One Year Ago Today...

This special guy came into our lives:

He wasn't always the happy, loving dog you see here. When we first met Mr. Chow (jokingly named for a chain of fast-food restaurants in the Bay Area and the fact he is likely part chow chow), he had a broken leg. Here's how he looked when I met him at the emergency vet:

So sad and scared. He's come a long way in a year (you can read more about him here). He's now a bona fide member of the family. Smooch tolerates him most of the time, and Giles the cat not only comes in the house, he often walks right by Chow to do it. (Really, that's huge!) Chow is taking obedience lessons (he has sit down!) and he's getting more and more socialized.

He's taught me so much about courage, overcoming obstacles and persistence (he'll get Smooch to play with him one of these days). He's just a big, goofy, clumsy, happy boy. Every dog deserves a second chance.

Pet Profiles: Mr. Chow

I have three dogs. I can't believe I have three dogs. What the heck was I thinking?

Over the years we've had an assortment of pets, some briefly until we found them permanent homes, some inherited from family members. The most we've had is five at one time, and never more than two dogs at once. In fact, two dogs and a cat is the perfect pet ratio in my book.

Then came Mr. Chow.

It was a Saturday in mid-May and Erik had gone fishing on the coast. I was expecting him home any time with a big box of strawberries. Then the phone rang. "I found a big dog with a broken leg," Erik said. "Meet me at the emergency vet."

And that's how I met Mr. Chow. Of course we tried to find his owners—postings online, in the newspaper, on mailboxes in the neighborhood near the area where he was wandering. Nothing. I really can't believe no one is missing him. He's 60 pounds of love and happiness. I'm over the moon for him.

Mr. Chow and Bitsy

The same can't be said for all the other critters here. Giles refuses to come in the house anymore (I think that will change when the weather turns, if not sooner), and Smooch, who prefers female dogs, insists on demonstrating his dominance, despite the 40 or so pounds Chow has on him. So far Mr. Chow has let the little dog have his way. Bitsy is pretty easy going and only gets upset when she thinks Chow is getting her share of the snacks. She yaps and he backs off. What a good boy!

It's taking time, but we're slowing getting into a new routine. And now that his leg is just about healed, I can start taking him to obedience classes. I'm also looking forward to walking with him by the river—he seems like the kind of dog to take on long walks.