If you had asked me five years ago if I was a “little” or “big” dog person, I would definitely have said that I preferred big dogs. I love their more laid back personalities, the security of having a big dog at your side, and frankly, their lack of a yippy bark.
All that changed permanently one day in August almost five years ago. (Click here if you missed Meet the Pack, Part 1: The Big Dogs.)
Because all the little dogs arrived after I started blogging, they all have their own “about me” page, which I’ve linked to in each section.
Olivia
We first met Olivia on a hot morning in August 2009. Alan and I were out for a bike ride, pretty early to beat the heat. Even though we were riding our regular 50 mile route, we decided to take a different road home because I wanted to show Alan some calves that I’d seen a few days before (you know us, we love all animals).
As we were riding past the cows, I noticed Alan start to slow down. I first thought he had a flat tire, so I turned around. I realized that he had stopped because he’d seen a little black dog on the side of the road. We were miles from anywhere, she had no collar and no water and it was already getting close to 100 degrees.
Amazingly, she didn’t run away from him. Instead, she creeped toward him, then allowed me to pick her up. She was filthy, yet adorable. We decided that Alan would ride home to get the car since he was the fastest cyclist. I waited with her, and by the time Alan returned I’d named her Olivia. I’d also given her some of my Clifbar and sips of my Cytomax, which was all I had to offer out there.
When we took her with us to pick up a collar and leash, the folks at Pet Co said that she was a Brussels Griffon and about a year old.
Even after all this time Olivia is:
- Still afraid of a lot of things and will cower and piddle a little if you walk to her to pick her up.
- She’s also afraid of old man Sydney, my 13 year old blind cattle dog, who is a little grumpy.
- She hates cars and would chase them if she weren’t on a leash.
- Instead, she will go after Lily when a car passes us while we’re on a walk.
- She sleeps on my lap, and under my covers, and hangs with me when I don’t feel good.
Lily
Almost exactly a week later, Alan and I were driving home when a little black and white doge tore across the street in front of us. We followed her in our car, trying to lure her to us, but she kept running away until finally she turned a corner, ran up onto someone’s lawn, and lay down right there.
We thought that we’d found her home, but it turned out that this was the home of a neighbor who felt that the dog was not treated properly by the children of the owner, who lived across the street. This woman fed the little dog, but since she already had two of her own, that was her only commitment.
While I was talking to the woman and getting this information, Alan had knocked on the door of the owner’s house. Everything just felt wrong, as this man showed no concern for the dog, and the dog didn’t even bother to look at the man. After hearing of the mistreatment by his children, the man basically shrugged and didn’t seem to care. He even said, it’s not really my dog.
That was our chance! Alan replied, then if it’s not your dog you won’t mind if we take her, right? The man agreed. So, Lily was ours.
She was so scared that first night! The rest of the pack, us, the new situation. I put her down by the water bowl and we left her alone. She was still there when we went to bed.
We got a big surprise when we woke up. Lily had moved to the couch, where she was sleeping snuggled into a little ball. From that point on, she was happy, confident, bossy with the other dogs, but very loving with us. We believe she’s at least part Toy Fox Terrier and she weighs about eight pounds. She and Olivia have a special bond, probably because they came to us so close together, and still snuggle together sometimes.
Buddy
It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been a year and a half since Buddy became a part of our family. Alan always wanted a dog to name Buddy, and boy has he lived up to his name. From the moment that Alan found him on the street in front of our house, he has been the most loving, cuddliest, sweetest dog ever.
While his entry into our pack wasn’t as dramatic as Lily’s or Olivia’s, he has made a huge impact on our hearts. Buddy is the dog that snuggles with you when you don’t feel good, gives you kisses that revive you when you’re tired, and loves to run (up to about five miles in spite of the short legs). He get’s along with all of the dogs, though he was a little put out for the brief period we brought another male into the house.
Coco
Finally, the most recent member of our pack, Coco. Since we rescued her only six months ago, you may remember her story. I was out for a run in the morning last July (have you noticed that all these rescues happened in the middle of the summer? Interesting). It was just Penny and me and were around the corner from our house when I spotted this little dog in the middle of the road, right by the center divider. Fortunately, it was early, so there wasn’t much traffic.
I was afraid the dog would run if I tried to pick her up, so I let Penny pave the way. She loves little dogs, so she just walked up, sniffed a few times, then I was able to pick the little dog up.
I called Alan and he came and picked us up. No run that morning! Even though she had no collar, I was sure that someone would claim Coco. She was so cute and she was groomed! I was even surprised that she wasn’t chipped.
We hung up the posters and really assumed that it was just a matter of time. Days passed, though, and no response. It was a good thing though, because we were really starting to get attached to this little dog, in spite of her penchant for chasing after all the other dogs and biting their butts (which she still does, by the way).
Another reason that I thought she came from another family is that it took her a little while to completely warm up to Alan and me. She was a little standoffish at first, though sweet, but after a month we noticed quite a turnaround. She became much more cuddly and loving, and now just loves to sit on our laps, snuggle at night, and greet us in the morning like long lost loves.
She still hasn’t completely bonded with the rest of the pack, though Penny loves her and likes to groom her. That butt biting thing could be, well, biting her in the butt. She get’s really mad with Olivia when we’re on our walks. When Olivia barks at the cars, Coco barks at Olivia. Funny but annoying. And challenging when I take the three girls on a run, which they love. We usually go about a mile, sometime a mile and a half, which is perfect for their little legs. We make quite a parade!
So that’s my pack. Tell me about yours. Are you “big” or “little” dog person. Or maybe a cat person?
So sweet Debbie!! I love how you guys are the dog whisperer! And of course remember Coco!
We once took an abused dog & like Olivia, had issues till she died – so sad!!!
So cute!!!!!!!
It makes me so sad in a way, though she’s very happy now. That she could have been treated so badly before she was a year old that it still affects her when she’s five. I’d like to get my hands on those people.
The dog I have I found on Craigslist in Carter Lake Iowa…she shakes sometimes, but is the most loving dog ever…she was pregnant when I bought her but didn’t know cuz the owners didn’t tell me..luckily the hubs knew how to help here with the labor….and we still have her! You have a kind heart!
Thank you. Your dog was lucky that you got her. Good for your hubby to help her through her labor! It’s quite an experience, isn’t it?
Awwww coco is my favorite but I would take any of them and of course your Dalmatian 🙂 keep saving these babies !!! You and Alan are special people.
Hey, Asia, you do a lot of the same things. The doggy world needs people like you!
There are no words. No words to describe how much I am dying over here from all the cuteness. The offer still stands……. Doggy sitting! 😀
Thanks :-). I’d try to be modest about my kids, but I agree, they are the cutest thing ever.
I am a big and medium sized dog person. But you Suuuure make those little dogs compelling., I think you and Alan lather up with dog sauce before your bike ride. Ya rascals! Bow wow wow yip yap
I used to think of little dogs as annoying, barky, ankle biters. Which they are. But they are awfully cute while they’re doing it.
IM ON LY BIG DOGS!!!
until I changed last year.
Now Im ONLY DOGS 🙂
I used to swear I was a big dog person, but Gary & I are both hoping our next dog is a small one. Love your pack! 🙂
We always say, when we add another little dog to the pack, they don’t eat much or take up much room! Except in our hearts, of course.
i’m usually not a little dog person…but those ears on Lily…how adorable!!!
Lily has the heart and soul of a big dog.
I’d say I’m a BIG dog person right now 😉
I love your big Teddy Bear 🙂
Oh I love these posts! I only have two dogs but you may have inspired me to do a mini meet the pack post myself 🙂
Do it! I love to read about other peoples pack 🙂
I love them. I’m a little dog person. Although I love how Penny helps you with the little ones.
And I am so so so excited that you’re joining in the Ragnar team!!! So excited to run with you!!!!!
Thanks Carrie. I’m a little scared about the Ragnar thing. 🙂
I don’t think I’d seen close ups of Olivia. She’s a sweetie! We used to have miniature schnauzers and her face reminds me of my little guys who I still miss.
Black dogs don’t photograph as well. If you’re too far away, it’s hard to see their features. She definitely is a cutie though.
Debbie,
Thank you for posting your story and a big thank you for saving your dogs. I have four small dogs and a large lop eared rabbit. We live in my condo in Thousand Oaks, CA. I had two other small chihuahua’s that passed away after a long life with me. I still miss them. I usually never have more than three dogs. Chico is my 14 yr. old little gentleman (chihuahua white w/buff spots), with me for over 10 years, found in my parking lot all pinched (bruises) w/lump on skull. He peed for 3 days straight because he was so scared. Every time he showed fear, I picked him up and held him. It took a year and a half for him to get over it, but he’s not afraid of anything, now. He doesn’t like playing with the girls because they knock him over so we go on walks separately. He’s earned it. Bugzy is my gentle alpha, black & tan from a rescue center. They named her because she has bug out eyes (possibly chihuahua/manchester). Her mind is always on the walk and how to get me to go. I found Georgia in a high kill shelter in LA, a beautiful little girl with 4 baby teeth who had recently had puppies on her first heat at 6 lbs. (strawberry blond long hair dachshund / chi mix with cream face and short legs). I don’t know what happen to the puppies. She loves to lick & bath everyone, just like a momma dog. She climbs on me and stares at me before going after my ear, giving wet willies. Sophie came from Devore animal shelter the day after she was spayed, no antibiotics, with a bladder infection (couldn’t pee) at 7 1/2 lbs. last June. She looks like a cream colored mini Sheba Innu. She has the ear piercing Sheba scream, eats (cleans) her paws like a cat, has the same light color pattern over her shoulders as a Sheba, likes to lick / clean the rabbit’s butt and she loves Georgia. She’s a long legged big girl and a bit clumsy at 11 lbs. but is still fit & trim. She didn’t know how to walk on a leash so I trained her by taking her first with Chico, then with Georgia and finally all three girls go with me together on a long walk every Saturday morning. Raw hide is a must have for Sophie so she doesn’t continue to chew everything in sight including the wooden coffee table. Honey was my neighbor’s rabbit. She moved out but left Honey in her hutch on the porch. I left her a note asking if she wanted Honey, who was about to be taken to the pound. Honey likes cardboard boxes and chases Sophie when she is angry about her stealing her kale lettuce, etc. She is not as destructive (chewing) as Soph. I also rescued my neighbor’s small blond Cairn terriers, a mother & daughter. My neighbor surrendered three dogs to the pound this past June after his wife and daughter moved out. One of them was adopted. The other two were still there a month later, so I took them home. My sweet neighbor, Donna, adopted them from me a week later (Thank God!). They really love Donna. I have told myself that I am not allowed to look at rescue sites for dogs. I looked on line to see if anyone else has a pack like I do and found your story. I’m so glad you saved your dogs. They give so much love that it’s really worth it. I hope all goes well for you and your pack.
Thank you for doing so much for animals too! They all have stories, don’t they? I will never understand people who could possibly surrender their pets. It would like giving away one of your children!
We actually have a couple additions since I wrote this (Shhh! The limit in our county is 4). We adopted Johnny last year from an adoption day at Pet Smart. I rarely go there, but I stopped in one day to pick up some diapers for our handicapped dog. I saw Johnny and he resembled one of our dogs that had passed so much (aside from being a lot smaller and male) that I took a picture and sent it to my husband. A few days later he was our.
We are currently fostering a little chihuahua who my husband was somehow connected with through Facebook. She had been in the Pomona shelter and was scheduled to be killed. My husband and a group of dog rescuers finally got her yesterday and we picked her up this morning. She seems to be integrating well, and she certainly is happy to be out of jail! We’ll see how well my husband lives up to his promise that “she’s just a foster!”