There could be an addition to our family...

[Beth]

Through a co-worker, DH got an email from a young woman who is part of DRNA who has a couple doxies that have been taken from their abusive home.  Apparently, the owner has about 18 dachshunds that she has been hiding and breeding like crazy.  It's so sad.  Well, we went over to the foster mom's house last night to take a look at the two she has right now.  We brought Chilie with us too.

There was a female wirehair, 3 years old, and a male b/t LH, also 3 years old.  Both were SO sweet.  The female, named Precious, was very shy and kept next to her foster mom (Amanda) mostly.  We also learned later that evening, that Precious is being adopted by a famiy in Canada.  The male doxie was the sweetest thing!  He was wagging his tail, and after just about 10 minutes of us being there, he came over to me, climbed up on my lap and proceeded to give me kisses!  And I just melted!  His name is Smokey.  We took him on a walk down the street.  He's a good walker!  Chilie even kept up with him, and she's more of a "stop and sniff everything" kind of walker.  We asked if we could take him home with us for a couple days, as a trial run, and after a call to someone at DRNA, Amanda said that was ok.  He's not here yet...we have to arrange that still.

Chilie did pretty well with the visit.  Besides Precious and Smokey being there, Amanda had her own doxie, Rusty, who is a VERY ACTIVE puppy!  Chilie wasn't too social, and growled when both the males were sniffing her rear.  Smokey was quite interested in Chilie.  She was good when they were nose to nose, but she did not like the butt sniffing.

Both of the rescued doxies were in pretty bad shape when they came to Amanda.  They were infested with fleas.  The female had problems with her eyes, and had scabs all over her skin.  Her hair has started to grow back now.  The male has a bald patch on his ear, and he's a little skittish.  We noticed this especially when we took him for a walk.  Every time we stepped on a stick, he would stop and turn around like he had been startled.  And he is housebroken, which is very good.  Both are underweight and need to gain a couple of pounds each.  Oh, but Smokey is so sweet!  I just hope that Chilie will be ok if we decide to adopt him.  The fee is $250, and I was a bit surprised by that, but that would take care of shots and neutering.

Lara liked the doggies, but was more interested in the doggie toys and the kitty who lived there.  The dogs were fine with Lara too.  Lara has always been very good with animals, and we've taught her from the beginning how to treat them and approach them.  She was so sweet last night, she asked Amanda if she could pet the doggies before actually petting them, and then she asked if she could give them a toy.  She said very quitely, "Can I pet the doggie, please?" and "Can I give them a toy, please?"  I was very proud of her!

So what do you all think?  Could we be Smokey's forever home?

[Barb]

How exciting !!!  And very cool that you were able to go and visit.  Asking for a trial run for a few days is an excellent idea.  I would suggest letting he and Chilie "meet" again in your front yard and then proceed to the house and see how it goes.  If you have a couple days to monitor all 3 kids together, you can nip any problems right away.  Can't wait to hear how it goes !!!

I LOVE how Lara reacted - what a tribute to how you both have raised her !!!

Their condition when they were picked up is appalling - I can not see how people can do that to animals - it just makes my blood boil big time. Bless you for giving it a try.   I bet with a few days of them together in your home, that Chilie and Smokey will do just fine !

Please let us know !

[Teresa]

How wonderful. I hope this all works out and the trial run sounds like a great idea. If it goes well, I think you will have your answer. I'm so impressed at how well Lara did with the other dogs. You have really taught her well. Now Chilie may have someone to play with in her backyard!!

[Kelly]

Kelly,Blusky&Manny in Illinois are very "HAPPY FOR YOU!"We hope it works out for you.If you end up adopting Smokey I know for a fact that he will be alot of company for Chilie.We have 4 at our house and they all came from DRNA and they get along as if they've been together all their lives. 

[Kari]

AWESOME!! I think it is a fabulous idea! It is great that you can do a trial run and I hope everything works out! 

[Delia and girls]

How exciting, Beth. Since Karen is on vacation and unable to get here as often, I'll be the temporary Dog Whisperer 'expert.' He would say the best way to introduce Smokey to your house would be to walk both of them before you let him enter. A good, long walk. That way, both of them have had time to get to know each other on neutral territory and both will be too tired to care when they get home.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Beth that is so exciting! I can't WAIT to see him, pictures!! I hope this works out he sounds like a little doll. I like Delia's suggestion on having them meet. Lara sounds like a sweet little girl, and here's hoping Chilie will realize that siblings can be fun and you can blame stuff you do on them!  :thumb:

[Sandishooligans]

I can't tell you how impressed I am with Lara.  What a sweetie!  YES!  I bet with patience and love and a very lovely Lara, Smokey would have the bestest home and Chilie and he would learn to be just the bestes of friends.  Was he snippy at all?  Timid nipper?  That would be my only concern.  Other than checking on that temperment, don't ya'll thin Smokey would make a lovely addition?

[cheryl186]

Smokey sounds like a wonderful little man.....I believe he would be a GREAT addition to your family.....and it does sound like he and Chilie would get along very well.... hope the trial run goes just as well as the visit you had.  What a sweetheart Lara is....so gentle....it sounds like a bestest thing for everyone all the way around!!!!!!