Today, January 8, 2008.... The day was a day we wish we could start over! Today, we had Poncho laid to rest. He was a good dog with some bad genetics. He recently just before Christmas bit our neighbor. She had to report it, since her hand swelled up and she went to the hospital. The animal control came out and he was in quarantine for 10 days. We took him to the Vet to get his shots updated, however, Ken and the Vet both agreed it was time to put an end to his life, because the risk he was to our family or someone else.
I am writing this with sadness and knowing that we did the right thing, it is still hard.
Poncho came into our lives January 2000. I was away on a skiing trip to Colorado and came home to my cousin calling me and we went out together. We were talking about dogs, and Ken and I had at that time thought it would be cool to get a dog. Ken wanted a small one and I a big one. My cousin was watching a little chihuahua named Speedy. He was a cute little thing. I brought him in the house and said "look what I brought you" (joking of course). He was excited and thought I really did get him a dog, I told him the truth. I did mention to my cousin that if she knew of another dog like Speedy that we might be interested. Then a few weeks later, I think that is was something like that... when my other cousin called to say that a chihuahua was available to be adopted, it was found on the streets in Trenton and would need a good home. We went and saw the dog. I fell in love with him, and Ken, well, the dog growled at him and showed his teeth, this should have been a warning and we should have stopped there. I encouraged Ken and said we could take him to training etc, and yes we brought Poncho, we named him that. Since I was just in Colorado, I thought I would pick a name from the map. I was in Poncha Springs CO and thought that would make a good name. Poncho via would also fit him perfectly.
We bought Poncho for $50 that covered his shots and stuff and we took him to the vet and got him checked out. We were proud to have him and treated him like a child. We made sure we gave him good dog food, doggie treats and gave him lots of love. I know I am missing a few things like the fact he was a puppy when we got him or about 1 year old. We adopted him on Ken's birthday January 22, 2000. He also chewed a pillow, the tv remote, and a rug or two. Overall things were going good. Then Poncho twisted his knee and tore ligaments which costed us $1000 to get fixed!
The months and years went on, Poncho was apart of our lives, before children. I think Poncho had it out for our neighbors. He did not get along with our neighbor Marge and Megan in Dearborn Hgts. He wanted to bite them one night they were watching him. I think Megan says he became a "devil" dog when she went around him. This should have been a strong warning. We kept him and now the last straw was after he did bite our current neighbor Kathie.
There are people who love him, like us and there were those who knew he just was trouble. We gave him a good life. We did try some behavior training, as well as dog obedience, and even agility to help with the behaviors. He went camping with us, he had his own life jacket, and several beds around the house. He loved food and on one occasion during a family party, he stole a corn cob from someone's plate. I got it out and I think he ate someone's sandwich and the plate from another party.
He loved to go on walks, and did good at agility. We even tried to get him to be a therapy dog. That however, ended because he growled and snapped at one of the patients.
He was a good watch dog yet if you gave him a treat, he was your friend for life. I like to think that he was a good dog and despite the efforts we tried we were not going to change his behaviors or that he just was going to hurt someone eventually. Unfortunately it had to end and we will miss him, I already do. Even as I drove into the driveway, he would run up to the vehicle and get so close to the tire you thought you were going to hit him, just was just excited you were home....
Poncho, I hope you enjoyed your life with us and now you can eat, run, bark, sleep on warm blankets, and do all that you want with no limits. Peace to you as you rest. We will remember you always. Love, Mom, Dad, Cody and Brady!
No comments:
Post a Comment