LIFE LIBRARY: Memories of first day home for adopted Chihuahua, Violet!

In our LIFE LIBRARY series™ I step outside of work to share with you events, memories and reflections from my personal life! Understanding more about how I use the tools that we discuss and share in our programs, shows and resources is my primary goal in this series! 

In our debut of this series I am reflecting on one of my current family members, my Chihuahua, Violet. I adopted Violet on July 1, 2011 from a local shelter in central Texas. She was found by animal control on the side of the freeway (I-35) and brought to the shelter. When I first saw her in the shelter she ignored me. She made no noise at all (which was unusual as many of her companion small dogs were very vocal)! In fact she did not bark (or make any other vocal sounds) for about six weeks! I kept asking the veterinarian if there was something medically that needed to be treated (if she was unable to bark or simply unwilling). The veterinarian assured me that she was perfectly healthy and sure enough, when she was ready she spoke up! My guess is that when she finally realized that my home was now her permanent home she decided to relax and share her vocal enthusiasm and support of "her territory" (which is everywhere in the house)!  Overall though at this point, unless there is some exciting new first time visitor at home, she is still very quiet. 

These pictures were taken on the day that I adopted her and brought her home! She had no identification at the shelter and was in heat, proestrus apparently (it was the first time in my life that I purchased and used dog panties and pads). Her age was estimated to be about 1 and 1/2 years. She was less than six pounds. As soon as she was able to do so, she was spayed. 

The top picture is of us when she first got home! The painting in back is one of my favorites from my collection (I love vibrant colored scenes on canvas). The picture below is a first day home solo photo of Violet (without me taking up space). Yes, in the picture above I dressed her in a pink outfit (with glitter) that reads, "Princesses Are Always In Style!" This is my first Chihuaha, my first female dog and my second dog total. Yes, she has other outfits. Yes, she has a pink name tag. I am not ashamed! 

She is a delightful companion! She has flown on planes (on Southwest Airlines) and she has an adventurous life (in my estimation relative to other peer Chihuahuas)! She loves to eat and I have to continue to monitor her weight as she is so small that maintaining a healthy size is of utmost importance. As most dog aficionados, I believe that she is above average in intelligence! She has a facial expression that she only does when she is really happy and it looks like she is smiling. She never ceases to make me smile and I hope that she helped you smile too!

I have had three dogs in my adult life and all of them have been adopted from shelters. Please support your local animal shelter! Here are some links:
USA:
 - http://www.aspca.org/donate
- http://www.humanesociety.org/donate/
Global:
- http://www.hsi.org/
- http://www.spcai.org/

For Chihuahua fans out there, here is a support site: 
- http://www.chihuahua-people.com/

I have to share links for all of us who are not embarrassed to ensure our pets are warm and/ or fashionable (you know who you are!):  

---

Pet Clothes