She's home

Thursday, 9:39 pm

By Kate

Jun

18

2009

Meet Mackenzie, the newest addition to my family. She is sleeping at my feet even as I type.

I decided that Mackenzie is a pretty good name. The shelter folks named her and she had become accustomed enough to the name that she was coming from parts unknown when called by it. She pretty much had the run of the shelter and was, evidently, everyone’s little darling. When I went over later this afternoon, there were 7 people watching my every move with her to make sure we were going to be a good match. They loved that little dog and weren’t in any hurry to see her leave. After I’d been there for an hour or so, Mackenzie plopped herself in my lap and gave me a face full of doggy kisses. And that was good enough for everyone there. Mackenzie gave me her stamp of approval. Thank goodness.

Okay. So. Mackenzie is a Corgi/Chihuahua mix. She has the body of a Corgi, and the legs and head of a Chihuahua. Corgi-ish ears, though. She is most adorable and charming. And has the worst doggy breath I have ever smelled. We’ll have to get the teeth checked in the next couple of weeks, along with her booster shot.

Miss Mackenzie is about 3-4 years of age. She is quite rotund at the moment. I am sorry to report that her nickname has already become waddle-butt. She’s on a special diet and we will do as much walking as she can tolerate. I’ve already exhausted her today. She weighs about 16 pounds and her ideal weight is around 11-12 pounds. So we have some work to do. She gets winded really easily and has a difficult time negotiating the stairs. She loves going for walks though.

Abbie, of course, was appalled when she saw a dog walk in the door with me. She may forgive me in time, but probably not any time soon. Mackenzie loves kitties and wags her tail and barks excitedly every time she sees the kitty. She would like to play with the kitty, not eat the kitty. The nice kitty doesn’t care. It’s a dog. That’s all one needs to say about the matter.

I think Mackenzie is going to be a hand full when she settles in. She’s got personality and, I think, believes that she is going to rule the roost. Hard to say if that is her Corgi or Chihuahua genes kicking in. I think we’ll have a few discussions about who is the boss around here as time goes on. She is a very sweet and affectionate little dog and she already is completely devoted. But, for the next few days, she and I will be attached via leash to establish the household pecking order. I think dog trainers call this leash bonding. I want to make sure that she is completely house trained before I let her have the run of the house. And she needs to know that I am the boss of her time and activities. When we can’t be attached via the leash, she has her crate to curl up in. I was happy to learn that she is already comfortable with a crate and that’s where her bed has been for the last few weeks.

We’ve had a good few hours since her arrival. She’s very willing to take direction and gentle correction. And she loves being with her humans.

I had to go to the store a little while ago and when I returned, it was just so cool having a dog turning happy circles (in her crate), thrilled to bits to have her human home again. I’ve really missed that.