Alright, alright already! I’ve heard enough from you adoring fans about how you want more Chick, more Chick, more Chick! So we’re trying out a new feature, called “Chix-A-Lot Friday” — Here, you will find Chick’s perspective on the world. His rundown of the week’s news, what he thinks of his foster sibling’s antics, and what kong combo he is finding particularly appealing.
On to today’s installation:
Guys. Here’s the deal. That little sister of mine? Stevie Wonder? She’s crrrazy! She loves me so much that she told me she would like for me to wear her like a hat. At first I was kind of stumped. How do you even respond to that? Could my gorgeous, square head even hold up a gangly teenager like Stevie-girl? Would her long arms block my vision? Would my beautiful wrinkles get itchy? Would I even look good in brindle? Nevermind — dogs don’t even wear hats, I realized.
I tried to explain to her the problem. She would have none of it. She gave me a big ol’ lick to the muzzle. So I had to tell her: woah there, little lady, you’ve gotta take it slow if you want to win my love. I dole it out like candy to humans, but other dogs? They’ve gotta earn it. My ignore-the-foster game will outlast your play-with-me-play-with-me-play-with-me lick-and-punch routine every time, you little Stevie-youngster. Plus, you’re a lady. You can’t be just throwing yourself at every dog that comes along. Even if he is as dapper as me.
She’ll learn eventually. Until then, I’ve asked my mama to put her on a tie-down in the kitchen when we’re hanging out together so she can’t be constantly attacking me with her play-with-me routine. I know I’m irresistible, but I’m an older gentleman, and she’s gotta learn to respect.
*check out our Facebook page for a photo of Chick showing Stevie-girl how to chill out in the kitchen!
For more info on adopting Stevie Wonder, click here or contact us at DCpetographer [at] gmail [dot] com.
Love and a Six-Foot Leash 
He is a handsome boy. I like this friday addition. He’ll come around to her, I know Gonzo was pretty playful too in the beginning. Better to have a dog that loves other dogs too much than one that doesn’t or is picky. It can be hard to find the line between you preventing anything from happening to allowing him to kind of tell her off so she settles down. What do you usually do? Luna now puts up with Wyatt more than I would like but in silly ways like him sitting on her, or stepping on her to get at the window in the car… or stealing her toys. Sometimes I wish she would tell him off because I feel bad for her, but I guess I shouldn’t as she has a very big mind of her own and could if she wanted to.
Hope miss Stevie settles down soon with him, have you tried her with one of the neighbors? I bet they wouldn’t mind at all. Nahla might get a little grumbly/protective if she comes off too strong but she never does anything beyond that. Wyatt dealt with that upon their first introduction after leaving the litter. Then she got more comfortable and they were fast friends.
Happy Friday!
Anna
http://www.akginspiration.com
He is adorable! Love that face! We have the same problem with our current foster dog. He just play attacks both of our dogs all the time. Our foster is only 9 months old, so I’m pretty sure it’s just an age thing that he will grow out of. How old is Stevie? Did you keep them separated at all when you brought Stevie home? This is something I tried for the first time with this foster dog that I have not done with any other foster. I did not have the foster dog out with my dogs for several weeks, just so all of them could get used to their sounds and smells before I introduced them. I found that this works so much better! The introduction was done in my back yard instead of the house because I have found that there are more territorial issues inside than outside. How did you introduce them?
What a face!! No wonder the ladies find him irresistible. It’s his curse. 🙂
Love that Chick will have his own feature every Friday. He certainly writes well!
yay Chick…so patient and dignified and (perhaps most importantly) such a fine looking gentleman!
Chick is so handsome. No wonder Stevie-Wonder goes nuts when he is around!
Mr. Chick certainly has a way with the ladies. But soon I have a feeling Stevie Wonder will have him wrapped around her little paw. Just like the rest of us!
Hi, Chick! We are glad you get some airtime again! We look forward to reading about you every Friday!
Sam
I love that Chick has to be wooed a little…not interested in the ladies that come on too strong. Ginger also isn’t interested in a man that comes on too strong and expects too much, too fast – she is an older, distinguished lady, after all. She made me download “Money Can’t Buy You Class” on her iPod last night. Maybe she and Chick should go on a date… 🙂
I am loving your blog and your photos–and learning a lot, too. We have a yellow lab of our own and are fostering a pit bull. A lot of tie-down going on at our house, too. I grew up in Rockville, and went to college in Baltimore, but now I live in northern California–so thinking about you in MD makes me feel nostalgic.
Chick is very handsome! Looking forward to Chix a lot fridays!
Loving the new weekly Chick post!
Can Chick come teach Izzy how to chill? Foster Peeps is exhausted from her going play, play, play all the time!
Ha! The good news is, you can treat this. I will send you an email a little later with some ideas on how to teach them to be cool. I think it’s a valuable skill to develop.
Awesome! That will be great. I think she was taken away from littermates too soon, but who knows since she’s a rescue. She is OBSESSED with other dogs and can’t leave poor Peeps alone. If we can get her to relax around other dogs, we can foster more!
I hope I am one of those people like Chick who just get better looking and more charming as they age. I have a feeling that is how it is going to work….
dave, you are even handsomer now than when i first met you, so i think your hunch is right.
Love that picture of Chick! How’d he get his name btw?
I was hoping when I scrolled down as I was reading that the picture would be of Stevie being worn as a hat! hehehe
maybe its love attacks
Benny & Lily
Dude! Good to meet ya! I had a crazy foster puppy girl at my house this week… she was NUTS! I kept telling her to chill and that my jowls weren’t toys… She was adopted today, so I didn’t have enough time for my lessons to sink in. Good luck with Ms. Stevie! And, hey… would you put in a good word for me??? 😉
So glad we get to see more of Chick! Looking forward to getting to know him better.
You mentioned a while back that you had a Pitt rescue(s) in the Atlanta area. I have found some online, but was curious which one you were going to recommend. Also, in order for me to become a good dog handler for adopting/fostering a pitt, what would you recommend? I have basset hounds, so it’s not like it is the same. LOL!
Thanks!
Hi Leslie,
I am thrilled to know that you are considering getting involved in pit bull rescue! I actually don’t know any pit bull rescues in Atlanta — I must have mentioned another city. If you would like, I can contact some of my dog rescue network to see if there is one in particular that is well-run and reputable. You should also consider all-breed rescues which accept pit bulls as an option — there are plenty of bullies to go around. Also, if you haven’t been around a lot of bullies, you may have fun just getting to know some. See if you can volunteer at a shelter that has a lot of bullies or at an adoption event for a bully-breed rescue. It will give you tons of opportunities to meet these happy, silly, wiggle-butted dogs, and also give you a better sense of what kind you’d like to foster. There are so many.
I don’t think there should be any special requirements for fostering or owning a pit bull. There are a lot of myths and bad information out there about pit bulls, so you do need to have a thick skin, because people are going to say things like “your dog could turn at any moment” or “they are all dangerous and should be put down.” The more you can educate yourself about what is fact and what is fiction, the better off you will be. Pit bulls are big, energetic dogs, and as such, they benefit from obedience training and a good handler who will be firm and clear with the rules. But it’s no different for a lab, a shepherd, or a standard poodle. Here are a few organizations that do outstanding educational work about pit bulls, you may want to google them or look them up on facebook and do a little reading for yourself! BAD RAP, Animal Farm Foundation, OUR PACK, StubbyDog, and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Best of luck, and please be in touch if I can help you any further!
Thanks, Aleksandra! I was just looking at Friends to the Forlorn in Atlanta. He says in his about page that it takes a certain type of owner. Volunteering at a shelter that has pitts is a great idea. My oldest daughter who is 14 loves dogs and cats so it would be great for us together. Any other thoughts on a “type of owner”?
Hi Leslie,
I guess I don’t really think about “types” of owners. I think the things that make somebody a good pit bull owner just make them a good dog owner in general. A good “type of owner” would be somebody who will treat their dog with a gentle hand, establish house rules and stick to them, do obedience training and other enrichment, keep up on vet care, feed good quality food, understand the dog’s personal limitations, and seek help when needed. I wouldn’t say that is a guide for pit bulls and not other dogs, though. If/when you are selecting a dog, you will need to find an *individual* that fits into your life. If you have a cat, you will want to make sure it’s cat-friendly. If you really want to go to the dog park, you will want to make sure it’s dog-friendly. If you love to go on long runs, you will want one that is athletic and has energy. Etc.
It’s good to talk with various rescues and shelters to get to know their philosophies before you settle on one group to work with. The notion that pit bulls should only be with people who have “bully breed experience” or are “very strong handlers” is not uncommon, it’s just one that I don’t buy into. I think each dog is different and each potential foster or adopter is different, so making any sweeping generalizations is dangerous and risks missing out on potentially great matches. Sure, some pit bulls would not make a great first dog for somebody who doesn’t have a lot of time to train
Chick, you are furry, furry handsome. And I am very respectful. Just sayin’.
-Ruby von Weiler
Sir Chix-A-Lot, you said it. You really are irresistible. I wish I could reach into my computer screen and stroke your velvet coat.
I’m in love. I can’t get over how chill and easy-going he seems. I love that scrunchy face!!
WOW. Super excited, Sir Chick is so handsome, swoon!!
Oh Chick, I love your furrowed brow!
You are such a good foster brother, teaching all these young ‘uns how to chill.
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