Chica

 A while back we added a dog to our inventory of house pets. We took on a foster dog, because ... well because she needed a good home. 

In the first year of her life the dog was mistreated and abused just about all the time. When she came of age she pregnant by a neighbors dog and because her owners didn't want the responsibility the pups were destroyed at birth. The young thing was an emotional mess when it was surrendered to us, but we wanted to give her a home that wasn't dangerous. We wanted to separate her as much as possible from her past so that meant giving her a new name to go with her new life. Since her name started with "ch" we tried to replicate the sound and called her "Chica". And she has rapidly lived up to her new name of "sister".

Chica is a mixed breed, about 10 pounds and is getting a chance to live the puppy life she never had before, when she goes outside she bounces and wants to run with the other dogs until she becomes too tired to run and just wants to rest on the porch. She has escaped the yard a couple of times, but doesn't go far and hangs around waiting for us to ring the dinner bell. For the record the escape routes have all been identified and neutralized.

Chica has only one problem, but it's one of grave concern to our feline family. She thinks that cats are play toys and what can be more fun than chasing them and trying to get them to play with her. Growls, hisses, arched backs and bared claws across the nose are not impediments to her urge to play with the cats. Needless to say the cats are not impressed and we keep reminding ourselves that Chica is a foster dog and that she will soon find her forever home. Hopefully, one without cats.

Life without pets would be empty and dull, and we delight in our pets. They give us respect and attention and make our days "interesting" and without them we would be empty.