Bates was found with a group of tiny dogs at a gas station. It was very apparent they had been dumped there all together. They were hairless, underweight, had a litany of medical ailments - some had massive tumors, etc - they all looked and felt terrible! The shelter vets deemed them QOL (quality of life) euthanasia candidates. With the help of another rescue who sees the heart and not the body as the most important factor, we stepped in to help. We figured if we could give them just a day out of the shelter to feel loved before crossing the rainbow bridge, it was worth it.
We took Bates and his momma, Norma to whom he was CLEARLY bonded.
Immediately it was apparent these two were not ready to lay down and die. They were full of life and very loving! We had four good months with them together before Norma - who we estimated to be 16 years old - developed CHF that couldn't be managed with medications. It was an extremely tearful goodbye. We weren't sure how Bates would cope with losing her but incredibly, the loss didn't break him. He became his own man, in fact. He branched out and began to play with his foster siblings, explore the yard without fretting about his momma it was as if a self-appointed burden had been lifted and he no longer felt the heavy weight of worry.
It's been a couple of months now and Bates has settled into his new routine. He's an extremely quirky little dude but his life's work has become how to scootch in next to whomever to be touched and pet and snuggled. As a chihuahua dachshund, Bates is quick to tell you when something is off. His bark sounds like he's trying and almost succeeding in saying human words! He knows his name but won't come to save his life. He's kind of like the ghosts in Mario Bros who stop when you look at them but approach you eagerly when your back is turned. Just silly!
Vaccinations up to date, spayed / neutered.