Chikoo, My pet-sitting experience with a 16-week-old Havanese
Not every animal adventure is a story. Sometimes it’s simply a character sketch. Chikoo, a 16-week-old Havanese, provided more than enough material for one.
My pet-sitting experience with a 16-week-old Havanese.
Despite being a dog for only sixteen weeks, Chikoo presents himself as a seasoned elder unwilling to admit he has no idea what he’s doing.
He even has the old-man appearance with a scruff of grey whiskers on his brown shaggy face.
He stared at me questionably as I reached out my arms to receive him from his family. He glanced quickly back at his family and looked up at me.
I received instructions on his care. They brought his toys and food, and his sleeping crate. They said he would likely sleep most of the day. (this was not what happened)
His family said he only wants to eat one time, later in the afternoon.
Then the day was a series of Chikoo navigating the new space and trying to prove he knew what he was doing.
“Are you my new Mommy? I don’t care. Let’s play.”
“This is my ball. (it wasn’t)
“Throw it. I’ll show you my fetching moves”
“Good throw! Here I go!”
“Slippers!!!”
“I prefer to eat now….and then all the time.”
“I can wave both front paws in the air at the same time”
“Well, I did it once.”
“I can climb the stairs. Wait…those are stairs?”
“I’ve tumbled off a couch before, and I always land like this.”
“If it’s on the floor it is to be snorkeled.”
I often trip over invisible things and do faceplants. You should really consider sweeping more often.”
“Don’t touch me.”
“Pick me up.”
“Your ankles are delicious.”
“I think I can fit your entire hand in my mouth.”
“Whaddya mean, “Ouch”
“I don’t want to nap”
“Throwing my toy in my bed crate will not fool me.”
“That’s my toy! Wait here! I’ll get it!”
“Hey, not fair. I am not tired.”
“Open the door. I AM NOT TIRED.”
“Yappity, yap yap, Yappity yap”
“Zzzzzzzzzzz.”
Chikoo was picked up by his family later that day. They reported back to me that he seemed more tired than usual.
Yeah, me too.
If Chikoo teaches us anything, it’s that charging enthusiastically into life without a complete understanding of what’s going on can sometimes work out just fine.
