I have fostered many dogs of various ages, breeds, and temperaments, all of which found incredible forever homes. My tiniest was a 10-year-old senior foster Chihuahua named Betty. I saw her sweet little face in photos and immediately felt the need to take her in.
Betty arrived at JRs Pups-N-Stuff Animal Rescue along with several other Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes. All of them had been surrendered by a breeder who no longer had a use for them.
As soon as I met Betty, I knew that the “breeder” hadn’t treated these dogs well. Betty was so skinny that I could easily see every bone in her spine. She walked with a limp, as if she had a broken leg that had never been addressed. She also had several irritated patches of skin. These conditions made her seem much older than she actually was.
Yet, despite everything, Betty was the happiest little dog. Most of the dogs I’d fostered up until that point had been nervous and hesitant when entering a new home, but Betty made herself comfortable right away. She found the biggest, fluffiest dog bed in my house and stretched out as if to claim it as her own.
The Joy of a Senior Foster Chihuahua
Most dogs that come from bad breeding situations are skittish and nervous when they first enter their foster homes. But Betty showed no signs of fear. She loved hanging out by me, and she would regularly cuddle and give kisses. She was ready to embrace a life of love.
Health-wise, the little foster Chihuahua hadn’t been properly cared for, but she seemed used to positive human interactions, which is rare in situations like hers. Sadly, some of the younger Chihuahuas she arrived with were a lot more skittish than her.
Betty was a curious little Chihuahua who loved exploring every inch of my house. Despite having a slight limp, she was fast. She would quickly hobble from one room to the next to ensure she smelled everything. She also loved walking around the neighborhood. I would usually carry her for part of the walk to make sure she didn’t overexert herself. I even carried her in a dog backpack sometimes.
The only challenge I faced with fostering Betty was potty training. I don’t know exactly what her life before being rescued was like, but it was clear that she had never been trained before. She peed wherever it was convenient, which unfortunately, often included the carpet.
Luckily, she made some potty training progress with patience. I let her out in my fenced-in yard whenever I could and rewarded her when she did her business outside. Every week, there were fewer accidents. It just goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Ready for Adventure
Throughout Betty’s time with me, she always had a sense of adventure. Sometimes, I hesitate to take foster dogs to new places if they’re nervous, but that wasn’t the case for Betty. She seemed ready for anything. I took her for walks at nearby parks and even on a camping trip.
My family owns some land up north that we camp at regularly. While I usually find another volunteer to watch foster dogs while I’m camping, I brought Betty with me. I’m happy I did. She had such a great time taking in all the new smells. The little foster Chihuahua even crawled into my sleeping bag to cuddle at night.
There’s a common misconception that senior Chihuahuas (and other senior dogs) are grumpy and lazy, but Betty put those rumors to rest. She was full of energy and seemed content no matter where we were.
Addressing Betty’s Health Conditions
Throughout Betty’s time with me, she had several vet visits to ensure she was in the best shape possible. The rescue always makes sure the dogs have up-to-date CVIs (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) before going off to their forever homes.
Unfortunately, a lot of the foster Chihuahua’s medical needs didn’t have an instant fix. Her limp will likely always be there. The vet confirmed that she had broken a bone many years ago and it had healed incorrectly, causing her leg to appear warped.
As for her weight and skin issues, a healthy, consistent diet was needed. It was something she likely hadn’t had in the past, which is what caused her to end up in such a rough shape. I had her in foster care for about two months, and she already gained a pound or two in that period. It might not sound like much, but for a 10-pound dog, one pound is a lot.
Like many fosters, Betty just needed some love and proper care to get her in shape. I knew her past would likely have lasting effects on her health, but there was still plenty that could be done to improve her well-being drastically.
Finally, a Forever Home!
Most of the foster dogs I’ve had got adopted in less than a month. Since Betty was a senior, it took her a little longer. A few families expressed interest in her, but she was usually overlooked because of her age and health. But then the perfect family came along.
A couple fell in love with Betty as soon as they saw a post I made online. They already had a larger dog, but the wife wanted a sweet little old dog too. I was hesitant at first since I wasn’t sure if Betty liked large dogs. Yet, once they met Betty, I knew it was meant to be.
Betty and the other dog peacefully ignored each other, which was a good sign. I could instantly tell how much the people adored Betty, so I knew she would be loved and cared for with them. My sweet foster Chihuahua went home a few days later, after her final health checkup.
I got an update from Betty’s adopters about a month after she went home with them, and she was already living her best life. They even got her an adorable little rain jacket so she can enjoy the outdoors without getting wet.
Because of dogs like Betty, I always remind people to consider adopting older dogs. They have so much love to give, and they deserve a comfortable home to live out their final years. Although, Chihuahuas typically live 12 to 20 years, so even a 10-year-old dog like Betty could have half their life left.
If you’re looking to add a Chihuahua to your family, don’t overlook the older ones.
