One day we got a call from a shelter in Roanoke, VA saying that they had two cute little cinnamon, female Chows. The puppies were left outside the shelter office door even though they were open and there were people inside the office.

We met one of the ladies from the shelter, picked up the puppies, and took them home. The puppies were absolutely terrified. The two little girls would roll over and scream, defacating on themselves when you even looked at them. We worked with them until they finally trusted us not to hurt them.

We finally found homes for both the girls. Keiko went to a young couple who adopted another female at the same time. Minshanko went to a young family who adopted a male from us a number of months earlier.

Unfortunately, Keiko and SuLing began having a number of fights. SuLing was lording her dominance over Keiko who was very timid. Keiko would hide under the bar in the basement or in the corner between the two couches in the living room. No matter what the couple tried, they were not able to change the atmosphere in the home.

Finally, the couple who had some personal difficulties gave both of the Chows back to us as they no longer had someplace where they could keep them. We kept Keiko for a while and worked with her to try and quell her timidity.

Then came the day when a young lady came in to one of our adoption days. She was interested in Keiko, so we took her over to the house to see if it would be a good match. The lady had a couple of cats and Keiko would need to get along with them in order for it all to work.

Keiko was the more timid of the two puppies and was still the more timid all this time later. Her new mom wondered if Keiko would ever bond with her and feel secure. Although she was doubtful, she gave Keiko all the time and patience needed. Finally, one day her fondest dreams were answered and Keiko became a true member of the family. She and the cats got along great, and she and her mom were closely bonded.

The one cat eventually became pregnant and when it was time for the birthing, Keiko paced the floor like an expectant aunt. So, the family grew. Then Keiko's mom decided that Keiko needed to have a Chow friend of her own, so Aslan became a live-in foster brother. The two of them got along so very well and bonded. But the cats weren't as happy about having him there. But as things do with time, it all worked out and now Keiko has not only her feline siblings, but Aslan as well. Today Keiko is a very well adjusted, loving, friendly little girl who is very playful and protective of her entire family.

Keiko and her family moved to California and we surely do miss them all! But the kids are enjoying themselves with their mommy who takes them to a beach that is set aside for the owners of dogs to take the fur kids to play.

Donations

Chow Rescue of Northern Virginia is a non-profit organization. If you would like to make a donation by credit card to Chow Rescue of No. VA, you can register for online payments at PayPal; the email address you'll need to use is Chowrescuenva@cox.rr.com and the name is McBee. You can also make a donation by check payable to Michael McBee at P.O. Box 2083, Falls Church, VA 22042-2083.

Page created by: Chow Rescue of No. VA
3 February 2000