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I don't know quite where to begin. We got Chiquita 5 years ago because my daughter threw such a fit that my son got a chihuahua and she didn't. My son's dog, Pee-Wee looked exactly like the Taco Bell Dog. We found a lady in Mobile, AL who had just had a litter 6 weeks before. Chiqui would fit in in your hand at the time. The Lady gave us a guarantee, and we left happy as clams. Her ears stuck out like airplane wings.

Right from the start, she was obedient, ready to learn and anxious to please. When she was old enough, 2 yrs., we bred her and Pee-Wee, and they had 2 beautiful daughters.
She was a wonderful mother, and believe it or not if Pee-Wee heard one of the girls crying (because they'd gotten out of the basket and couldn't get back in. He'd bark in front of that bedroom door until someone came to see about them.

She had a 2nd litter of 4, and if I hadn't been here she would have died of complications. She did develop and infection and have a complete hysterectomy. In this litter she had the only surviving male of both litters, silver with green eyes.

Everything was great, even after Katrina completely destroyed our home, because we had our 4 member human family, and our 3 member canine family. But on January 30, 2006, I was taking Chiqui and her son out to "potty". She and her son rounded the corner of the FEMA trailer before me. As I made the turn, a short wheel base white SUV came down our residential street doing about 50 in a 25 mph zone. Chiqui couldn't resist and actually ran under the truck. If she hadn't moved she would have survived. But she got scared and tried to come back to me, and that is when their back passenger tire ran over her head. I heard the bones cracking, and she rolled three times. The SUV never stopped. Her son sat in the street by her body guarding and licking until my husband came and got it.

We've done what the counselors have said and written her letters. We have a memorial book of her starting from when she was a tiny puppy. We've done things that temporarily take our minds off of her, but then the pain comes back so hard and so strong it feels as if something with claws has reached in and grabbed our hearts and is torturing them. We are physically sick over this, and her mate Pee-Wee looks so bad we've got to take him to the vet.

What do you do when nothing helps? doveslanding@bellsouth.net

My heart goes out to you. You and your family had to face more than enough tragedy during the last 6 months. I am sure at this time, the terrible events are so fresh in your mind that you cannot let them go. But you are doing everything right--seeking help, the memorial book, the letters, etc. Give yourself time--time is a healer. Come back to this board and post about the wonderful and unique characteristics that made your Chiqui such a special and loving furbaby. And don't forget to take care of yourself and your family during your grief. God bless you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers tonight.
Pat

I am so sorry to hear about your baby. I too have recently joined this web site looking for comfort and realize I'm not alone in my grief. Your baby was taken tragically as was mine. We lost our puppy when a pit bull mix attacked him in the park. The grief is overwhelming at times. I have trouble sleeping, eating, and anytime things get quiet, my mind replays the horrible image over and over. Our Gizzy was so special...full of life and energy...and loved us so much. I will never get over this, but I vow to not let his memory die. I am praying for you because I know just how you feel. Just know that I am thinking of you and hopefully with time, we will all heal. Kim

I am so, so sorry for all the tragedy you've had to endure in such a short amount of time. You are in my prayers, and so is your Pee-Wee.
Much love,
brandy