Thank you for helping me find them a new home that is so wonderful, they will forget all about me.
It’s a situation you hope never to find yourself in. I met these two sharp-looking gents at Petco, accompanied by their owner, Susan. We had Josie with us, and so of course we got to talking. Susan was diagnosed with MS last March. Then, a month ago, she had a stroke that went undiagnosed at the emergency room. Unable to work, she’s living on disability, which doesn’t cover rent, and staying in other people’s homes. Susan needs to live with family (who are out of state) and get the medical help she needs, but she’s determined to find good homes for her dogs first. The quote at the top is from her.
Mojo, the Chihuahua on the right, has been through shelters three times and subsequently abandoned, twice in the snow. He’s understandably scarred by the experience, and Susan doesn’t want to put him through it again. Below are their descriptions, from Susan herself. To be honest, reading them surprised me, because Jake and Mojo came to our house and were adorable, affectionate little gentlemen with Josie and myself (and Josie was pretty provoking at first) but Susan said that’s because the house is calm and I understand little dogs. I think she’s afraid someone will adopt them and then send them to a shelter if they decide they aren’t “perfect.” Jake and Mojo are in Boulder, Colorado.
At my house, getting treats with Josie O.
Jake sits up. He also waves, rolls over, and does “inside voice.”
From Susan
Jake (Chihuahua/Jack Russell terrier, five years old):
He is a rescue that I have had for five years. He is a very sweet, good natured boy, loves to take walks, have his belly rubbed, go on car rides, and loves to go to Petsmart and McGuckins. He loves to play with his stuffed lamb and play hide and seek around the house or yard. He is very shy and super sensitive to new situations and sounds and can get overwhelmed easily. Never yell, just talk quietly and stay calm and give him positive feedback and he will calm down. He is very smart and curious and learns new things very quickly. He even knows, ‘inside voice’. He loves the outdoors and does well on medium sized walks if it isn’t too hot or cold. He would also be a great agility dog.
He needs to have an outside space. He is very visual and spends hours watching the world go by or patrolling the yard or just sitting on a chair or on his blanket in the sun. He needs a backyard and someone at home most of the day. He should never be left in a kennel all day while you work or left inside alone all day.
When you do leave him home alone, he is very good. He doesn’t chew on anything or pee or poop in the house. He will sit on the bed or in his kennel napping until you come home. He isn’t a barker and will be quiet. His kennel door is always left open. It is his safe place and he will go into it when he needs some quiet time.
He is calm and easy going most of the time although he does have some ‘issues’. He was attacked years ago and can be dog aggressive. So he cannot go to the dog park and must be monitored when greeting new dogs. He either loves a dog right away or wants to attack it. There is no in between. He does better with females, especially white fluffy ones. Not good with medium or large dogs. He can be food and treat aggressive so I feed the dogs apart from one another and never leave them unattended with treats.
He should not be around small children. He gets excited and can jump up and nip, or run around and nip at their heels. A calm child 12 years old or older might be okay.
Jake needs to get out and walk twice a day. It doesn’t have to be a long one. He is used to a good 30 minute walk in the morning and another walk later in the day. He is quiet around the house in between his walks and is not hyper. He likes to sit on a chair and look out a window or out in the yard pacing around. He cannot be in a condo or apartment where there is no fenced yard. Never let Jake off leash unless in a fenced yard. He will run away if he gets scared, and he is fast.
He is so charming and loves the ladies. He sleeps at the end of the bed covered in his blankies and comforter or in his kennel. He can only sleep covered up, a chihuahua thing. Jake often slips away during the day to take a nap away from me and Mojo. He likes his alone time. He even puts himself to bed around 7:00. He loves his bed, it is his safe place along with his kennel.
Jake is a very gentle eater, never over eats, you can leave kibble out all day and he will only eat what he needs. He is also a gentleman when you give him treats, he has a soft touch and will not grab or bite you. But beware, he will attack another dog that gets too close to him and his food or treat.
The positives outweigh his negatives. Please think about giving Jake a great home, you won’t regret it!
Jake and Dogs: Questionable. It depends on the dog. He loves some dogs, usually the same size. But he also is aggressive to dogs. He has always loved Mojo and has other dog friends but is very on guard and ready to attack other dogs due to being attacked when young. So, see how he reacts from a safe distance, you will know. If his tail wags it’s okay, otherwise he will bark.
Jake and Cats: He likes to chase them but can learn to leave them alone. If you have a cat that likes dogs they may become good friends. Otherwise, no cats if you don’t want to do the training.
Jake and Children: Would recommend only older children. He has nipped at toddlers and children that move too fast to pet him. Monitor him with children at all times just in case.
Mojo, (Chihuahua, 6 years old, deaf):
Mojo is another rescue who has been with me almost two years. Mojo had a tough life before I found him. He was dumped three times by former owners, both times in the winter and left to fend for himself. When I got him he had no hair on his ears, was emaciated and terrified. It took me days before he would even let me touch him. I found out he was deaf but it just adds to his charm.
Mojo is a ‘Velcro’ dog. He must be around you or with you or see you at all times due to being dumped out in the cold three times. He is the best cuddle buddy you could ever have. Mojo just wants to be with his human all day, every day at every moment. He has severe separation anxiety. So it is a must that he goes to a home with another tiny dog to keep him feeling safe or a home where a husband and wife could keep him from being alone. He howls like a coyote if left unattended and will do it for hours. He is so afraid he is going to be dumped again and who can blame him. He will also dig out of a kennel and is a master at escape. When he is left at home with Jake, he just sits on the bed with Jake and waits.
If I have to leave him alone without Jake, he screams, scratches at the door, and can hurt himself trying to get out to find me. So if he needs to be left home alone once in a while, I suggest getting a strong kennel that is large and can lock and one he can’t chew or dig out of. Or, get dog gates and leave him in an area that can be closed off with his blanket.
Because he is deaf, he panics if he can’t see you or know where you are. When I first got him I put him on a leash and kept him walking with me everywhere, around the house, outside, even into the bathroom, for two weeks until he got the rhythm of the household. I also held him on my lap and carried him the first two weeks until he was out of shock. In the beginning he will need someone to take the time and do the same to make him feel safe. He needs touch and a visual connection to feel safe. He still sits in the bathroom when I take a shower.
After a month he came out of his shell and started to sit with Jake instead of me and relaxed into the routine of the home. He would sit on the couch and watch me instead of always needing to be at my side. He went out on the deck with Jake and hung out, coming in occasionally to check on me but got over his fears. He became pretty brave and would run around the yard and charge head first on our walks.
In the beginning, when I took him outside, I had to hold him, then put him down for a short period until he panicked and then carry him again. It didn’t take long for him to get his confidence back and walk like a big boy. I recommend always harnessing Mojo and Jake. If you put a leash on their collar it could hurt their necks if they pull.
Mojo has become a very secure and proud little pup, curious to go to stores, ride in the car and visit friends. But since I lost my home and have had to move multiple times, he is regressing and is a bit fearful again. He will need a lot of extra attention once he leaves me, don’t give up on him, he will blossom if you go the extra mile for him. Give him love, hold him and he will get his mojo back. That is why he got the name, he needed to find his mojo!
He is so adorable, funny, silly and so lovable. He is a little sprite that loves life once he feels safe and just makes me laugh. He chases leaves, bugs, birds and dances in a circle. He is a very happy little boy, and so handsome.
Warning: Never let him off leash, he will run after anything that moves, a leaf, a squirrel, bird etc. And you can’t call him back because he can’t hear you. If he gets scared, he also runs, very fast and is hard to catch and he can get hit by a car very easily.
He would do well in a home were someone is home all the time or be with another tiny dog. But never left home alone. He loves to play and run through the house. Also, no cats, he will attack them viciously. I found out the hard way. . .
He is food obsessive, he spends every waking hour looking for food on the ground so you must be careful that you don’t drop anything or leave anything on the ground that could make him sick. He eats really fast, loves everything so be careful he is monitored with his food so he doesn’t turn into a fat sausage dog!
Most important of all, Mojo sleeps in bed with me and loves to have a body next to his to feel safe. So, whoever takes him I hope they will allow him in the bed. He won’t take no for an answer and surprisingly he never gets in the way. It just works.
Mojo can only be re-homed with another tiny dog. He likes dogs but gets overwhelmed by larger ones when they play, so no dog park for him either. He can be aggressive at times while on walks and pull and bark at other dogs, so just monitor him. At other times he is fine.
Although Mojo is tiny at 8 pounds, he loves to walk and run a bit and loves being outdoors. Jake and Mojo love walking Wonderland Lake and other great trails in Boulder. But beware of them around other dogs, keep other dogs away. They are too small and may bark and act aggressive which might make a larger dog attack them. They can’t do any damage but can cause another dog to hurt them.
Mojo and Dogs: Questionable. He likes some dogs but is aggressive with others. It all depends on the dogs energy, and only small ones should be introduced. No big or medium dogs. He and Jake hit it off immediately and have only had about three fights in two years, usually over treats.
Mojo and Cats: No, he is very aggressive and attacks them. Also no to rabbits, or any small mammals, he will eat them!
Mojo and Children: Not recommended, he can be aggressive. Older calmer children might be okay, one that knows how to be around a small dog and be gentle and quiet.
I could go on forever about them. They really are wonderful companions once you get the routine down. They walk really well together on a leash, and are basically good dogs.
Jake will never pee or poop in the house unless you leave him home too long. Mojo hates cold and wet weather. It is a struggle to get him outside in inclement weather and occasionally he has run back into the house and peed or pooped. I keep him on a leash and keep him out until he does his business. Jake will always let you know when he needs to go, he will go to the door to remind you. Mojo walks around in a fast scurry looking for a place to pee, that is your signal to get him out. Normally I take them out ever two to three hours and we don’t have any mistakes. I take them out around eight at night before bedtime and they sleep through the night. I take them out the minute they get up.
They are healthy and have all of the necessary shots etc. I have copies of all of their records. They have no health issues at all, are neutered and had their teeth cleaned last summer. They are low maintenance dogs once you understand them and their peculiarities.
Please help me find a good home for them. It breaks my heart and soul to give them up but I have serious health issues and now no home. I pray they will find a home where they will be happy and safe and thrive. They deserve only good and most of all they deserve a stable safe home where they feel loved and adored.
(303) 253-4218 Susan Woodcock
suzuwoods@gmail.com
Again, these dogs are in Boulder, Colorado.
Please share this post with anyone suitable.
UPDATE: Susan has to go into the hospital, so I’m taking the pups for a few days, until someone wants them or I can find a suitable no-kill shelter. Till then, I’ll be keeping them away from the cat.
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