July 1, 2003 - Update

This precious little long hair Chihuahua was found by some folks that worked for Operation Kindness one Sunday morning this past Spring as they were on their way to our sanctuary to help out for the day.  She was just sitting in the middle of a road.  She was deemed to be very, very old.  She has two teeth, a top canine and a bottom canine.  Both stick out over her lips.  Her little tongue hangs out because there are no teeth to hold it in.  This pic is of Tiny sleeping - one of her BEST activities.

Monday morning I took her to our vet, Dr. Paul Lillard, thinking we were going to have to allow her a peaceful crossing.  Upon examination, Dr. Lillard pronounced that there was no apparent reason to put her to sleep.  She was not suffering, she could eat, drink, poop and pee and get around okay.  She can’t see very well and I’m sure she’s a tad deaf because she can sleep though anything.  She’s just old.  The kids that found her were surprised when they learned she was still with us and doing well. 

This kind of rescue can present a dilemma for us.  Obviously, we want only the best for her and animals like her but often we are criticized for whatever we do, whether we opt to allow them to live their lives out here or to let them go.  Everyone has an opinion.  There are those that don’t want to put any animal to sleep regardless of suffering and then there are those that think it’s cruel to not put them to sleep.  As long as she’s comfortable, continues to eat, drink, poop and pee, she’s welcome here.  She resides in the kitchen area of our abode with another old lady, Jenny, a little Chihuahua and five cats that allow these old gals to share their domain.  Between the two of them, they eat two cans of Science Diet senior a day.  They get a half a can each in the morning and the same in the evening.  Jenny has learned to use the papers I put down for her but Tiny Little seems to go to great lengths to miss the paper and leave “skid marks” and little puddles all over the kitchen.  That’s okay though.  It usually needs a good mopping anyhow.