Pancho's Dog Tale

Pancho was the pet we never meant to have. We found him alone and scared on a country road shivered, too afraid to come to us and too afraid for us to leave. We would beg him, he would come closer and then run away. Finally I told W who from now on will be called Gator (better than being a letter!) we had to leave; Pancho came running and jumped into Gator’s arms. It was if he knew we were his last hope.

We all thought Pancho was somebody’s beloved dog, but he wasn’t. After calling the local vet, checking all the ads it was clear Pancho had been dumped. What the dirty secret about the country is city people that don’t want a dog for some reason think dumping a dog on the side of the road to fend for itself is not cruel. Hubby has had to put down many dogs, because you cannot feed every stray, and it is cruel for them to starve to death. Out the country, there is no dogcatcher, no sweet kind vet who will euthanize a dog for nothing. It is the best option out of a cruel life. Since Pancho was a non-neutered male, we felt they dumped him on purpose.


When we first brought Pancho home, I held him. I cleaned him up with a wash clothe, he was shivering a lot that first day. He needed a bath but he was in such shock I felt he was best just wiped off and snuggled. What poor Pancho went through that night alone in the country we all can only imagine. I know from raising goats Pancho is perfect size for owl food, anything that cannot run fast at any time can be picked up and carried off. Pancho didn’t bark or really even cry that first day, he was so timid and meek. For a Chihuahua, that is unusual behavior. I grew up with a Chihuahua and I still have the scars to prove it. They tend to be aggressive and very protective of one owner. I could not hug my mother without the dog biting at me.

Pancho slowly began to trust us, especially me. Somehow, dogs understand that a Mommy feeds those in need. Dunk wanted no part of Pancho, he had been out of town and when he came home, Pancho didn’t fit his mold of a truck loving riding dog. Little did Dunk know Pancho is a best truck-riding dog we have!

Gator wanted to keep him, and Sconicle well he just wanted a dog any dog. The person we couldn’t figure out was Hubby. He is not a housedog friendly person, and I had already said no to the rat terrier. Pancho had to be a housedog. Much to all of our surprise Pancho bonded with Hubby right away. Everyday Pancho’s favorite time is when Hubby comes home. By the end of the week, Pancho was settled in. We had not found the owners. Dunk had done a 180 on Pancho and regularly took Pancho riding with him. Pancho was a Don Juan type of Chihuahua, he loves everyone he thinks they all adore his fine physique. After watching the boys and Hubby with Pancho, I gave up my resistance. I said I would allow the other rat terrier puppy to come in to. Pancho and Lefty would grow old together like a great country western song.

Now we as a family cannot imagine our life before Pancho and Lefty.

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