About
Chris and Roy lost their beloved Lottie, a Westie-Bichon cross, after 15 years together.
Chris was devastated. She didn’t think she wanted another dog but found herself looking online at rescue sites, processing her grief. That’s when she came across British Chihuahua Rescue (BCR).
Chris had never had a Chihuahua but loved the look of one of the pups available and filled in a form, thinking nothing would ever come of it.
Well, fate moves in mysterious ways — and maybe little Lottie had a paw in it. Someone from BCR contacted Chris, and although the pup she’d originally fallen for had been promised to someone else, a home check was arranged.
A BCR home check volunteer, accompanied by their own Chihuahua puppy, visited shortly afterwards. Having never really known any Chihuahuas, Chris says both she and Roy were immediately smitten.
Despite the dog she had fallen for online not being available, the home check volunteer — who happened to also be the chairperson of the charity — said, “I’ve got just the dog for you.”
And that’s how Chris and Roy met Casper.
Chris says, “We were matched so very well. I didn’t want a white dog, but he is perfect. As you get older, you get slower and walks get shorter — but that suits Casper. He lived with lots of other dogs at his foster home, and I was worried he would miss them, but when he arrived, he just had a walk around, then lay down and rolled over for a tummy rub. It brought tears to my eyes how trusting he was that someone would look after him.”
Chris says Casper’s foster mum was brilliant. Casper came with his own igloo to sleep in and had all his vaccinations and teeth done. He had to have surgery on an ulcer on his eye, and the vet used his third eyelid to protect the eyeball while it healed — which is what can be seen in some of his pictures. Casper has fully recovered now, though, and just has eye drops as part of ongoing treatment.
Chris says, “He’s such a loving dog who just wants to snuggle up with people. He is good with children. My granddaughters, who are 11 and 9 years old, are excited to meet him. Everybody loves him. He lets people stroke him, and if he really likes you, he puts his little paws on you. He has such lovely, calm eyes.”
Chris was expecting to need to use puppy pads and was prepared to be woken up in the middle of the night, but she says, “First night home, he went straight out in the garden, had a wee, and has been good ever since. I even lifted him onto our bed to give him a cuddle before putting him in his own bed — and he stayed there all night.”
“Everyone is surprised when I tell them he is 9 years old. He jumps onto the bed now like a flying fox. He has even had his first zoomies, so we know he’s feeling at home. Who would let him go? Why would anyone not want him? I find it impossible to believe.”
Of the adoption process, Chris says, “The volunteers were very caring about the dogs, about where they were placed and who they went to. They really want to make a good match.”
“You see Chihuahuas everywhere once you notice them. There’s a long-haired rescue Chihuahua with a lady doing pet therapy in the hospital wards. They’re brilliant, sturdy little dogs — good walkers and great company.”
“I was broken-hearted from losing my Lottie, and Casper was sad too. He’s very different to Lottie the diva, but I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found him. He hardly ever barks. He’s fun and loves cuddles. If I’ve been out, he comes running and wants to be picked up.”
“I’m an addict. Chihuahuas rule — OK!”
