All of these Chihuahuas are in our hearts. Each one has been a joy and an enriching prescence in someone's life. It is with such sadness that we add new entries to this page, but such warmth and love when we remember them, reading their stories when the pain has faded.
Click on each dog's name to read their story or click to open all or close all
Pablo passed away on the 29th of November 2010. He was one of those really special little boys and was featured as a success story in January 2010. He was a darling and Giselle is a lovely lady who gave him so much love in his old age. Here is the letter we got from Giselle in January, 2011. If you would like to say a few words for Pablo's, you can do so on his memoriam entry on our blog.
Dear Rita and Mayer,
It is with much sadness I am writing to inform you that my darling little Pablo died on the 29th of November 2010. It has taken me this long to even string a sentence together to let you know.
He was euthanised after developing a blood clot in his little lung. I have put together a little something which I am hoping you might post on your wonderful website.
Best Regards, Giselle
P.S. I hope you are both well, I often think about Chihuahua Rescue and thank god for people like you.
Darling Pablo,
You came into my life and stole my heart back in August 2009. It was love at first sight.
I miss you my darling Pablo-doo. You were my little mate, my soul mate and you will never be forgotten.
Fiercely loyal and true, we only had eyes for each other as we did everything together.
Whilst you had no teeth, it didn't stop you guarding your weekly slow cooked roast shank for hours on end. You had an appetite for everything, sweet and savoury.
You were a love sponge, wanting to be nearby all the time, only food could pull you away.
Gone too soon, I am grief stricken without you, my darling little Pablo-doo, oh how your mummy loved you.
You were my little heart beat and will now remain forever in my heart.
Rest in Peace Pablo, see you in heaven. Giselle and Leroy
Chihuahua Rescue picked Spotty up as a skinny half starved little dog from a pounds. We estimated his age at about 7 or 8 in January 2006. He was so grateful for a good feed and a warm bed that he went out of his way to please. He was obedient and well behaved; obviously someone had trained this little man.
We placed him with an elderly lady in late January, 2006. Four weeks later she rang to say she was bringing him back. We were shocked. Previously she had been full of praise for this well behaved little dog!
"Why?" we asked. "I cannot fault him" she replied, "except that he is just so loving that he will not give me any privacy! He even follows me into the toilet and waits by my feet!" The thought crossed my mind why not close the door!) He was so obedient that she could walk anywhere and he would be at her side. He wouldn't even stop to "smell the flowers", he would remain glued to her leg. When she was weeding the garden he lay down beside the garden bed and waited: loving eyes watching every move.
Spotty came back in to our care until June 2006, when Rachal and Martin decided to give him a home.
Here is a letter from Rachal and Martin telling us how much they loved Spotty.
In memory of Spot
My family was privileged to have Spot for 3 years.
Along with our other 2 Chihuahuas and a commanding cat we had a pretty fantastic family. When we first got Spot from Chihuahua Rescue he was a little man who just needed to be loved. His little old legs would shake and he had nearly no weight on him whatsoever. When touched he would scream. Rita rang me and mentioned that she needed a good home for Spot. I immediately said yes. Just give me a few weeks to fence in our new house and we will take him.
We took him into our hearts. In 5 weeks he was confident enough to bark; that was when we knew he considered our place home. He waited to see whether the other dogs were allowed in a room before entering: observing doggy etiquette. He was an obedient, well behaved dog whom our eldest son quickly named Spotty Goddy. Spotty Goddy loved guarding his and everyone else's food. He even went so far as to guard mummy!
One day my husband gave the dogs a small piece of cheese each at about 2pm. At 3am we woke up, cold, and went to turn on the dogs' heater in their room. Spotty Goddy was sitting on the floor beside his bed - upon which sat the cheese in pride of place. He was still guarding his cheese. He was the funniest little man. I remember having fed him in his room one day and the Chihuahuas - male and female - went in to see if he had eaten his food yet. They found him with a piece of food several inches from his nearly full bowl, guarding it intently. One of my Chi's went over to the full bowl and Spotty growled and turned away from the well guarded meat. As soon as his attention was distracted the other Chi grabbed the coveted meat and ran. We laughed and laughed. The terrible tag team had struck.
My husband used to cradle Spotty in the crook of his elbow and tickle his tummy for hours. Spotty loved it. Of all the activities that Spotty did, guarding was his favorite. Second was burying bones, pigs ears, and whatever else he could.
His health improved in the years that we had him and having the wide open countryside to run through on our bush block did him the world of good. He even got a little fat.
Well Old Man, I miss you terribly. Our family wishes you well in the next life and I'm sure you will stick around in heaven to guard us. It was a privilege to get to know you. You had a rotten time before you met Rita at Chihuahua Rescue and I'm sorry for all the pain you must have endured, but I'm so blessed that you came into our lives you made us all the richer for it. I'm sure that there is a piece of cheese waiting for you in doggy heaven. May Angels watch over you on your journey. Go with all our love.
Rachal, Martin, Cleo, Ceasar, Tamsin and Isis.
In September 2009, Spotty was not well. He was totally deaf, almost completely blind, and showed signs of being quite uncomfortable. The vet check showed his heart was no longer pumping blood properly to his extemeties, thus causing him quite a bit of aching in his legs. This type of condition has no cure or treatment part of old age. Who will ever know how old little Spotty was. He could well have been the eleven years we had estimated, or he could quite easily have been 14 or 15.
Rest in Peace, Spotty. You gave Rachal, Martin, and Family so much love.
The call to "rescue" Lexie came in 1999. We took a trip to the outer suburbs of Melbourne and found these two little skinny dogs (mother and son) in a very dejected state. Locked outside, living in a little kennel with a yard completely covered in slate not a blade of grass anywhere. To top it off, there was only a little bowl of water and no sign of food. The excuse from the lady was "I cannot care for them as I want to travel"! We picked them up and got out of there as quickly as we could.
First stop was the vet, who advised they were both undernourished and dehydrated. After three weeks of good food three times daily we soon had both of the little ones happily acting and playing with all the others. They really loved it when we invited them onto our bed oh such luxury! From the very first day we noticed that these two could never be separated as they watched each other constantly. If one went outside, the other followed; pick one up to do nails or groom and the other would watching - unwaveringly - from the floor to make sure the other was not hurt. It was wonderful to watch.
The big day came when they went to the vet so I asked Jan to keep them together, even in "recovery", which they did.
Shortly thereafter both Lexie and Nikki were adopted by Peter. The next day Peter rang in a panic. Lexie had run away! Peter's property bordered on a public forestry reserve which was very overgrown: impassable even. But Lexie had gone in there as every now and then someone would catch a glimpse of her. Peter was told to lock Nikki inside and not let him out under any circumstances. We hoped that Lexie would come to seek Nikki out. Yes, she did, but only when she thought no one was around.
Mayer and I packed up the pusher (Lexie would walk beside it) and took Gizmo out there (even though he barked when being walked in the pusher). We thought Lexie would come to us when Giz barked and she saw the pusher. Two hours into our trip the mobile rang. "We have got her!" shouted a very excited Peter. Apparently Peter's neighbor left a hot cooked chicken in the middle of the kitchen floor and left the back door wide open (hiding behind the door). The temptation was too much for Lexie. She came in for the chicken and the door was quickly shut! Then there was the joyous reunion of Lexie and Nikki which had everyone in tears.
This was the beginning of a dream life for Lexie and Nikki. Peter idolized these little dogs. They bloomed and were given everything two little dogs could dream of. They had the softest bed and doona even sharing it with Peter!
The dream ended when our dear friend Peter told us he had cancer. Peter was given two years. He asked us to mind Lexie and Nikki while he did some of the travelling overseas that he had always wanted to do, and never had the chance. Of course, we said yes. Peter asked us to promise him only one thing, which we did; to take Lexie and Nikki into our home and care for them to the end of their days when his own time was up. Peter had become a very dear and close friend to us so there were quite a few tears shed.
Unfortunately our dear friend did not get to do any travelling. Within a matter of weeks we received the phone call from Peter's neighbor that Peter was in hospital and not expected to come out and could she bring Lexie and Nikki back to us to care for. Of course, we agreed. Everything happened so quickly: we only had one chance to take Lexie and Nikki to visit Peter in the hospital. The following day Peter passed away.
How is it possible to describe the perfect little dog? Lexie was the cleanest little girl in the house, as is Nikki, too. They have both been very well behaved and do everything requested of them the best little kids you could imagine.
A few days ago Lexie was not well and had been coughing: a sort of gasping cough. A trip to the vet and we were told that her little heart had enlarged to such an extent it was pressing on her lungs, and there was no medication to help in a situation like this. However, they gave us some tablets to help ease any pain she may experience. I feel that it was not so much pain Lexie was experiencing, but panic at the lack of air because she could breathe. Two things gave me that impression. Firstly she was more comfortable if we directed the fan directly onto her face, and secondly, despite the cold, she wanted to stay outside.
Lexie refused to eat on Friday evening 28th August 2009. Then she refused all food and water.
Sunday morning 30th August 2009 Lexie passed quietly in her sleep.
We hope you have met up with Peter, our darling little girl. Rest in Peace and wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge.
In loving memory of a wonderful little dog who was so badly hurt by a human being "bully".
Princess is Peanut's mother and these two little dogs were picked up due to being belted by a bullying male who believed that belting a tiny little scrap of a dog would "teach" it to behave! A dog groomer rang Chihuahua Rescue and we picked up the two little girls.
Princess was a darling, quiet little dog and went very quickly to a wonderful home. Just as quickly, we realized that Peanut was calm and loved being petted, but would suddenly snap and bite while screaming - seemingly for no reason. We were shocked and very puzzled: why would a soft darling little scrap of a dog do this to us when we were softly cuddling, petting and talking to her? We noticed at this time that she had a very pronounced domed shaped head and sometimes quite protruding eyes.
Further investigation by our Vet brought the very disturbing news that Peanut had severe brain damage and was blind due to constantly being hit over the head during her first year of life. We believed that she was suffering from severe pain in her head from the brain swelling and that was why she was suddenly biting and screaming.
The Vet advised us that there was no treatment to help this little one. So, with tears pouring down our faces we made the horrible decision to let Peanut go in peace. The pain is truly unbearable when we go through this. We held Peanut, cuddling her close while she went to sleep.
Rest in loving peace our darling little Peanut.
I cannot see you Mommy, when you cuddle me so near.
And yet I know you love me, it's in the words I hear.
I cannot see you Daddy, when you hold me by your side
But still I know you love me when you tell me so with pride.
I cannot see to run and play out in the sun so bright
For here inside my tiny head it's always dark as night.
I cannot see the treats you give when I am extra good
But I can wag my tail in Thanks just like a good dog should.
"She cannot see. The dogs no good" is what some folks might say
"She can't be trained, she'll never learn She must be put away."
But not you, Mom and Daddy You know that it's alright
Because I love you just as much as any dog with sight.
You took me in, you gave me love and we will never part
Because I'm blind with just my eyes, I see you in my heart.
I am around six years old now and looking for a permanent home with a loving family, especially one with a bigger dog. I spent my first five years with a family, two children, their Mum and Dad, and Muffy who was a bit of a mutt, but very lovable. She "mothered" me!
Mum, Dad, and kids went away on holidays and boarded Muffy and me at some kennels. For six months they kept in touch and sent money to cover our board. But for some reason they decided not to send any more money; have gone on with their lives and left Muffy and me to fend for ourselves.
Being only four legged animals, we have not had much of a chance to fend for ourselves. The owners of the boarding kennels placed us both in a lost dogs home, where we spent the next fortnight. Since no one wanted to adopt us together, we were due to be put down. The horrors I experienced in the lost dogs home should not be forced onto any animal. Because of our highly advanced senses, we know everything going on in there. The terror and fright we suffered, the worry that our lives are coming to an abrupt end. The sense of death and finality is everywhere.
I spent a sleepless night prior to that final day; I was so scared to know everything was going to end and I would be dead.
Muffy was locked in another cage a few doors from me and we could only send our frightened thoughts back and forth as we waited for the long night to pass.
Mid 1998
Chihuahua Rescue. We received a phone call from one of our volunteers that they had found a Chihuahua due to be put down at a doggy home; would we take him? Of course we would!
Tiny 2 came to stay with us, and another volunteer adopted Muffy. We will forever wonder why these dogs owners never came back for them? You left them in a boarding kennel in Ballarat, Victoria, and went off on holiday, never to be heard from again. The kennel kept your dogs for twelve months (you said you would be gone for four weeks!). If you are out there somewhere, I only hope you suffer as much as you made these two totally innocent animals suffer, you rotten sods!
2008
It is now several years since you abandoned them in 1998. Muffy, unfortunately, has passed on from old age. Tiny 2 was adopted by a very loving family, but has also passed on.
We will often wonder if the irresponsible treatment by those who professed to love them caused them to prematurely go to doggy heaven?
This little fellow came to us in 1998, and little tiny lost scrawny, starving scrap of a dog. Age was debatable, but we thought about six or seven. With good food, and lots of tender care he came out of his shell.
An elderly couple fell in love with him, and he with them. So began one of the best advertising Chihuahua Rescue could have wanted. This couple named the little dog Denzil, after the carry bag he was carried EVERYWHERE in. This couple rode the train networks of Melbourne, suburbs and close by country town. Denzil would put his head out and people "drooled" over him, as his doting owners told the story of Chihuahua Rescue and passed out our telephone number. Denzil stayed with us for three months a couple of years ago, when his owners had to return to England on family business. A delightful, happy little dog.
During October 2004, Denzil developed a brain tumour and within three weeks he passed away quietly one night. Denzil, you gave so much love to so many people. Rest in peace, Denzil
A phone call "can you come a take this little Chihuahua. My Aunt owned her for ten years, and has now passed away". Poor little pet, I thought. We traveled to an Eastern suburb, knocked on the door, went in, met these lovely people, and stepped back when a little "spitfire" bared her teeth and let fly with a (what I was later to think) a delightful little "yap yap". So began my introduction to "Lucky", a tiny little ten year old Chihuahua, whom some of you met at one of the Chihuahua shows - yes she was the one with the sign saying "my owner has spoilt me for ten years and I bite everyone".
Today I have spent the whole day crying and sniffling, for I lost my darling little Lucky, who was not so lucky, after all.
Why do some little dogs grab your heart and win you over so completely. We kept Lucky for two months only, but I grew to love her with all my heart. All day Mayer has been telling me I am paranoid about these little dogs. Lucky will always remain in my heart, with her own very special place, and as much as I would like to find another just like her, I know that is impossible. I also know that just around the corner is another little darling in desperate need of love and offering total love and loyalty in return.
Elvis died about a week ago. He was adopted by a wonderful family. He spent four months happily - playing. Four months of loving family life. He went to bed and slept permanently in God's hands. He was a seventeen year old little chihuahuah with no hope for any future before these wonderful people gave him four months of total love and happiness.
You will be allways in our hearts Elvis, Sleep in peace...
Long golden coat, with flowing tail that reaches to the ground even when it is raised, curling in a pefect circle, up over her back. The tiniest dainty little face, and huge big brown eyes glistening with pure love and trust. The goldenest yellow of her coat is now fading in old age and is almost snow white on the top of her head, creeping through her coat and down her back. Talk about turning "grey"!
Tammy spent the first ten years of her life with her human "mum" being coddled, loved and adored. In return she gave total loyalty and love, even to her "mum's" family - daughter and grandchildren.
One afternoon Tammy came in from the back yard to find her "mum" lying on the floor. She licked her face and nudged her hand, getting no response. Tammy realised her "mum" was gone. She raised her head into the air and howled her sorrow. In the silence of the house nothing stirred, no one came to help, so Tammy did what all good and loyal dogs do, she sat by the body of her "mum" to keep her warm and guard her.
Three days without food or water; three days of exhaustion guarding the body of her loved mistress; three days or wondering and worrying; three days of hearing the telephone ring and not knowing what to do about it, all without any response. At the end of the three days daughter called in to see why her mum would not answer the phone.
Her shock on seeing the body of her mother on the floor made her scream and run towards her mother. Tammy did what she thought she had to do - guard her mistress. Tammy growled and bared her teeth, hassles up. Without a thought for the poor dog, daughter picked up Tammy and tossed her out the front door!
Poor Tammy, hungry and thirsty, to be treated so roughly and unfairly! She wandered onto the street wondering what she should do. Around the corner came an Alsation, unrestrained. He chased and attacked poor Tammy so viciously. He had the little Chihuahua in his jaws, shaking her just like a rabbit. Two youths walking along the street saw what was happening and started kicking at the Alsation to scare it away, but unfortunately they also kicked Tammy accidentally. Finally they were able to get her away from the big dog and took her to a local Vet, who treated her wounds. Tammy's owner's daughter was contacted and the Vet was told they did not want the dog as they already had a big dog, so Chihuahua Rescue was called.
Tammy was a real "baby". When you placed her upside down in your arms she would grasp around your wrist with her two front legs, holding on with quite a strong grip and almost "purring" with ecstasy. Sit in the armchair and she would snuggle down beside your leg; or sit up on her haunches beside you, place her front legs around your upper arm and rest her head against your shoulder - a real cuddle pot! The word "car" caused this little lady to go into excited agitation and meant exciting trips with her family. That glorious tail swayed and swished from side to side, sweeping the floor, huge big brown eyes sparkling! However, "no - stay" would cause her whole body to shrink with dissappointment, the lovely soft brown eyes clouding over with sorrow. Once in the car Tammy knew there would be lollies in the console. Pity help you if you did not offer her a lolly! She searched the dash and console until she sniffed the location of the hidden lolly, then she would sit up and beg. Once she was given a tiny piece of lolly, she would snuggle down beside your leg and not move until you had reached your distination.
Due to Tammy's age when she came to Chihuahua Rescue, no one has adopted her. Now in the year 2000 she is fifteen years old, very grey, a bit doddery, but still with the sparkling brown eyes. She has such good manners that she comes to say "thank you" when you dish up her food or offer a little tit bit. She runs in front of you, looks up into your eyes, wriggles her whole body, and licks your hand, before she lowers her head to eat! Despite her age and stiffness of arthritus in her joints, she still manages to jump up and snuggle in for a cuddle. She is a real "mother" to all the other Chihuahuas in our care. Tammy will defend any dog being picked on by another dog. She keeps them all in line. Whenever one misbehaves, Tammy steps in with a quick "nip" and a sharp "yap" as if to say "behave yourself".
All those years ago, Tammy came to us with her own basket, several soft plush toys, and two brilliant green woollen blankets. The toys were always shared and have been replaced several time over. The basket disintegrated with old age and little puppy chewings. But those two green blankets are still as sound as the day they came, and pity help anyone who tries to touch them! Tammy will allow me to take the blankets and wash them, then she sits under the clothes line and waits patiently for them to dry and she can have her "property" back. Once they are placed on her bed she inspects them very thoroughly and with her nose pushed them from one side to the other until they are exactly the way she wants them, lies down on them and gives one huge gigantic "sigh"!.
No one would adopt my darling Tammy, who had given so much for her one and only owner, but then also to us. She was such a little "teacher", and protector, of the other rescue dogs. At the grand old age of 18 human years, our delightful little Tammy passed away peacefully one morning after eating her breakfast. She came over and gave me a little lick on the hand, looked deeply into my eyes, and just lay down, dead. The tears fell on Tammy’s body for many hours, and for days after we buried her in the back yard. Rest in Peace, Tammy. You are in our hearts forever.
Mouse is a very special case and required a very special home. Mouse is deaf, and almost blind, he is an old dog but the most loveable little man you could find. He needs to go all around the house and yard to work our where everything is and then it is as though he can see. Once shown where to go to the toilet, he is spotlessly clean. We required a quiet loving home for this little chap to live out his last couple of years. A lot of people went to a great deal of trouble to rescue this little man and all are waiting breathlessly to hear of his new home.
Update:November 05, Mouse passed away peacefully in his sleep over night.
The phone call came through "Can you save my little ten year old tiny Chihuahua? She has not eaten for ten days and my vet wants to put her to sleep!"
OK drop everything and rush to the given address. On arrival the total shock of seeing this tiny little starved dog - just all bones, doubled over, eyes dull, very badly dehydrated. Not much hope here, we thought. However we took her home and started syringing honey and water into her. In desperation we rang several people, including the Dog God, a wonderful lady located in Brisbane. Dog God advised mixing ice cream, honey and malt and syringing this into her mouth every ten minutes throughout the night. This was the night of 17th June and many times through the night I thought we had lost her, she was just so weak and tired.
First thing Thursday morning we rushed to our vets at Beach St Vet Clinic where Jan took one look at Minnie and shook his head. However he did give her two 600ml injections of water under her skin and sent us home with one very bloated little dog and with the advice that there was not much hope as her liver and kidneys were probably malfunctioning by now with lack of food and water.
We persevered with minute amounts of liquids every ten to fifteen minutes day and again all night of 19th June. On Friday 20th this little girl started to lap out of a teaspoon and then out of a tiny little plate!! Better good news is that she has now passed a good sized motion and a huge big wee - so appears liver and kidneys are OK!
By Friday 27th June, 2008, YES!! Minnie was still with us despite the many ups and downs over the previous ten days. She sometimes eats and drinks voluntarily, but other times she seems to "forget" and just sleep for rather long periods. We began trying to give her fluids every hour or so, with a break through the night. We were worried as she had made no attempt to make another poo, which was worrying as her little liver has been through so much. The good news is that she is still fighting. Goodness, pity help us if we try to wake her every morning to go on the wee pad!! She bites, and those little eyes show signs of "anger"! Bless her.
Saturday 28th June 08 and YEA-AH!! She finally poo's for us - such releif. Now our darling Dog God has suggested we try some puppy chicken food with an egg yolk and honey. At first she would not take it so out with the teaspoon again, then put her in the pen with the plate - well you can see from the photo that she has started to eat from the plate! There is hope yet! Thank you to all those people who have emailed and are praying for this tiny little scrap of a dog! Thank also to all those who have published "posts" on our web page in support of Minnie.
11th July 2008 and Minnie is well on the way to recovery. She was very weak, naturally, but gaining strength day by day. She eats and drinks (not water!!) on her own, scratches her bedding to snuggle under the blanket. We have expanded her pen in the hope it will give her the incentive to get out and walk around a bit. She is very bright when one of the other dogs comes near her bed and stands up "tall" to keep an eye on things!
She sat on Mayers lap for fifteen minutes and went to sleep (another first!) Had a little drink of her icecream and is now snuggled up in her clean soft bed, sound asleep!
One month after coming into our care she spent some time in the sunshine with Nikky and Hillby, then slept on Mayer's lap for an hour. She now walks all around our loungeroom and porch. She is eating and drinking, and even putting on a little weight! Minnie is a real character, and we love her fighting spirit!
22nd July 08. Early this morning our darling little Minnie took a whopping big epileptic fit which lasted for six or seven minutes, and this was followed by an hour of semi-conscious "pacing" around and around her pen, crying all the time. Nothing would comfort her. I wrapped her in her blanket but she struggled out and kept going.
23rd July 08. You would not believe that yesterday ever happened! Minnie is back to normal. She stands up and peeks over her bed. When she sees a movement, she "demands" food! Today she has eaten some mutton meat loaf, some "fried" chicken (everything must be fried for her!) In this house it is - do what they want just so long as they eat!
14th September 08. Minnie has been going along really well, and then last night she took a really bad epileptic attack and died quietly while I cradled her and conforted her. Mayer has buried her in our back yard.
This is Minnie, the first time she began to eat voluntarily.
This was when she started to eat from a teaspoon, look at the fighting spirit in those eyes!!
Minnie when she first started eating from a tiny little bowl!
Elderly Scottish lady wants you to pick up female with two pups. OK. Be prepared for long phone call! An hour on the phone resulted in being told she had changed her mind - had been angry with "poopies" earlier as they had eaten one of her slippers, but they were "looverly" now. No problem.
Two weeks later she phones "coon you coom and peek oop one poopy" such a broad Scottish accent! OK.
Hanging in the middle of the screen door is a scribble pad and pencil for people to leave notes, plus a big sign saying "DEAF please ring on BELL". Reached for old rusty bell but it had no middle, hence no ringer. Next door neighbor says "She is deaf. You will have to bang on the door" The radio blaring inside the unit had the walls vibrating, so raised fist and hammered until hand almost fell off with the pain!. Started to walk away when the door opens and this tiny little old lady with a head of bouffant blonde hair; snaps "who are you?" Tell her my name and from Chihuahua Rescue - only to be met with "Oooh oi knoow yoo people, I have been roobbed twooce. Where’s yoor proof of oidentity?"
By now there are two neighbors joining in. One yells to her "look at the car, it is covered in Chihuahua’s so it must be the Chihuahua rescue lady." Drivers license and Chi flyer later, she agrees to let me in. She opened the door and we both squeezed into this tiny little space inside the door.
Mouth agape, I watched as she reached up and pulled her hair. With a plop sound off came this huge blonde wig and I was told "Soorry eet was uncoomfoortable. Oi was pretending to be moi sister."
I have seen some sights from time to time, but this tiny little one bedroom unit was filled from the floor to the ceiling with everything you could think of! She had moved from a two storey four bedroom house and bought the lot with her! Sliding feet sideways was able to edge along one wall to the bedroom, which was just as tightly packed to the ceiling. From somewhere she managed to pick up the little male "poopy" and put him into my arms and then said "Yoo will hoove to back oot as there’s noo room to toirn around". Chi tucked under my arm I managed to squeeze sideways out of the room and out the front door
The male "poopy" was about two years old! Not really a puppy anymore.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE "POOPY"?
This little scrap was adopted to a really lovely lady, Mrs. Bartels. The first phone call reported that the little chap had settled in really well but he tore around the place like a whirlwind, so his name has been changed to Speedy. During the ensuing years we have had many letters and phone calls from Mrs. Bartels advising of Speedy’s progress.
The most disturbing information she kept speaking of was his constant "cough". Yes, you guessed it - the Chihuahua soft palate cough!
Eight years later we received the phone call from a very distressed Mrs. Bartels to advise that little Speedy had passed away
This is the letter we have received from Mrs. Bartels. Quote "enclosed is a cheque to help the little old dogs, all in memory of Speedy. You gave me a lot of happiness for which I am eternally grateful and also I must say how much I admire what you are doing, and all the advice you have given me over the last eight years.. May God bless you and your husband and keep you in good health to continue the work of caring for these little animals.
Speedy was loved by all who came to my house on a regular basis. I have so many helpers who keep asking where he is and when told what happened they are shocked and so sad and say what an affectionate little dog he was. He would bark his little head off and then run to the front door to greet them! One man called him "my little door bell" as he announced their arrival with my meals."
Click on each dog's name to read their story or click to 
Pablo passed away on the 29th of November 2010. He was one of those really special little boys and was featured as a 
Darling Pablo,
Chihuahua Rescue picked Spotty up as a skinny half starved little dog from a pounds. We estimated his age at about 7 or 8 in January 2006. He was so grateful for a good feed and a warm bed that he went out of his way to please. He was obedient and well behaved; obviously someone had trained this little man.
In memory of Spot
Well Old Man, I miss you terribly. Our family wishes you well in the next life and I'm sure you will stick around in heaven to guard us. It was a privilege to get to know you. You had a rotten time before you met Rita at Chihuahua Rescue and I'm sorry for all the pain you must have endured, but I'm so blessed that you came into our lives you made us all the richer for it. I'm sure that there is a piece of cheese waiting for you in doggy heaven. May Angels watch over you on your journey. Go with all our love.
The call to "rescue" Lexie came in 1999. We took a trip to the outer suburbs of Melbourne and found these two little skinny dogs (mother and son) in a very dejected state. Locked outside, living in a little kennel with a yard completely covered in slate not a blade of grass anywhere. To top it off, there was only a little bowl of water and no sign of food. The excuse from the lady was "I cannot care for them as I want to travel"! We picked them up and got out of there as quickly as we could.
Shortly thereafter both Lexie and Nikki were adopted by Peter. The next day Peter rang in a panic. Lexie had run away! Peter's property bordered on a public forestry reserve which was very overgrown: impassable even. But Lexie had gone in there as every now and then someone would catch a glimpse of her. Peter was told to lock Nikki inside and not let him out under any circumstances. We hoped that Lexie would come to seek Nikki out. Yes, she did, but only when she thought no one was around.
A few days ago Lexie was not well and had been coughing: a sort of gasping cough. A trip to the vet and we were told that her little heart had enlarged to such an extent it was pressing on her lungs, and there was no medication to help in a situation like this. However, they gave us some tablets to help ease any pain she may experience. I feel that it was not so much pain Lexie was experiencing, but panic at the lack of air because she could breathe. Two things gave me that impression. Firstly she was more comfortable if we directed the fan directly onto her face, and secondly, despite the cold, she wanted to stay outside.
2009.
This little fellow came to us in 1998, and little tiny lost scrawny, starving scrap of a dog. Age was debatable, but we thought about six or seven. With good food, and lots of tender care he came out of his shell.
A phone call "can you come a take this little Chihuahua. My Aunt owned her for ten years, and has now passed away". Poor little pet, I thought. We traveled to an Eastern suburb, knocked on the door, went in, met these lovely people, and stepped back when a little "spitfire" bared her teeth and let fly with a (what I was later to think) a delightful little "yap yap". So began my introduction to "Lucky", a tiny little ten year old Chihuahua, whom some of you met at one of the Chihuahua shows - yes she was the one with the sign saying "my owner has spoilt me for ten years and I bite everyone".
Elvis died about a week ago. He was adopted by a wonderful family. He spent four months happily - playing. Four months of loving family life. He went to bed and slept permanently in God's hands. He was a seventeen year old little chihuahuah with no hope for any future before these wonderful people gave him four months of total love and happiness.
Long golden coat, with flowing tail that reaches to the ground even when it is raised, curling in a pefect circle, up over her back. The tiniest dainty little face, and huge big brown eyes glistening with pure love and trust. The goldenest yellow of her coat is now fading in old age and is almost snow white on the top of her head, creeping through her coat and down her back. Talk about turning "grey"!
Mouse is a very special case and required a very special home. Mouse is deaf, and almost blind, he is an old dog but the most loveable little man you could find. He needs to go all around the house and yard to work our where everything is and then it is as though he can see. Once shown where to go to the toilet, he is spotlessly clean. We required a quiet loving home for this little chap to live out his last couple of years. A lot of people went to a great deal of trouble to rescue this little man and all are waiting breathlessly to hear of his new home.
OK drop everything and rush to the given address. On arrival the total shock of seeing this tiny little starved dog - just all bones, doubled over, eyes dull, very badly dehydrated. Not much hope here, we thought. However we took her home and started syringing honey and water into her. In desperation we rang several people, including the Dog God, a wonderful lady located in Brisbane. Dog God advised mixing ice cream, honey and malt and syringing this into her mouth every ten minutes throughout the night. This was the night of 17th June and many times through the night I thought we had lost her, she was just so weak and tired.
Elderly Scottish lady wants you to pick up female with two pups. OK. Be prepared for long phone call! An hour on the phone resulted in being told she had changed her mind - had been angry with "poopies" earlier as they had eaten one of her slippers, but they were "looverly" now. No problem.