Lap dog love: Proud to be a foster fail

We lost our two rescue Chihuahuas a few years ago. Mickey and Rooney were the lights of our lives, and we miss them still. After our loss, I was sure my husband Chuck and I would get another pupper in time. I just didn’t realize it would take so long or the intricacies that would be involved.

After being pup-less for so long, I guess we became a little bit spoiled. No more worrying if we were out too long or if the water bowls weren’t filled or if the pee pads needed changing. No walks in the park (which now takes courage in the Gold Coast) nor concerns about shots and nail trims either.

BUT, this also meant no bundles of energy racing around the house making you smile. No lap cuddles or fetches or loving eyes staring back at you 24 hours of the day. In other words, we were lonely. All the cons did not compare to the multitude of pros so we began a search.

I alerted PAWS Chicago to the fact that we were looking for a new baby. Susanna Wickham, PAWS CEO, diligently made note of our wants—small (as we love to travel with them) and a Chihuahua or Chihuahua-mix which matches our crazy personalities exactly. We also wanted a female having had two boys for a decade or more.

Susanna would send photos of small pups they received, and we would go and see them at the adoption center on Clybourne. We wanted them all but knew the pup needed to tug at our heartstrings, so the search was longer than expected. To be honest, every time we would leave any babies behind, even if they didn’t totally click with us, was almost unbearable.

But then, on Sunday, August 6, lightning struck. We went in to see three pups that were available. A brother and sister named Macaroni and Rigatoni and a single pup named Amaya. The brother and sister duo were adorable. The girl, a little quiet, but the boy was already a real lap dog. We played with them for a while and took some photos so we could remember them when we went home to discuss.

But then, a volunteer walked through the door with what looked like just a towel in her hands. Peeking above the towel were two tiny ears and piercing little black eyes set atop this long pencil neck. She looked like a baby black ostrich in that oversized blanket and we fell in love.  

Amaya was a tiny bundle of energy. Not only did she have a long neck but she had long legs too which made me think there might have been a mini pinscher involved somewhere in that mating game. We didn’t want to rush our decision so we asked them to hold all three overnight so we could think about it.

We went home, and over a couple of glasses of wine, we talked about our future with a new pup. The clear stand out was “Penny the Pencil Neck.” Funny, cute, great personality and a lap dog. A tiny little dream come true. We told them we would like to start by “fostering” her which was a joke even then. She quickly found her forever home with us.

And even though having a young pup (3 months old) isn’t easy right now, she is learning very quickly and already knows how to fetch and use pee pads. We can’t wait to show her the world—although, hopefully, she will outgrow her carsickness soon.

So much love and thanks to PAWS Chicago and Susanna! To date, they have found forever homes for 90,000 homeless dogs and cats. Make that 90,001.