(Dam: Kamelrose Judy in Disguise "Judy" with her female puppies right after they were born May 27, 2006: one smooth coat white puppy with red sable; one long coat red sable with white markings; and one fawn with white markings. Sire: Tinypaw's K'Rose Buckaroo "Bucky".)
(Kamelrose WhisperLily "Whisp" , fawn with white markings female tiny female Chihuahua. Photo taken June 13, 2006)
(Whisp, 1 lb 8 oz dressed in her xxxxs lilac "In Training" vest. Photo taken August 21, 2006)Service Dog or Therapy Dog (?)
Whisp came to her forever home here in MN when she was 11 weeks and 2 days old. Her breeder did a wonderful job socializing this little doggie as well as keeping her with her mother "Judy" and litter mates to learn the valuable life long, all important dog communication skills.
Whisp went with her litter mates, after their first vaccinations to the grooming shop where the breeder works as well as "field" trips to a nursing home and a child day care center. Her mother "Judy" also showed her puppies about toileting outside as well as running and playing in the grass.
This is a tiny Chihuahua that is full of energy, lithe little strong bodied, feisty, bold, inquisitive, very smart baby. I am hoping that she will mature to at least 3#s. Whisp has made her self quite at home here in my existing pack (Rain the 90#, 2.5 year old female dobie; SmokeyHaze the 13#, 7 year old male mini Schnauzer; and Cally the 6#, soon to be 9 year old female Chihuahua).
Although Rain thinks that she is a Chihuahua as Cally was her role model, she is much too big to play with Whisp at this age. Rain will lie on the floor and let Whisp climb on her or jump over her front extended legs or Rain will lie on the couch and watch Cally and Whisp play. Rain is very gentle and watches out for little Whisp when I call for them all to go outside and Whisp just scoots between Rain's legs as if they were young tree trunks...Rain stays in the house as the three littler dogs head out. I am afraid in her enthusiasm Rain would accidently trample little Whisp as Whisp isn't old enough to know to side step Rain's rush as Cally has.
Cally is greatly enjoying Whisp both as a tiny Chihuahua playmate, her first, but also one to nurture and guide and show the world that exists in and out of the house. When Whisp startles by a sudden loud noise in the alley or in the house she quickly looks to Cally who is solid and calm and goes about as if there was no startling sound. This helps Whisp learn that these sudden sounds are nothing to worry about.
Since Whisp joined my family I have continued with her socialization, in this all important first 16 weeks of life. I made a pouch for Whisp to ride in close against my chest and she is very inquisitive on our daily outings. She is very friendly and outgoing, wagging her tail and licking any and all folks she meets. I think she even likes zooming along in the wheelchair, as she is far too tiny and mentally immature to learn to walk along side, with the wind blowing her ears. When we get home, after a drink of water and a little lunch plus a trip outside to relieve herself, she goes happily into her crate for a several hour nap. Whisp also walks along side me, for the short distances I can still walk, quietly on a loose leash.
As I did with Rain, Whisp is now "dressed" when she leaves the house on her socialization outings. This is to help her learn that when she is "dressed" she is working and when she is naked, at home, she is a puppy. Whisp watches with great interest and anticipation as I "dress" Rain. I have learned that I need to dress Whisp before Rain as Whisp gets way to happy wiggly to get her "dressed" in her little 'In Training' vest as she knows we are heading out on a new adventure.
Today Sept 4, 2006 Whisp reached a mile stone. She went up the outside wooden deck steps to the wheelchair landing for the first time. My little girl is growing up :)
For more about Whisp and her progress see Whisp's blog.
