When we drop Paco off, the breeder’s asked for some notes, of anything we think she should know about his likes, dislikes, and habits. I wrote the following:
NOTES ON PACO
Meals
Paco doesn’t seem to have much of an appetite in the mornings. We usually leave him about half a cup or so of biscuits, which he may or may not nibble on during the day. He is usually quite hungry by dinner time (between 5:30 – 6pm). He usually eats half a 185g can of Excellence brand food, or a whole serve of MyDog (100g). We give him raw roo meat a couple of times a week, which he loves. It goes without saying that he loves any treats – liver treats, Schmackos, and all the assorted doggy treats, and he also likes fruit like banana, orange and cherries!
Toilet
At home we make sure we let Paco out several times a day and he usually goes outdoors. He does occasionally go indoors as well but he does this on newspaper in the laundry. He is pretty well toilet-trained! Sometimes when we visit other people he tries to mark their furniture, so we usually watch him like a hawk when we’re out and about. He does have a bad habit of occasionally eating his poo… We try and stop him when we notice him sniffing it!
Exercise
At home we try and walk Paco everyday for around 40 minutes – as much to exercise ourselves as to exercise him. He loves his walks and enjoys meeting other dogs when we arrive at the dog park near our home.
Toys
Paco loves balls and playing fetch. He also loves chewing bones – we give him his Nylabone (this is his second one, the first one was very well chewed!) and occasionally smoked bones from the pet shop, which he adores.
Obedience
Paco knows how to sit – he will sit if you hold up a treat – and will lie down if you gesture “down” towards the floor. However he doesn’t always come when you call, especially if there are other dogs around and he would rather play! He doesn’t see the point of other ‘tricks’!
Sleep
Paco likes nothing better than to sleep in bed with his humans, however he will go to his bed if you point to it and say “bed”.
M reckons it’s a bit “gushy”. You think?
Happiness
Originally uploaded by Constance Wiebrands.
When you live with a dog you are constantly being reminded of how to enjoy yourself, how to find pleasure in simple things, and how to make the most of every moment.
This picture shows Paco enjoying a bone on his new futon, a gift from jl (thanks again, jl!). Paco’s joy is just wonderful to see - and it doesn’t take much to evoke joy in him. Just give him a new bone, a toy, or play with him, or take him on an outing or a walk, or have visitors, or visit someone (especially if they have a dog too), and he is so happy he could burst.
When he is sad he shows it immediately and unequivocally, and yet he doesn’t sulk or hold grudges. He gets over it quickly, forgives wholeheartedly and loves completely.
Am I anthropomorphising? Maybe, but so what? Paco is very good for me.
Paco was born a year ago today! According to the breeder, his father (sire) is Australian Champion Reynosa Twig Ridgejones, his mother (dam) Sebdah Annabelle. Despite being 100% chihuahua, he wasn’t registered, but we do have his history - we even know he has a brother Sebdah Daniel Ridge.
M and Paco
We’ve become very attached to our little Paco. He is very affectionate and loves being with us. Paco is not shy and loves people (even children) and will go up to anyone he meets, to say hello. He also adores other dogs, no matter how big they are. Apart from playing with other dogs, Paco also enjoys walks and fetching balls.
Transfixed
Paco has learned to sit and lie down on command, however he can be very willful and doesn’t always obey. Sometimes you can see him trying to decide whether it’s worth sitting or not ( “do you have a treat for me if I sit?”).
Thankfully, Paco is not particularly yappy, in that he never barks at people. He’s no good as a guard dog; when someone comes to the door, he rushes to see who it is and just waits there excitedly until the door is open, so he can greet them with licks and requests for pats. Paco loves visitors! While he doesn’t bark at people, he does however love joining in the canine chorus - almost all our neighbours have dogs, and all it takes is one of them to start barking, and Paco will happily join in. Sometimes, Paco’s the one who gets them all going! He has a surprisingly deep bark for his size.
Looking
Originally uploaded by Constance Wiebrands.
See the little tooth poking out of Paco’s bottom lip? I think that’s the reason he wasn’t registered - his appearance is less than “perfect” so he would never have made it as a showdog. I think he’s now also too big for the showring - he’s 3.4kg, quite a bit heavier than the preferred 2.7kg (yes, he’s HUGE! Heh). Despite this, we think he’s perfect, of course!
