is a four year old Bichon…although I was told when buying him that he was a Maltese. He had been purchased from a puppy mill and given as a gift to a woman who has several hunting dogs in her home…darling dogs who wanted to eat the poor little puppy. Upon meeting, Toby snuggled up into my neck and whispered, “Write the check, Mom. I don’t like it here.” Done.
He is simply a joy. He never leaves my side…unless of course there is food to be had elsewhere.
Our Beautiful Beau
Next to join the family was Beau…who actually is a Maltese – complete with the temperament. He is demanding, a little anxious, and a true athlete. He is also from a puppy mill, and was so sick when we found him that the vet said he wouldn’t have lived much longer. He weighed only two pounds and was one solid mat.
Beau asks never to be separated from his “ball-y”, which he will retrieve and throw back to us for hours on end.
Our Yorkie/Pom mix
And here is Chuy, (pronounced Chewy), named after Chuy on the Chelsea Lately show. We rescued Chuy from a woman who said she had to go into assisted living and couldn’t take the dog with her. (Turns out that wasn’t at all true. She just didn’t want him.)
Chuy has obviously not been treated well in his six years. He is especially afraid of men. He also has epilepsy, and is heavily medicated each day. While not the prettiest dog in the place, he has a golden heart and just asks to be loved.
The Old Man
Hendricks, a quirky Maine Coon, is nearly sixteen years old and has been with me since infancy…(his, not mine). Having been the only pet for about twelve years, Hendricks has had to make quite an adjustment, and would, I think, become a heavy drinker if I would only leave the cap off the rum bottle.
I’ve always told this dear old boy that he is just like the men I’ve loved in my life…our relationship is completely on his terms. If he wants a snuggle, we snuggle. If I want a snuggle – I should go peddle my papers. His food, and his potty, must be above the reach of canines, which creates difficulty for a senior citizen. We’ve strategically placed chairs and other climbing devices nearby so that he doesn’t have to jump so high.
The Baby
And here is Maddie, our latest acquisition. She is a four month old gray calico, and has an absolutely devilish personality. If it can be eaten, torn, tipped over, or dug up, she’s your girl.
Maddie will gleefully take on all other household animals, and especially delights in jumping onto their backs for a quick tussle. I love this sweetie, but will be happy when she has outgrown some of her kittenish ways. Very tired of cleaning up piles of dirt from the potted plants!
So there you have it. My goofy menagerie. They are at times irritating, and costly, (Beau has had six thousand dollars worth of surgery), but I wouldn’t part with one of them.
And no! I absolutely will not take on another animal. Don’t even think of asking.
