Chicka & Foster Senior page

4-30-2007 Update: Chicka has crossed the Bridge at the age of 15. At the time of this writing, Foster continues to live with Carole & is still doing well.

Chicka a Chihuahua-X, had been left to fend for herself by a family that moved off and left her in their back yard. Her barking & frequent escapes from her yard alerted a friend of mine, to her plight. For a few weeks, she saw to it that Chicka had food and water but was unsure if the people were gone for good or what. Finally, she could stand it no longer and she got her and brought her to us. This was in 1994 and we figured she was about two years old at the time. She had been neglected long before the people moved off and left her but she was still just as friendly and sweet as she could be. A little on the skinny side is all and of course, not spayed.

When Foster was only about 8 months old in 1994. he was either thrown out of, or jumped out of a vehicle going south on Rufe Snow Drive in North Richland Hills, Texas. As luck would have it, a very good friend of mine, a true animal lover, was behind them and observed what happened. The car he ejected from didn't even slow down. She immediately pulled over and found the poor little guy laying in the gutter, in shock. She carefully picked him up and took him to her vet in Grapevine. After examination, it was clear that some expense was going to be involved and since she had limited funds, she called ANIMAL ANGELS for help. We agreed to get him whatever medical care he needed and provide him with a place to heal. His injuries consisted of a fractured pelvis. Since he was so young, the vet recommended cage rest which would allow the fracture to heal without surgery.

Suffice it to say, he recovered completely and while everyone that saw him, wanted him, I was waiting until I found someone that needed him. Being a typical Chihuahua, he would just as soon bite a strange hand or for that matter, a familiar hand, if he thought he was going to have something done he didn't want done. It is quite possible this is what happened when he came flying out of that car. He was also prone to squirming around and then leaping out of your arms when he decided he wanted to be elsewhere. He only weighed three or four lbs. so he could be hard to hold. This in no way excuses the people that did throw him out the window or allow him to jump.

In September of 1996, a couple I had already adopted three little dogs to, came out to visit us at our new digs in Paradise, Texas. Molly was interested in adopting Foster for her Mother and Father who lived in the Panhandle of Texas.. She didn't think I would let her have him because I had grown quite attached to the little darling. In all good conscience though, I couldn't refuse her. Anytime I can find a home as good as I knew this one would be, I will always let an animal go. They all should have a home of their own if at all possible. She also took little Chicka, who by that time had become Fosters best friend. Throughout the years, I received pictures and notes and Molly called every time she went to visit her folks to tell me how they were doing.

In April of 2001, Molly called and said that her Mother had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her Father had died the previous year and her Mother was going to have to have 24 hr. care. Her Mom didn't even remember the two precious little dogs that she and her husband had loved so dearly. She was also afraid the caregiver would not be willing to or able to handle Foster and Chicka. She ask if they could come home to us. As anyone who knows ANIMAL ANGELS or me, we have what we call our "puppy back guarantee" so she really didn't even have to ask.

Foster and Chicka have been back with us since April, 2001. Both were fat as little pigs when they returned. Foster had gotten a lot of gray sprinkled throughout his formerly solid black coat but he was still Foster. I drove to Wellington, Texas, to pick them up. The vet where they had been taken said they had to use heavy gloves when they cleaned their cage. They thought I was crazy when I opened the cage and stuck my hand inside. Foster growled a bit then sniffed and came to me. They were both frightened, having been uprooted from their home of five years and put in a cage.

Foster is now about 10 years old and Chicka is about 12. To say we are particular who adopts them is an understatement and they will go together or not at all. They have always depended on each other & they are as bonded as any pair can be. Who ever adopts this pair will get twice the lovin' for their efforts.