Hi everyone, it’s me Calvin, the oldest Paws Give Me Purpose senior Sanctuary resident at 21 years of age. In fact, it seems I may even be the world’s oldest living Chihuahua. I am waiting to hear back from the Guinness Book of World Records about that. I just wanted to pop in and let you know how I have been doing.
For those not familiar with my story, I am a senior gentleman rescued from a life of extreme criminal neglect. I was just one of over 200 animals rescued from a hoarding situation by the Houston Texas Humane Society’s Animal Cruelty Task Force. Despite the life of cruelty I have endured, I am loving, sweet, and really enjoy attention.
My arrival here at Paws Give Me Purpose was challenging both medically and behaviorally. I have a serious heart murmur, I am not neutered, have no teeth or bottom jaw at all. I also have bilateral nuclear sclerosis (hazy, cloudy eyes), was covered in fleas, had overgrown nails, and urine stained fur.
Thankfully, I have received the expert medical care I always needed and deserved. I am feeling pretty good these days; especially for a dog my age. I am enjoying homemade meals, treats, and taking my senior supplements like a champ. I love playing in the yard with the other tiny breeds and belly rubs are one of my favorite things. In fact, I am just starting to live my puppyhood, which is something I really missed out on. As the saying goes “age is just a number”.
Behaviorally, I like things on my own terms and will let you know when I want to be picked up or pet. Even without a jaw or teeth, if I don’t want to be bothered or like what you are doing (like grooming me) I will try to bite you. I guess it’s because it’s not really something I am used to; but I do behave pretty well in the bath. I do like to soak in the oatmeal bubbles. I am now a very pampered pooch.
I also arrived here food aggressive; and had to be fed separated even from my own brother. You see in our previous life, we had to fight for what little food there was, so we really never learned how to behave around food and treats. But who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? I have now learned that there is always enough food and we are fed on a schedule making me feel so secure that I now eat together in the same area as all the other small breed seniors.
After just one lesson, I have also mastered using a doggie ramp to get on and off the couch in the senior center so I don’t hurt my old joints by jumping. I have been told I am very smart; and I have to agree.
I also happen to think I’m hot stuff and flirt with all the ladies, both canine and human. I do have one little girlfriend here, Angel. She is also a Chihuahua. We have this love hate relationship where we pretend to hate each other but secretly I’m in love and just want to cuddle by her side. Shhh don’t tell, it’s a secret.
I really love my life here at Paws Give Me Purpose. I am enjoying my golden years to the fullest and am very spoiled. They treat every dog here with excellent care, compassion and love. They have promised to provide me with a safe and loving environment for the rest of my life and I am really grateful they saved me and my brother Hobbes. I hate to think of what would have happened to us if they hadn’t come to our rescue; no one else wanted to take us. I am so thankful they heard the shelter’s plea for us and brought us to their Sanctuary. It was a long trip, but it was so worth it!
Sadly, dogs my age and condition have little opportunities sitting in a shelter. Paws Give Me Purpose has given me a second chance to have the life I should have had all along. I am thoroughly enjoying being loved and spoiled by everyone here at Paws Give Me Purpose. I am learning what it is truly like to be loved – and for that I am eternally grateful.