Casey - Chihuahua - male/neutered - mature (10 years of age) - 11 pounds - black short coat.
Dear little Casey is such a funny little fellow. His foster mom told us that at first, he inspired a little bit of pity in her. With his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, and his grumpy, cautious ways and stocky body, he seemed pretty sad and forlorn. "But then, after having him a while, we just love him. He is so sweet and unobtrusive, so unassuming.”
And he is also inordinately grateful. Casey came to Hedgesville Hounds with his supremely outgoing sister Cala. The two dogs' former human, with whom they had spent their entire lives, experienced health issues that forced her to leave her home and surrender her dogs to Animal Control. Animal Control had serious concerns about bringing the two small dogs into the facility, fearing it would stress and frighten them too greatly, especially after suffering the loss of their lifetime caregiver.
Fortunately, Hedgesville Hounds had a foster family who could take both dogs immediately, and so Casey embarked on a new life.
Despite the initial impression that Casey creates, which reminds us of Eeyore the donkey in Winnie the Pooh - mournful, shy and quite grumbly - he is filled with wonderful heart and goodness. He has a kind of sad way of looking sidewise when he first meets a new person, which gives an impression that he does not care for any more friends. What is so touching and endearing about him is how if he is left to snuffle alone burrowed in his blanket, he will then leap out of bed and run out and ask for the very attention he had rejected at first. Then when his desire for attention is noticed, he feels the need to act tough, barking and almost snarling as if to reject you before you can reject him. It is rather pathetic, really - and given that he has no teeth, truly a waste of time. Once given the chance to get over his fear, Casey becomes a sweet little guy who just wants to be loved.
Casey is a sturdy little halfback of a chihuahua. He is barrel-chested with short, stubby legs and he has an apple-shaped head. His tongue hangs out because of a series of tooth extractions that left him toothless, but still quite a good eater - a bit too good, in fact, as he was overweight when he came into care. A good portion of his extra poundage was no fault of his own - his nails were so long that they had curled under and started growing into his pads, and it was an act of courage and fortitude that he walked at all.
Now that he is in foster care, and his immediate physical needs have been met, Casey is a new man. He loves to walk on a leash, and at those times he actually prances along. Otherwise he has a bit of a lumbering gait. Now that he can move more comfortably, Casey is building up strength in his legs, and can even navigate stairs!
In terms of his disposition - it is champion. Casey may give the impression that he is a bit of a curmudgeon, but in truth he is sensitive, kind and gentle. His foster mom reports that he is fabulous with both her resident dogs, and with their foster kittens, who snuggle and head butt him with complete impunity. When asked what behaviors of his touched her the most, his foster mom responded, “His bravery when he decides he wants your affection. He is just so sweet and precious. He sometimes almost falls over leaning into you.” Of course, this affection is well earned because it takes great courage for Casey to give that affection.
Casey’s favorite things are being petted and stroked. He stiffens when you pick him up, but then relaxes and melts into you. His preference is to lie next to, rather than on top of, a lap. This may have been an accommodation made over the years to his sister, who delights in occupying a lap. Casey also loves to lie on a blanket on the couch - in fact, the couch is his favorite place to be, and better yet if a human is right there on the couch with him. At night he adores sleeping in bed with his human caregivers, and he snuggles in and does not move a muscle all night long.
Casey is house trained. He also is excellent riding in a car.
We would like to see Casey go to a home without small children (under the age of 12). Casey's foster home has teenagers. Casey loves the family boys, but gets scared when friends come to visit. When a group came over for dinner, he hid himself in his bed while his sister snuggled on laps and enjoyed their attention. It is important that Casey's adopter(s) continue helping him rebuild his strength. We also would like to see Casey go to a home in which his funny, unique mannerisms are recognized and celebrated as the quirks and characteristics of an extremely dear, loving, gentle, tolerant, and brave little guy.
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