1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10 On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

..and Abby adds, “Don’t forget all the crazy stuff I put up with…”

Nuzzles, Abby & Annabelle

WBTV Charlotte Puppy Mill Resuces

The Humane Society of Charlotte has taken in more than a dozen dogs after a puppy mill was busted in Randolph County.

The animals were brought to the Humane Society on Wednesday, in an effort led by the Randolph County Animal Control resulted in 21 mill dogs being surrendered.

17 of the dogs came to Charlotte, but there are an additional 20 dogs still left on the property.

The dogs rescued by the Humane Society of Charlotte are Brussels Griffons, Pomeranians, West Highland Terriers, Shih-Tzus and Scottish Terriers.

To read the article from WBTV  click here…

Read Puffy’s Story here…

3 month old puppy needs your help

Hugs  Abby, Annabelle, and Mama

I found this book very useful when I first started researching Poms.  I highly recommend it.   I trust the Animal Planet Series.  This is what the publishers have to say about it…
The Pomeranian is an active and intelligent dog with a striking coat. This guide features ideal training methods and fun activities for this energetic breed. TFH Publications Inc. has teamed up with Animal Planet, the only television network devoted to the unique bonds between humans and animals, to present an exciting new series of comprehensive guides to superior pet care. Each book in the Animal Planet Pet Care Library offers incredible value, featuring 112 pages of all-new, current information from pet care and animal experts with a family-friendly design, over 60 full-color photographs, and helpful tip boxes. Also included is advice on feeding, housing, grooming, training, health care, and fun activities. Author: Margurite Stocker Publisher: THF Publications Inc. August, 2006

For 16 years Daddy was a valued member of the Millan family.  He became theirs at 4 month so of age and spread his calm attitude to all that met him.  I feel like I know this dog myself.  I have watched the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic Channel for years.  I have read Cesar’s books and I have fallen in love with a Pitbull.  As a Pomeranian lover you would think that loving a Pit would be crazy.  The seems so opposite from each other.

Daddy was the gentle giant of his breed and a great ambassador.  I cried the episode where a man had fear of dogs all his life and ended up playing with Daddy as the dog rolled onto his back and exposed his belly for him.  The noises, growls and grunts that came out of him just made me grin from ear to ear.  Thank you for changing my attitude toward your breed Daddy.  On the day I learned of your passing I was in the pet store and a little 8 week old Pit puppy was there in a girls arms.  In the past, I would have had thoughts like “How cute  but what a terror he will be when he grows up”.  Instead, I reached out and tickled his face and said, “Are you going to be a good Daddy or maybe a Junior when you grow up?”  and walked away feeling very maternal and loving toward the tiny innocent pup.

Daddy is said to have passed quietly with his family.  My heart breaks.  I haven’t been able to write this until today.   If a dog you have never met, that lives clear on the opposite side of the US, can touch you that deeply imagine how many others have been touched.  How many others have had their attitudes changed toward Pitbulls over all?  Daddy has had quite an effect on all of the people and dogs he has personally ( doggally??)  helped to rehabilitate but that’s not all.  He has left quite a legacy.  Daddy has helped to change the perception of the general public.  Not an easy thing to do.

My heart goes out to the Millan family and those at the Center.  My heart goes out to the Nat. Geo. crew and anyone who has ever had the privilege of meeting Daddy. I know a little piece of all of us went with him but that’s okay.  He gave so much to us…

For those of you who would like to help…

To honor Daddy’s legacy, the Daddy’s Emergency Animal Rescue [DEAR] Fund has been established by the Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation.

The DEAR Fund will provide assistance for dogs who are victims of abuse or violence, man-made disasters(hoarder and puppy mill rescues), and large-scale natural disasters (hurricanes, fires, and other natural catastrophes).

Hey, Claudia!
Wanted to tell you that J and I are thinking about getting another pom in the next year.  I’m reading through your site (or rather Abby’s site — amazing the work she can do w/o opposable thumbs!)  But wanted to know if there is anything you can think of we should be aware of.  For instance, helping Chewie adjust; whether the gender makes a diff (Chew is a male); sharing toys, etc vs respecting Chew’s stuffage.  I’ll continue to look online, but thought I’d run it past you.  J is pretty set on buying from a breeder.  Generally, I’m a big proponent of shelter adoption.  I figure, if our goal is acquiring another fuzzy family member and spreading the love, I could care less how pure bred the animal may be.  Y’know?  Your thoughts?

Thanks!
L

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Hi L!!

I’m so happy to hear that.  They say Poms are like potato chips you can’t have just one.    First off, there is another option for adopting.  Check out a Pom Rescue.  They have all sorts of ages and usually are purebreds or at least a Pom mix.

I have two girls and they are both fixed.  In my experience boys are a bit more “excitable”   so to speak.  I know when I’ve seen groups together the boys are a bit more rambunctious.   My girls, once out of the first year are both calm sweethearts.  So that is something to  keep in mind.  Plus, with the doggy dominance thing, another male may make Chewie feel like he has to act out.  It all depends on the second ones personality.  If he is going to be assertive, Chewie will have to decide if he wants to be the boss  or if the new pup is happy go lucky then things may just fall into place.

If you get a baby then just be aware of the fragility of a new tiny pom.  Physically they shouldn’t jump off things,  be around toddlers  and they need to eat regularly so their sugar level doesn’t drop (But the breeder should explain all this plus not allow a brittle hypoglycemic puppy leave their care.) etc.

Biggest advice is, dogs have a pack instinct and will love having other dogs unless they themselves are old and feeble and feel threatened.  They tend to work out their hierarchy themselves if we just let them.  Pomeranians are very people focused and the biggest issues I have run across are jealousy of my attention.  Then it’s just like kids, you have to play referee and divvy up your time.

Hope that helps get you started!  Thanks for our first  “dear Abby” lol
Good luck!   … and be sure to let us know how it goes!

Claudia

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Abby& Mama!

Thanks for the response.  We will definitely check out Pom Rescue and similar services.  Chewie is very pack-oriented.  We belong to him and he’s a snuggler.  He is very excitable and I will warrant a guess that he has tendencies towards dominance — he and J have a little power struggle going that he doesn’t exhibit with me.  (“He” meaning Chewie….well, and J too for that matter.)  J got Chewie when he was a newborn, palm-sized Pom and so is well experienced with that stage.  I’ll keep you informed.  Thanks again!

They call Pomeranians “yappy”.  Well, every time I hear a story like this or one about robbers avoiding houses with noisy small dogs, I thank God for ‘yappy’ dogs.  God bless you Tuffy and I know  you will  bark your little heart out when your family joins you after a longer life.  Five lives you helped to see another day. You certainly earned your wings.

For the article I read click here.

Humane Society

Incomprehensible.  How can people be that way?    This one has a happy ending but how many do?

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named ‘Lucky.’ Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky’s other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease….in fact, she was just sure it was fatal.

She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her…what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary’s dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won’t understand that I didn’t want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn’t understand what was wrong. She couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!

While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It’s been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember….live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget….the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.