When the new baby came, he wasn’t all that thrilled.
He’s a Chihuahua, you see, and he’s the baby. That’s how it’s supposed to go.
He’s supposed to get the attention. He’s supposed to be carried around. He’s supposed to be the one Mom and Dad coo at all the time.
He’s not a fan of this tiny, sometimes-screaming human.
When Mom and Dad surrender him to the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, he’s really not happy.
Sure, he has a nice bed and water and food and the staff seem nice, but man, he’s just mad.
And, if he’s being honest, scared.
He’s 3 years old and only eight pounds. A lot of the other dogs in the shelter are way, way bigger than he is. He knows they could step on him or gobble him up in a heartbeat.
So, sometimes he growls.
Okay, maybe a lot of times he growls.
But, see, he’s a dog and it’s kind of in his nature to get grumbly if he’s scared or wants to intimidate something or someone. Even though he’s little, he’s got to sometimes pretend he’s big. It helps. It really does.
Every once in a while he acts like that with people, too.
Not all the people, though.
He has his favorites – the staff members who he thinks are pretty cool. He likes to snuggle up with them and let them carry him outside so he can do his business.
After a few weeks, he actually looks forward to seeing them.
He sometimes thinks maybe this place could give him another shot at that “happy home” he’s heard so much about.
He’s seen it happen with other dogs at the shelter. They were scared, too. They were even bigger than he was and they found a home.
They seemed pretty happy when they got their new collar and their new leash and got adopted.
Maybe there’s someone out there for him after all.
Maybe it could be someone who understands that sometimes he gets scared. And he kind of likes to be spoiled. And he’s not a real fan of children.
Heck, he might even be okay if they had another dog – as long as the dog was pretty cool.
He gives his favorite animal care technician a kiss and thinks…maybe.
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Toby is the little Chihuahua in this story and he’s looking for a home. He didn’t do well with the new baby in the home and can be a little “spicy” when he’s afraid, but we know the right home is out there for him.
He’s a cute little guy who just needs a second chance.
Could you be the maybe that he’s talking about?
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Jennifer Vanderau is the public relations coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, readers may call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
