WHO RESCUED WHO ?

Chico is my 5 yr old long haired Chihuahua. He is one funny, loveable, handsome, adorable Chihuahua with attitude. Hey, what can I say...he's from Brooklyn! He still acts like a spoiled puppy most of the time. He is very smart and he has me very well trained!  Here is Chico's story:

I am a huge proponent of animal adoption, and have been doing volunteer rescue and placement of dogs for years now, but I have to confess that I actually bought my dog Chico from a pet store. Before I had Chico, I occasionally stopped in this “specialty” pet store, just to play with the dogs, because I wasn’t allowed pets in my apartment. I often found myself talking to the customers about adoption, strays and shelters because that was how we got our dogs when I was growing up, and that was all I really knew.  One fateful day, I asked the clerk if they had any long haired Chihuahuas, since there were a dozen smooth coats there. He told me there were two in the back , not being shown, because “they didn’t meet the breed standard.”  I asked him if I could see them anyway, and he took me to the back door and brought out an adorable cream colored pup that looked perfectly fine to me. He then brought out the other puppy and I just melted! He held this tiny, 7 week old puppy, who was called a teacup, whose coat was all different colors, with HUGE ears (one bigger than the other) and one paw bigger than the other. I smiled and fell in love with him the minute I saw him! The clerk told me they were planning to “farm him out.”  I didn’t know what that meant, but it didn’t sound good to me. Were they going to send him back to the “breeder”, the puppy mill, or were they going to euthanize him because he wasn’t perfect?  I didn’t know if anyone would ever get the chance to see him again since he was being hidden because he “just wasn’t right.”  I didn’t know what his fate would be, but I knew he deserved a home, so I decided to give him mine. The boss said I could have him. I left a $50 deposit, begged my landlady to let me have him and against my “do not buy” principles, I came back, purchased Chico at an agreed upon price, and took him home. He did have some health issues, but nothing unusual for a pup (but I did notice he was getting big fast)!

I realized that pet stores, who generally get their dogs from puppy mills (which I abhor), often don’t even try to sell the dogs they have, if they don’t think they will bring them the right amount of money.  And we all know they will sell sick, unhealthy dogs to customers without a second thought, which keeps the horrible, inhumane puppy mills in business.  After taking Chico home, I decided it was time for me to take a stand for the animals and get active in animal advocacy, so I began doing rescue, placement and adoption.  Did I rescue Chico? I believe I did, but I don’t know for sure…but the truth is, he rescued me! He opened up a new world for me. He is such a special little dog, with his funny little walk, big ears, big feet and personality. I am just crazy about him. This “teacup” who is now 10 pounds (I call him my beer mug) has come so far from being the funny looking puppy waiting to be farmed out. He actually models now and has changed my life in so many ways, as dogs often do. I want to share the love Chico brings to me with everyone. He has the ability to make people smile everyday just by being who he is. He loves doing the tricks I taught him and loves the attention he gets. I have met so many wonderful people as a result of having Chico in my life, and I am happy to help others find their “perfect” dog, too, through our adoption network.  Chico’s imperfections, were perfect for me. None of us is perfect…we are all misfits in one way or another, but we all need to be loved…and we’re all able to give love, if only given the chance. I am proud to say, my Chico has taught me that! 

Stella Panzarino

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