Tuesday's Tails: Beau and Chachi

Update:  Beau and Chachi are, sadly, still up for adoption after more than a year.  These 11-year-olds are far too sweet to live the rest of their lives in a shelter...and they have only grown sweeter with age.  Beau is all kisses, and Chachi never turns down a belly rub!

Beau and Chachi arrived at the Humane Society of North Iowa in August of last year.  I was working customer service with a few other employees the day they were brought in by the local veterinarian.  "They're really sweet dogs," she said, setting the two carriers down on the counter.  "They're older, and they've got some health problems, but they're very friendly."  I peeked in at the small black dog, whose back legs were badly bowed.  "Yeah, his legs are super bowed, but he seems to walk just fine.  We've been calling him 'Bow' because of it," the vet continued, smiling.

"Have you named the Pomeranian yet?" I looked inside at the wiggling mass of light brown fur.

She hadn't, and when I filled out their feeding sheets, I wrote "Beau" (not wanting to have confused customers calling him Bow, as in Bow-Wow) and "Chachi," because, though Chachi is a female, I just thought the name fit her and her spunky personality.  I wondered why the two dogs had been brought in for surrender by a vet and not the owner.

"Their owner passed away," the woman told us.  "They think these dogs were left there for about a week before they found him."

(photo courtesy of HSNI and Arickx Photography)

Chachi is a 10-year-old female Pomeranian.  She has put on some poundage since this photo was taken, but that just means there's more of her to love!  Chachi loves her food and treats, and though she may be up there in age, this girl can play.  She doesn't show much interest in toys, but every once in a while, she'll catch your eye with the funniest little side-eyed glance and bark at you - this is her signal for I want to play! or Pet me now!  Chachi, being an older gal, has some health problems typical of her age and breed; however, there's a lot of life left in this sweetheart. 

(photo courtesy of HSNI and Arickx Photography)

Beau is a 10-year-old male Miniature Pinscher who loves absolutely everyone.  He, too, enjoys food and treats (but who doesn't?!), and he is always quick to compete with Chachi for your attention.  He will jump right up on your lap - bowed legs be darned - and beg you for scratches behind the ears with his adorable old-man grin.  Beau is the sweetest of the sweet, and he deserves to spend his golden years in a warm home with someone to rub his belly!

Beau and Chachi (though often "competitors" for food or affection) are best friends - one cannot be adopted without the other.  They went through the traumatic experience of their owner's death together and shouldn't have to be separated after something like that.  This, combined with their age, makes people consistently pass them by.  Why, people tend to think, would I want to adopt a dog that won't live for very long?  My answer is:  Because old dogs are the best dogs, and because they need a home where they can happily spend their remaining years.  Beau and Chachi are pretty lively for 10-year-old dogs; they have a lot of life left to live.  

When I worked at the shelter, it broke my heart to watch as people considered Beau and Chachi, but then changed their mind once they saw a puppy or a dog that appealed to them more.  These two have been in there for long enough; does anyone with a big heart have room for these two?  

(Please disregard the lovely expression on my face...and focus on the love these two have to give :)  Beau was in the middle of giving me puppy kisses while Chachi gave me her side-eyed grin!)

Contact the Humane Society of North Iowa if you have questions about Beau and Chachi or are interested in adopting them.  Thank you so much for reading.  <3