A Pink Chihuahua Puppy Grabs Hearts and Finds a New Home

You'd think that someone who lost a pink dog would look for her, but you'd be wrong.

When the Powers That Be sent out this story from their secret lair at Dogster HQ, I have to admit that my first thought was, "How do you lose a pink puppy?" Even in the Bay Area, where formal attire for an evening might consist of leather shorts, boots, and strategically placed electrical tape, a puppy that's been dyed hot pink will attract attention. There just aren't so many of them around here that one will blend in easily.

The dog in question is a two-month-old Chihuahua, which was found in East Palo Alto last week. She wasn't tagged or chipped, and an X-ray showed that her right back leg had a hairline fracture. The Peninsula Humane Society in San Mateo said that the fracture could easily have happened jumping down from a large couch or someone accidentally stepping on her, and that it wasn't necessarily a sign of abuse. The staff named her Candy, and, despite having her hair washed, she stayed pink.

"This is a little more unusual than your usual stray dog because the dog had an injury and the dog was dyed," Director Scott Delucchi said. "It shows some level of care and attachment that someone went to the trouble to do that. You would think that someone who would show that level of attachment would look for their dog."

But based on the story of Candy, more dogs might want to think pink in order to get rehomed. The press release about Candy went out yesterday morning, and by the evening, she had a new home. According to the society's website, the response was overwhelming. "We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for and interest in Candy, receiving more than 100 voicemail messages before her story aired on all stations or appeared in print media," they wrote. "We've selected a home for her, a fantastic home. We apologize that we may not be able to return all calls. We trust that people will understand and -- even though they weren't chosen -- take some comfort in knowing Candy will have a wonderful, permanent home."

But in the meantime, the Peninsula Humane Society has 30 more non-pink Chihuahuas still waiting for homes.

"They aren't two-month-old puppies dyed pink," the site says, "but we consider these regular adoptions to be every bit as special as Candy's adoption."

To back that up, for a limited time, the PHS is waiving all adoption fees for Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes. Thanks to a punked-out pup, if you're in the area and have been wanting a Chihuahua, this is the time to do it.

Via Patch, SFGate and Peninsula Humane Society

Check out these adorable stories on Dogster:

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Groby the Two-Legged Rescue Chihuahua Gets New Wheels

Groby Pedroni was among 40 dogs rescued from a hoarder in Southern California. You need to see these photos.

It was just another day in a quiet Los Angeles suburb when a horrifying discovery was made.

One of the neighbors had just lost her house. The interior was absolutely destroyed and smelled of filth and decay. Among the wreckage was 40 dogs. No one had even known the dogs were in the house. The neighbors had never seen any of the animals -- because the animals had never been allowed outside.

Nor had they ever received medical treatment, socialization, or any of the other things most dogs need to live happy, fulfilled lives. They were sick, unkempt, and fearful. Even worse, the dogs were not spayed or neutered, and there were not only puppies, but dogs pregnant with yet more litters. Because the dogs had lived unfixed in isolation, they had bred with one another, causing various birth defects among them.

One of those unfortunate puppies is Groby Pedroni. Groby was born without front legs.

I was surprised to get only a moderate response to my call for Monday Miracle nominations! But that's probably only because it needs to gain momentum. However, I did receive a couple nominations, and Groby was one of them. 

Groby is a pretty special dog -- he's even hung out with Rosie. Since being rescued, Groby has been outfitted with his own set of wheels. But he wasn't okay just yet. After finally receiving veterinary treatment, Groby still needed surgery for his remaining legs -- and the bill was not cheap. That's when the community stepped in, rallying around the little Chihuahua and raising money. He recently underwent surgery at UC Davis, so make sure to head over to his Facebook page and tell him Dogster sent you to wish him well.

We're asking for Monday Miracle nominations throughout the month of August, so if you know of dogs who have overcome incredible odds, go to our Facebook page or this page to nominate them.

Photos via Groby Pedroni's Facebook page

Check out our other Monday Miracles on Dogster:

About Liz Acosta: Dogster's former Cuteness Correspondent, Liz still manages the site's daily "Awws," only now she also wrangles Dogster's social media. That's why she wants you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and -- her personal favorite -- Instagram. See ya there!

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An Update on Rosie, the Sweet but Sad Inbred Chihuahua

Remember Rosie, the terribly deformed Chihuahua who was rescued from an animal hoarder/backyard breeder in late June? Our story on her and the other 20 or so rescued dogs brought a great deal of reader empathy, and plenty of sadness and anger about Rosie's condition, which is the result of careless inbreeding.

Despite her needlenose snout, super-bowed legs, bony body, purply-pink skin, and bulging and eerily light eyes, many readers saw her beauty -- both inner and outer. So did her rescuer, Cinnamon Muhlbauer.

"She is an absolutely gorgeous girl who just needs a little TLC. Well, maybe a lot of TLC," she told us.

We checked back in with Muhlbauer a couple of weeks after the rescue to see how her little Rosie was faring. Rosie has been enjoying her time with Muhlbauer, her husband, and several rescued animals on a ranch in the Los Angeles mountains near Malibu. That TLC Rosie needed? She's getting it by the bucketful.

During Rosie's recent visit to her veterinarian at the Malibu Veterinary Clinic, the vet's wife, Evelien Van Netten Lupo, decided to take some "glamour" shots of Rosie to show her off to her fullest.

"She wanted to capture what I see, what her husband sees, and what she saw when she met Rosie, so that people would understand that she is bright, curious, loving, hopeful, and mischievous, and that we are giving her a chance to develop those traits to their full potential," says Muhlbauer. "I don't think anyone viewing those photos can question why we would work so hard to save a little one like her, or why people work to help dogs that some don't think are worth saving."

The good news is that some conditions, like Rosie's mange and malnutrition, are fixable. "But the genetic defects are things we will just have to deal with and work around," she says.

I asked about the specifics of the physical conditions Dr. John Lupo has diagnosed so far. "Her bloodwork came back with no sign of infections or any organ malfunctions. Her X-rays are another matter. Her chest is compressed partially from bearing most of her body weight day after day for two years and partially from her genetics. She has fairly severe scoliosis, which is visible without an X-ray -- that little spine curves almost in an arc. Both her front and hind legs have deformities. Her bones did not develop properly so they fused together in places."

"Going forward, we can't do much about her shortened front legs, but her hind legs can and will stretch out as they should," says Muhlbauer. "We are hoping that with physical therapy she can build enough strength to walk more than a few feet and have better balance, and perhaps she can even have a cart at some point, which would support her front legs and allow her to move her forward via her back legs.

"Her fur is coming back in little peach fuzz spots, which shows what some good nutrition can do. She is still bright red in places; however, her skin texture and color improves daily. The mange treatment is working! Her eyes are getting used to light and dark and are finally functioning normally, so she has expression to her face rather than the startled confused look she had before."

I asked how Rosie's demeanor has changed since their earliest time together. "When I first got her, she wasn't sure what to expect. She was nervous and tense -- I could feel it in her body. Now she is relaxed and curious about everything. She is demanding! She is confined to the bathroom until she is stronger, and she crabwalks out of her bed and drapes across my feet while I am putting on my make up in the morning. If there is an opportunity to be cuddled she is not going to miss it!"

"Rosie will need special care throughout her life, but she is worth the extra effort," Muhlbauer says.

We'll keep you posted on Rosie's recovery, and you can check for updates on Rosie's Facebook page. Even if she can't walk yet, with the loving care of Muhlbauer, her vet, and others in her life, she's already taken many steps in the right direction.

Photos by Evelien Van Netten Lupo.

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Reality TV Star Shanna Moakler Loses Her Chihuahua to a Hawk

Shanna Moakler

It wasn't Angry Birds that brought shock and horror into the life of reality-TV star, dog lover, and former Playboy Playmate of the Month Shanna Moakler last week. It was hungry birds.

The model and actress -- who hosts Bridalplasty and has appeared in Dancing with the Stars, Minute to Win It, Meet the Barkers, Entourage and Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants -- was outside her Calabasas, California, home with her two Chihuahuas when a hawk swooped down out of the sky and attacked the dogs, carrying one of them away, according to Hollyscoop.com.

As reported by the celebrity website, a horrified Moakler tweeted last Monday afternoon:

Shanna's first tweet after the tragedy.

Realizing that the predator had been not "a eagle" but a hawk, the grieving star tweeted on Wednesday: "Not gonna lie, feel like hunting hawks today … don’t feel bad about it either," according to CBS-Los Angeles.

"I live in a neighborhood where coyotes and hawks are prevalent. We took the dogs outside to go to the bathroom and they were attacked by a hawk. My one puppy may have lost an eye; we won't know for a couple weeks -- and the bird flew off with my other puppy. It was like out of a movie."

And Moakler should know how "like out of a movie" feels. Her film credits include Love Stinks, Poison Ivy: The New Seduction, and Big Momma's House 2. She has also been romantically involved with boxer Oscar de la Hoya, singer Billy Idol, actor Dennis Quaid and drummer Travis Barker.

"I'm devastated as I have lost two animals in the matter of a month from coyotes and hawks. I had even installed coyote fences," the star told Hollyscoop. 

Hawk in flight by Shutterstock.com.

"I just hope people with small dogs will start taking precautions with their pets outside and try to protect them from predators. I hope people just remember not to take things for granted as you never know when they can be gone, both people and fur babies." 

Tucked into the rugged southwestern San Fernando Valley about twenty miles north of downtown Los Angeles, chichi Calabasas has been home to a wide range of celebs including Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Howie Mandel, and the Kardashians.

But let them all be warned: Predators don't care whether the owners of their prey pack stadiums, have sex with Kevin Federline, or wear dresses made of steak.

View the original article here

Casting Begins for “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2″

Posted on 02. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Uncategorized

This might be totally off-topic, but I had to pass this along.

Rich King Casting is looking for purebred, talented pups for “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2.” They’re seeking dogs with the looks and the talent to make it in Hollywood:

“Here is your chance to show off (to the world) your best friend. The scene is the Beverly Hills dog show and your purebred could be part of the movie. No talent too big or too small!

If interested, please email your name, contact info, a video of your dog and its talent, a picture of you and your dog, breed, and any miscellaneous information to dogshowfilm@gmail.com.

Casting will start the week of September 21, 2009, so send in your submission as soon as possible.”
More information can be found on their website.

You know, Bliss is a purebred. And she’s quite charming. I’m really, really tempted… Hmm…

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Casting Begins for “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2″

Posted on 02. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Uncategorized

This might be totally off-topic, but I had to pass this along.

Rich King Casting is looking for purebred, talented pups for “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2.” They’re seeking dogs with the looks and the talent to make it in Hollywood:

“Here is your chance to show off (to the world) your best friend. The scene is the Beverly Hills dog show and your purebred could be part of the movie. No talent too big or too small!

If interested, please email your name, contact info, a video of your dog and its talent, a picture of you and your dog, breed, and any miscellaneous information to dogshowfilm@gmail.com.

Casting will start the week of September 21, 2009, so send in your submission as soon as possible.”
More information can be found on their website.

You know, Bliss is a purebred. And she’s quite charming. I’m really, really tempted… Hmm…

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Tags: animal actors, beverly hills chihuahua, casting, dog movie, Featured

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Video: Two-Legged Chihuahua Puppies Loving Life

These three-legged Chis don't even know they're disabled, say caretakers (Photo: Boston Herald)

If you need a shot of can-do spirit this weekend, check out this video of three Chihuahua pups, born without front legs (probably because of overbreeding) and left homeless when their owner died. Are they moping and down in the dumps about their predicament? Far from it! It helps that they’re getting awesome care from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Read more about them in the Boston Herald.

View the original article here

Casting Begins for “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2″

Posted on 02. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Uncategorized

This might be totally off-topic, but I had to pass this along.

Rich King Casting is looking for purebred, talented pups for “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2.” They’re seeking dogs with the looks and the talent to make it in Hollywood:

“Here is your chance to show off (to the world) your best friend. The scene is the Beverly Hills dog show and your purebred could be part of the movie. No talent too big or too small!

If interested, please email your name, contact info, a video of your dog and its talent, a picture of you and your dog, breed, and any miscellaneous information to dogshowfilm@gmail.com.

Casting will start the week of September 21, 2009, so send in your submission as soon as possible.”
More information can be found on their website.

You know, Bliss is a purebred. And she’s quite charming. I’m really, really tempted… Hmm…

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Tags: animal actors, beverly hills chihuahua, casting, dog movie, Featured

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Halloween Contest Photo: Dixie The Chihuahua

"This is Dixie, my Chihuahua. She loves life and thinks everywhere we go the party is for her. I love to take pictures of her and look for cute costumes to match her personality."

Still looking for a cool outfit for your dog this Halloween? Check out our super cool Dog Halloween Costumes.

posted 2010 Oct 04 by Chip Green

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