A Stranger in Our Midst
 

First of all, let me say that my Back Yard is nothing less than a Fortress...
I've had Puppies weighing 1 Lb which couldn't get out, and with 6' Fencing all around it and the Gates locked, nothing "walks" in that I'm not aware, or made aware of.

Three days ago in the afternoon...
I was sitting at the Breakfast Room Table (coffee/cig) and suddenly my guys (all 3) bolted out the Doggy Door, alarming at the top of their lungs, and rushed to the back of the property and around the end of the Garage (I can't see that area from the BR table). I suspected it was a stray Cat or something, so I didn't get all that excited about it. All three have very sharp noses, and are extremely alert about any territorial violation.

A few moments passed...
And I saw something black dart along the Fence, with my guys following at a "safe" distance. A close look, and I discovered that it was a small black Chihuahua. I grabbed a couple Treats, went outside, and finally coaxed the very skittish Female to come to me.

All the while, I was wondering how in the world she got into the yard...
I picked her up, and made a careful tour around the perimeter, not seeing any board loose, or space under the fence where she could have entered. I then took her inside, and adjusted one of my Puppy Harness' to fit her (she's rather small, compared to my guys) put a Leash on it, and offered her food and water. No takers, but, she finally stopped shaking, with me holding her in my lap. After afew minutes, I isolated her in the Utility Room (with Doggy Door open to the outside), and decided that it was too late to start a search for its owner. Later that evening, I started typing out a Flyer to post around the neighborhood. I checked on her several times through the night, seeing that she had found my Crate, and was sleeping in it, with the door wide open.

My mornings are the most busy for me...
I allowed her to mingle with my guys, as I finished the Flyer. I was about to click on Print, when a friend of mine came over, and ask why was a Dog Crate outside setting beside the house. I looked in the Utility Room, seeing my Crate still there. I went outside to find a very nice Wire Crate in good condition, a soft Mat, Blanket and a small Pink Collar all inside the Crate, just sitting there, well onto my property.

Now, let's think for a minute here...
1) There was NO way that little Dog jumped over a 6" Fence into my back yard.
2) Since I didn't order a Crate or any of that stuff from PetSmart, someone had to have put it there sometime after dark, the night before.

I then decided not to print out the Flyer,
Just letting things ride for the rest of the day. The next morning, I glanced out the Kitchen window and sure enough I had another present when I looked at my Suburban, seeing a couple pieces of Paper stuck under the Wiper. It was a Medical Record, for a 2yo 5 Lb Female Chihuahua (no name), which included all its shot records and birth date, save that, all of the"ownership" information was eliminated (manually cut out).

So, my thoughts were...
1) Someone apparently, saw that I had Dogs, from me walking them through the neighborhood.
2) For some unknown reason, couldn't keep this little Lady, and dropped her over my Fence into my yard.
3) They must have decided that they didn't need the Crate and stuff anymore, and left it there too.
4) At some point (the 3rd day) thought that I might need some Medical History on her, and left that as well.

On the Fourth Day...
After having this totally loveable little girl, licking my face, cuddling and rubbing up against me as I watched TV, then, going into "HER" crate on her own when I went to bed. And after all the more than circumstantial evidence, decided to delete the intended Flyer from my Computer, and made an appointment with my Vet for a Wellness Exam.

I'M KEEPING HER !

May I now introduce the newest addition to the SWHouston Pack, who I've named,
Navi
(actually it's spelled & spoken NA'vi, and three cheers for anyone who knows where I got that name)

In closing, I want to thank some unknown person(s) for this living gift.
I have a very strong feeling, that Navi may have been owned by an older person who has passed, or become unable to care for her, and that person, or that person's survivors decided to give her to me anonymously. I know that this type action eliminates a refusal, but, after one little kiss from Navi on my nose, I wanted to keep her anyway.

In any case...
I promise that she'll be well taken care of, loved, and treated just like she was born into My Pack.

So, to whom ever you are, THANK YOU !
S. W. Houston

Someone once said: "The best things in life are Free" (I'm inclined to agree)

PS:
The Vet said she was as healthy as a little Caballo, her Shot Record was up to date (via the previous owner/Medical Records provided), and only needed a Bordetella, and Hart Worm check which proved clear of any infestation.

Awww...she has such expressive eyes... Congrats on the new addition. I have a chihuahua also, she is my lapdog..very clingy to me.

What an incredible story! It seems to me that whoever left her with you was confident that she would be well taken care of. Congratulations on your new little angel. Navi is certainly one blessed little pup.

Wow what a story. Congrats. The person that gave her to you had to know you are a caring and loving person that would do anything for them. I am glad they thought well enough to give you her things and the medical records. Is the vet listed on it?

Great story! I love the way you write. I was sitting at the edge of my seat :eyeballpc

Congrats on your new addition. This was certainly meant to be.

Was the previous owners name on the health records? What about microchip registration? Obviously her current owners were not able to care for her any longer, and they wanted you be sure she was loved and well cared for....and they pre selected YOU to provide her a furever home! Congratulations! What a beautiful story....and she is precious!

Aww..how lucky they chose you! She looks a lot like my Daisy. I call her my Velcro dog. I actually inherited her from my Mom when she died.

What a great story! Congrats on your new addition, she looks very well cared for.

To all of you who mentioned the "Velcro" issue...
you are SO RIGHT !
I thought my Yorkies were pretty close, but this little lady is like GLUE ! :D

Yorkiemom1,
A Chip was the first thing I checked for when we got to the Vet's office. All the Owners names and other possible "connections" to them, had been cut (with Scissors) out of the Papers they left under my Wiper Blade. So there's no way I can find that out. If I could, I'd send them a Thank You Card. :thumbup:
As far as the "well cared for" part, that's certainly true (more like obsessive). My guys can Hiccup and my finger is hovering over the Vet's quick dial number instantly :rolleyes:

AllDogBoots,
Thank you, your kind words are sincerely appreciated.
My literary endeavors were related to Engineering Technical Papers before I retired, and Science Fiction since, though I am not permitted to reveal my Pen Name.

Verbena,
Thank you as well.
The issue on, why they chose me is puzzling. I'm certainly not the only Dog owner in this neighborhood, by a long shot. It is possible that they noticed now often I take my guys out for a walk/to hunt (rarely miss a day), so an issue of "presence" may have been it. The other people around here are really lazy, I hardly ever see them out with their animals. :(

NOW, all of you, come on and pick up the Gauntlet !
Anyone have any idea how I chose "NA'vi", as her name ? :D
(I've already given you a hint)

Is the name connected with the film Avatar?

It is the people of the planet pandora

Well congrats to you and that sweet little girl. I actually found a Chihuahua pup 3 1/2 yrs. ago, 2 days before Christmas and about 30 min. before a major cold front moved through Houston. She is a blonde Deer Chihuahua and couldn't have been more than 3 mos. old when I found her. She was so young that she was still pink. Noone was looking for her so I grabbed her as I knew that she would probably die in the rain and cold. Besides who ever she belonged to didn't care enough to keep a close eye on her so I never posted anything about her. I went back to the place I found her several times and nothing. I named her Holly and she is mine forever.

Very heartwarming. I think if I were you on every walk we took I'd be wandering if someone's checking up on the dog they rehomed.

joyce evans,
Blond Deer !, ohhh gees, I think I'd better find a Wawa Forum and find something out about my new little acquisition ! What would one that's black like Navi be called ? However there's probably numerous Users on this Forum which have those constantly shivering little tikes :D

Remember that Blanket that was in the Crate...
Navi plows under it when she goes to bed ! I've had to feel of it several times, to find out where she was. I leave the Doggy Door open for my guys to potty when they want to, so locating them all is sometimes a chore. I have a General Assembly call for my guys, but it's not something I'd like to do at midnight :D

dollydoodle,
Ummm, someone checking up on me or my property, doesn't make me feel very comfortable. At this point, I'm not sure I'd appreciate or cooperate with any "request to have her returned". I went ahead and had her Microchipped at the Vet's Office. So, I guess if push came to shove, I may have the upper hand.

On a Health Note...
After Navi got the Bordetella "sniff", she didn't deal with it too well. Coughed for several hours after. Hope that stuff is Dead Virus !
I understand that her Breed is just as susceptible to have the Tracheal Collapse as are the Yorkshire.

No, I didn't mean it to sound like stalking, but the people seem to really care about the little one, live in the neighborhood, & will just happen to see you walking someday. Bittersweet, really.
I was given my beautiful Teena by the owner who knew she was being neglected & I worried a bit about the owner changing her mind. But then I spent some money on her-teeth cleaning, microchip, check-up-& decided that meant she was mine!

But, I am still a little concerned. After the "obvious" placement, there still is a lingering thought that they may want her back. I suppose IF I knew who they were, I might feel a little easer about it...maybe.

Not sure about your little pooch but I've heard of apple heads and deer. My Wawa has very long legs and her head is shaped like a deer head.
I love what youv'e named her but wonder what her name was.

Awwwww....I love this, absolutely love this!! Congrats on the new Chi!!!

Now could you please change your avatar or tell me what it is? I can never figure it out and it makes me crazy....!!!

Would seem Navi is home:D
Blessings to you for opening you home and heart to this little one in need"

Congratulations on the new adorable addition to your pack. Glad to hear Navi is doing well. Amazing story! Someone definitely thought you would take good care of this little one.

My Avatar is a picture of a Golfer, hitting a Ball off of the Tee.
There has been a "Flame" photoshoped into the Picture, implying that the Ball was hit so hard it exploded. :D (I play Golf)

Thank all of you for your very kind words.
I am a little concerned though, Navi is (occasionally) coughing like she did after the Bordetella. If this goes on, it's back to the Vet for sure.

Nope....live virus....which is why alot of dogs get sick from it and develop KC after having the drops....I hate it.

What a sweet story...I am happy she found you!

congrats sounded like they picked the perfect home for her!!

She looks like a sweet little doll, whoever left her chose her new home well.

Awww, what a sweet story!

Did they also cut out the identity of the vet clinic that gave her the shots? If you have that info and the dates of service, they may be able to determine the previous owners.

Wow what a story!! Congrats on your new addition!! She is adorable and I love the name you picked for her.
I'm glad they picked you to be her new owner because who knows where that little girl would have ended up or what would happen to her if given to someone else.

Bordetella given via the nostril is a live virus. The shot/injection is a killed virus.
If she is still coughing I would say she has kennel cough now. I would take her back to the vet and get her some antibiotics bad sadly it will probably take a while for her to get over. That's why I hate the nasal bordetella, I've seen so many get KC from it.:(

Yorkiemom1,
Uooo Live !, She's not getting any better (coughing more frequently). I called the Vet today to tell of this, but didn't actually make an appointment. She recommended that I come by and pick up some Cough Suppressant. Is there a test for the KC ?

OwnedByJezebel,
There may be enough info on those papers where if I tried I could probably trace back to the previous owner. But, given that they wanted to remain anonymous, I'm somewhat reluctant to go there. However, if I suspect that they dumped Navi on me, because they knew she was going to have problems, I'd probably see that we had some face time.

That/this isn't going to prevent me from seeing that She's a well Dog at some point.

MyTrixie143,
We were posting at the same time. Then, I'll take Navi with me tomorrow and have the Vet check that.

The longer I sit here the more ticked off I am about this (IF it's KC) !
So simply one just need to demand the Injection method to prevent this ?
Is the KC contagious ? Are my other guys in any jeopardy, given they've all had the Nasal application some months ago ?

GURRRRR :mad:

I don't know what I was thinking asking if KC was contagious, of course it is ! But, since my other three have had the Nasal Bordetella, they should be ok...that's what I meant.