I have never lived in a house without pets. We always had a dog, and sometimes, parakeets, frogs, rabbits, fish, and even a gila monster. But it has mostly been dogs. My Pops bred and raised Doberman Pinschers. Our pets were usually German Shepherd. When Louis and I married, we had a toy Poodle and a Great Dane. Then he discovered Japanese Chins. My first was a female named "Nichi Kyjima O'Ra". Then there was a male, "Chisai Double Chin". A Chin mix called "Chin" and a Terrier mix called "Kilmer". Now we have a 11 y/o Rottweiler/Bull Mastiff female named "Rubi" who spends most of her days on the sofa, a 9 y/o Brussels Griffon/Jap Chin female names "Mase", and finally, the pimp of the family, a 4 lb., 3 y/o pedigreed Chin named "Raidonichi Emperor PittyPatt". Of course a pimp can't have a name like that so we call him "Cooper" after the British MiniCooper automobile and Anderson Cooper - the both have superior intelligence and impeccable pedigree!
NOTE: We lost our beloved Rubi to cancer on August 16, 2007. She'd been a part of our family since July 1997. Our vet, Dr. Otto Williams, who is also my best friend's brother, had the dog in his boarding kennel for almost 4 months. She and her mother had been abandoned by their owner. Rubi wouldn't let any of Dr. Williams' vet techs come near her cage to feed or walk her. Chicco was given a job with the animal clinic shortly after his father's death. Dr. Williams (Ricky, to me) thought that Chicco should have a diversion during the summer months so he wouldn't have to dwell so much on the loss of his father. Chicco and Rubi immediately became good friends. She let him walk her and bath her and feed her. At the end of the summer, Ricky knew that, without Chicco, he'd have to put Rubi to sleep. THE McCALLS NEVER LET ANIMALS BE PUT TO SLEEP! We are always bringing lost pets home. So when I picked up Chicco from the clinic, I picked up Rubi too. She suffered from separation anxiety after being abandoned like that. We couldn't leave her in the house alone or she's tear up sofa pillows, leather jackets, chairs, anything! Friends kept telling us that we needed to just get rid of her. But you don't get rid of a child who has behavioral problems. You love it. And that's what we did with Rubi. A year later, after obedience lessons and moving into a new home - HER home - she settled in and was the best pet and guard dog ever. We miss you, Rubi!
