Simba (Chi)
Our gentle and very sweet lion king....
Please note: The dogs in ODH's Final Refuge care are not adoptable due to medical reasons and all are in permanent homes. Your sponsorship supports the veterinary expenses for these dogs - and we thank you!
Simba, is the second Chihuahua mix to join the pack at his new home. His name translates to ‘lion’, and he is the most gentle soul you could meet. Simba was found “stray” and very thin and scared, and NOT neutered. He lost weight during the shelter stay, likely because it was very stressful for him, and he has some serious issues with his teeth, one canine in particular looks to be infected. He also has a significant heart murmur and when he was found he had what looked like a flea allergy with scabs on his back. He has gained a little bit of weight back, but is very luke warm about eating – even when offered the most tasty options!
We were prepared for Simba to take awhile settling in, but as happens often, it was like he knew he was home. He got along with all the other dogs, even a young and much, much larger standard poodle, Oliver. The other Chihuahua in his new home, Dobby, likes to chase Oliver if he gets too ‘sniffy’, but Simba just wags his tail, and has even played a few times. And Dobby, really took to Simba too. They love to walk side by side and patrol the yard while I’m outside with them. And if Simba sounds the ‘squirrel alert’ Dobby is happy to join him in the chase. I just love to see the two of them hanging out and taking comfort from one another.
Simba’s skin is all cleared up now and he will be having his dental surgery very soon. First he had to have an echo cardiogram to make sure his heart was strong enough for surgery. The finding showed several issues, but with guidance to account for this, he was deemed ‘safe’ to have a dental – especially given the possibiliy that his teeth/mouth are adding to his reluctance to eat. So when he has his dental, if there is time, he will also be neutered; otherwise, if all goes well, we will go in for that surgery after he is recovered from his dental. Until then, he is very cooperative about wearing his belly band – because if not, it is, of course, his duty to mark all of his territory, inside and out!
We are so grateful to Old Dog Haven for providing the much needed vet care, now and for Simba’s future.
Simba has only been with us for 3 weeks, and if you watch him, you’d think he’d been here for a long time – he knows all the most comfortable beds, and blankets, and seems to be quite pleased with his new residence – and we are more than pleased to be able to have him part of the family.
Simba on his favorite perch – the back of the sofa (on a soft comforter of course)
Simba (left) with Dobby – wondering if it is treat time.
