Polite

You’ve noticed that I talk about my Chihuahuas a lot in my posts. They are part of the fabric of my family’s life. Both Lola and Chico have received in-depth posts in She’s a Lady? And Nail It Down. It’s time for you to get to know the smallest dog of the group, Rosco.

In 2009, I was dealing with the ramifications of a cancer verdict. My family was looking for a canine companion to help deal with this life challenge. We found the brothers’ photograph of Rosco (and Chico) on the Franklin County Dog Shelter website. They were cute, but the possibility of owning either one of them was not even a blip on the Kinker’s family life.

The old Franklin County Dog Shelter on Alum Creek Drive was crowded and loud (unlike the new, modern location off Morse Road). Our family looked at several dogs. The fit never seemed to be right. We decided to finally take a look at the Chihuahua brothers. (I was only interested in Rosco.)

Rosco and Chico had been separated from their combined cage. They were both healing from their neutering surgery. Soon after we arrived to view the very handsome Rosco, the brothers were united for a playful, licking love fest. It was at that moment my wife decided to have two dogs as opposed to one. She would not separate these two. (Bobbi’s insight has proved to be a correct one over the years.)

Years later, my wife decided obedience training at our local pet store would be a great idea. Rosco and Chico together constituted a lot of tugging and pulling them into obedience. Chico was more manageable than the ferocious Rosco. He felt it was his duty to let the black Labrador Retriever next to him the his manhood was being threatened. Bobbi overheard a woman state to someone her dog was having nerve with her dog eveytime class occurred because of Rosco. Eventually both dogs were demoted to private training lessons. That didn’t last long. The things that were partially learned were “leave it, stay, and sit.”

If any dog has multiple personalities, it would be Rosco. One minute he is so shy that he can hardly stand looking at you, or he might just ball up in submission (or terror).

Unlike our others a dog, Rosco looks up as if he is asking for permission to come in from the outside. (Neither Chico or Lola do this.) Hours later, you might find Rosco in a vicious bloody fight with Chico, or being protective of someone (or something) as he growls and shows his five teeth.

Rosco has a unique way of running that I can’t describe, but is endearing to me. I love his lovely ears that resemble translucent bat wings. His nose looks like a tiny pig snout. No matter what emotion Rosco is feeling his tail loudly thumps it.

Rosco loves to sit and sunbath on the back porch like a proper gentleman. He gets watery eyes (from dog hair I joke). When Rosco kisses my family on our noses (or even the lips) with his tongue, we understand his love he is trying to transfer to us in the only way he knows possible.

 Rosco’s breath (includes the tongue) are putrid to the point of gagging. Against Rosco’s will, he is often thrown in wrestling matches with his more energetic sister, Lola.  These bouts are more fun for Lola than Rosco. They exhaust him as he bravely defends himself from a female canine tornado. Lola’s mouth and paws are everywhere on Rosco. (It’s a fact that Lola loves Rosco.)

It means a lot to me to know Rosco has lovingly been there for all the up’s and down’s of my daughter’s existence since he has lived with us. I think the time Rosco and Allena are together is a deep connection that doesn’t require words. Rosco’s ears even go straight back, and bend up at the tips (leprechaun style) when the word, “Allena” is spoken in his presence. (This is his way of mentally preparing for my daughter.)

Whenever I have to take Rosco away from Allena for food or bathroom time, he usually turns his head back to make sure she is fine before he leaves. (I always assure him it is OK to go.)

Rosco has one bottom tooth that comes out over his bottom lip. In addition to this being cute, we have a whole bunch of clothes we love Rosco to dress up in for our amusement, (and sometimes for his warmth in the harsh Ohio winters).

Do you have someone that loves you more than life itself-human or animal? Do you have someone you could love that way? Be the type of person that sacrifices your convenience for the good of others. You can achieve this. As I have stated before, the feeling you get from giving to others is addictive.