This post was submitted by one of Grateful Dogs Rescue's volunteers who is also a Board Member and evaluator.

In Defense of "Chihuahua Mixes"

This post isn’t about Chihuahuas, those little 3-6 pound purse dogs that celebrities love to carry, but about Chihuahua mixes, the 7 to 15 pounds dogs that are filling up the shelters in California.  The dogs that many potential adopters that want a “small dog that is not a Chihuahua” won’t even look at, and that some rescues have started to just say no to because they have so many already.  I love these dogs, and I think more people need to give them a chance.

First let me say that these dogs are more small breed mutt than Chihuahuas at all. Forget about the so-called Deer Chihuahua and Spider Chihuahua, the AKC only recognizes 2 types of Chihuahuas, short and long-haired.  The upper weight for a true Chihuahua is 6 pounds and they all have apple heads. The typical dog labeled Chihuahua mix is probably just as much Italian Greyhound, Miniature Pinscher, Toy Fox Terrier, Rat Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Basenji, Pug, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dachshund, Chinese Crested and who know what else.  But try as I might to label the dog as something else (I call my current foster a Taco Terrier which is a Toy Fox Terrier and Chihuahua mix) when I walk them on the street people say “oh a Chihuahua”.  At least these little ones do have hybrid vigor going for them. 

I have had a Chihuahua mix foster dog in my home, sometimes 2, for the last 4 years (occasionally I will have a terrier or a true Chihuahua). Sure there are the dogs that fit the stereotype of the “yappy, shivery Chihuahua” but most of them are amazing, fun, active companions.  These little dogs have so much character.   These dogs run and wrestle with my 40-pound pit mix like there is no size difference at all.  While only a few of them have jogging companion potential, they can make great hiking companions.  Some can fetch inexhaustibly like a retriever, and many are great with kids.  They usually have very easy to care for short coats, much less expensive than the dogs that require grooming.   After the hike they are ready to curl into your lap and nap, better than any hot water bottle.  Their small size makes them wonderful apartment dogs, and their active nature makes them perfect for weekend warriors.

   

At a work event last week, I listened to a coworker talk about how she hated those yappy little Chihuahua dogs, so yesterday when I had my Chihuahua mix dog at work for a couple of hours I took her to the coworker’s office to visit.  Within minutes all the prejudices fell away and she was saying what a great little dog this was.  Please give them a chance.  Potential adopters say they want to rescue a dog in need, well these are what our shelters are full of, and these dogs are the ones in need, and they are some of the most charismatic dogs you will ever meet.

I so wish I had good news to tell you. Little lost dog Bert was found dead at Fort Funston Saturday morning. We are all terribly heartbroken, as I know we felt we would find him in time. I know that's how I felt.

A couple walking their dogs found Bert on the dunes above the water fountain and the top of the bunkers. He had probably been dead for at least a week.  At this point, we don't know if Bert left Fort Funston and returned, or he was there all the time and despite repeated searches of that area, he was not to be found.

 A small dog alone in a park area, especially over night,  is in great danger from hawks, owls, coyotes to name just a few. Of course we will never know exactly what happened to Bert and that is also difficult to deal with.

Bert was not a fearful little dog and was used to being with his group of dogs off-leash at Fort Funston. How he became lost, what spooked him or why he suddenly wasn't with his group, no one knows. It happened that fast.

The search began immediately and as many of you know, continued for over two weeks until we got the terrible news Saturday morning. The effort to find Bert included flyers, a search dog, car magnets, email alerts, his own Facebook page, Twitter--any and everything we could think of to help find and bring Bert home.

I'd like to thank everyone who donated to GDR on behalf of the search for Bert and who gave us encouragement to continue searching. We were determined not to give up on him, and we didn't. To donate to Bert's fund go to: http://gratefuldogsrescue.org/DonationsToGratefulDogsRescue

We will never forget Bert. All of us involved in dog rescue will continue helping abandoned dogs find their forever homes. And that is how we will honor the memory of Bert.  

Jean Kind

Several of our volunteers have put this flyer in the window of their car and many many people have stopped to look at it. If you can do the same, please print out the poster below. Also, post on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc.

Bert is a 7 pound chihuahua mix. He is mostly dark brown with tan markings on his face / legs. When he went missing he was wearing a blue collar and tags. He is micro-chipped. Bert has a rare immune disease – Addison's Disease (same disease President Kennedy had) – and needs medication daily. 

Bert disappeared at Fort Funston in San Francisco over a week ago. He was spotted at several locations in South San Francisco: Martin Elementary School (Hillside Boulevard and Spruce Avenue); Chestnut Avenue and Grand Avenue; and Grand Avenue and Linen Avenue. He has also been tracked as far south as San Bruno Avenue East near 101 South (more than 12 miles from Fort Funston. Click here for map link.). We believe that he is still in the area and he is scared. Please help by calling 415-672-1343 or Peninsula Humane Society at 650-340-7922 if you see him. Please do not chase him as he may bolt and put himself in danger. 

Grateful Dogs Rescue needs additional help posting flyers. If you live in the area or knos any business in South San Francisco, San Bruno, Hillsborough, etc that could post a flyer for us, please let us know. We have posters with pictures and the video below gives a better idea of his size and color. We are officially running out.of time due to his Addisons disease so time is of the essence. If you can help call 415.672.1343 or 415.889.9853 

Other ways you can help:
1.  Post about the story on your Facebook page and link to http://gratefuldogsrescue.org/bert-is-lost
2.  Tweet the story and link to your followers @gratefuldogssf
3.  Repin Berts picture from Pinterest http://pinterest.com/gratefuldogs/missing-lost-dog/<
4.  If you are on Google+ please share our posts https://plus.google.com/104738776158109546028/posts
5.  Share the link to our continually updated Bert is Lost webpage. http://gratefuldogsrescue.org/bert-is-lost
6. Comment on our Bert Blog Posts. http://gratefuldogsrescue.org/_blog/Grateful_Dogs_Rescue_Blog
7. Print out the flyer below and forward it and/or post it in the areas mentioned above and put in the window of your car.

Editor Taylor Wiles of the South San Francisco Patch is helping publicize the search for Bert in the South San Francisco area where Bert has been spotted several times.

Read the full article at http://southsanfrancisco.patch.com/articles/missing-ssf-dog-urgently-needs-medication#photo-11738443

Missing SSF Dog Urgently Needs Medication

Grateful Dogs Rescue is searching for a lost foster dog who has Addison's Disease and urgently needs medication. He has been missing since October 3rd.

Little Bert is a seven-pound Chihuahua mix who is dark brown with tan markings (looks black from a distance). He is wearing a blue collar and a blue Grateful Dogs Rescue tag and is microchipped. Bert has Addisons and needs daily medication.

He has been spotted around Martin Elementary School in South San Francisco. He is scared and timid. 

If anyone sees him, they should not try to catch him - he is scared and may bolt putting himself in danger.. They should try to keep track of him, if possible, and call 415.672.1343 or 415.889.9853 and  report the location where he was seen. People can call these numbers anytime of day or night.

For additional information and photos, visit gratefuldogsrescue.org/bert-is-lost.

For additional information contact Michelle at 415.672.1343 or 415.889.9853 or call Kim Durney, Administrative Director at Grateful Dogs Rescue at 415 587 1121.

 

http://southsanfrancisco.patch.com/articles/missing-ssf-dog-urgently-needs-medication#photo-11738443

Update on Bert, a small dark chihuahua with tan markings who went missing at Fort Funston on Wednesday. He has Addisons and needs daily medication. We need your help, but please read fully and carefully below.

We are getting more people out to post flyers in the areas that we believe Bert to be with new updated posters in both English and Spanish (If you would like to help please let us know and we can send you the fliers to print out or we are getting some copied here soon for you to pick up) 

The main streets we are trying to hit up are Grand, Miller, Hillside, El Camino, Airport, Produce. 

Click for map link

Bert has been traveling main roadways but avoiding crossing huge intersections, we believe him to be in the area of Martin Elementary school on Hillside, Airport Drive and his original foster moms house near Hazelwood Drive and Rosewood Way. 

If you spot him do not chase him – keep him in eye sight and call 415.672.1343 or 415.889.9853 

If you can help us posting flyers, or looking, please let us know  what main streets you hit up so we know to focus on the other streets that have not been hit. info@gratefuldogsrescue.org

Thank you all for the warm wishes for his safe return!

Visit the web site for updated details.

One of Grateful Dogs Rescue's foster dogs, Bert, went missing or was found by someone at Fort Funston on Wednesday around noon near the water fountain. His is a dark brown and tan chihuahua that weighs about seven pounds. His is wearing a blue collar and a blue Grateful Dogs Rescue tag and is microchipped. 

Do you have a quiet home and lifestyle that will be perfect for Leo? Grateful Dogs Rescue is looking for a San Francsico Bay area home for Leo. Are you looking to adopt a dog? Maybe Leo is the dog for you.

This is our sweet little Leo. He is about a year old and close to ten pounds. Leo loves to be with the ones he loves and trusts. He can get shy in new situations but at home he is a cuddle bug. He's not a huge player but loves to get a treat and go out for his walks to explore town and romp at the park.

Due to Leo's shy nature, he is looking for a quieter home with adults that will understand how to go slow in the beginning. After he bonds with you though, he is your forever friend and loves his belly rubs and cuddles. He does seem to favor women over men.

If you are interesting in adopting Leo, fill out the Grateful Dogs Rescue adoption application to start the process of meeting Leo and to see if he is right for you. http://gratefuldogsrescue.org/adoption-application

Grateful Dogs Rescue has a darling little guy named Scooter that is looking for a foster home 
better suited for him. His current foster home reports that he is loving and 
playful but he needs more training and direction than they are able to give 
him.

 

Do you enjoy training? Let us know please. Grateful Dogs Rescue only has one week to find a new foster home for this great little dog.

 Scooter weighs about 10 pounds and is 3-5 years old.

If you can foster Scooter, please fill out a foster application at http://www.gratefuldogsrescue.org/Foster-application  

Jessie is a very playful, fun-loving dog. She can hike for hours and loves to retrieve balls and wrestle with her squeaky toys. She is three years old, housebroken and crate trained. Jessie weighs just over seven pounds.

She is currently being fostered in a home with three other small dogs, and a cat. However, she shows NO interest in the other animals, and would probably prefer being the only pet in the household.

She is inquisitive, smart as a whip, and very toy and food motivated. However, Jessie is selective about the humans she likes, and does not tolerate rough or invasive handling from people that she does not know or trust.

With her Grateful Dogs Rescue foster, she is an absolute delight. She is attentive, affectionate, and playful. She stays close by when walking on a trail or in the woods off leash, and is very eager to learn new tricks. She does suffer from separation distress, and will whimper and whine when left in the car, or in an unfamiliar place, but is not destructive (she does not like riding in the car). However, when the Grateful Dogs Rescue volunteer foster leaves for work and leaves her at home she is quiet. Her strong desire to bond with one person would make her an ideal companion for a single person who enjoys having a devoted canine companion.

 

Jessie is eligible to have her adoption fee waived if adopted on the June 9th and 10th weekend as part of Maddie's Matchmaker Adoptathon.