The Canine Affair Pt. 2

Story about A Comical Canine

Please read A Chihuahua Named Tequila (second post on my Substack) and The Canine Affair Pt. 1.

Synopsis: Calendula, a Hispanic woman living in LA, adopted a rescued Chihuahua. And when she was invited to a family reunion she left the dog with her neighbors who were unaware of the disaster of a dog that awaited them.

After Calendula returns to LA, she finds a trainer to help transform Tequila from a monster into a loyal companion.

Photo by Alicia Gauthier on Unsplash

The Canine Affair

Charlie grabbed a bag of kibble and she filled a metal bowl. She placed the bowl in front of Tequila.

"Does he have food guarding issues?"

I shook my head.

"He doesn't have those issues with me but then I don't go near his bowl while he's eating and I don't have any other pets."

Charlie brought out a battery operated animal toy and she stuck it next to the bowl of food. Tequila snarled but he didn't attack the toy.

"Hmmmm, he might have some resource guarding instincts. And I wonder if the gender of another animal in the room would make a difference."

She observed Tequila.

"It looks like the shelter neutered him so that helps."

I laughed, "He's still horny. He had sex with a terrier at the doggy bakery."

Charlie chuckled. "He wouldn't be the first dog to do that at the bakery. That place seems to be a hot place for dogs to pick up mates."

I blushed. "I wouldn't be the expert on that."

Charlie gazed at Tequila.

"Would you mind me keeping Tequila with me for the afternoon so I can run a few tests on him?"

"You mean will I let you dog sit for me?"

"Not exactly. But I have some ideas in my head about his earlier socialization and you did say that he lived on the streets. Do you know how long he lived on the streets? He seems like he's around three years old."

I shook my head. "The shelter had no idea. He wasn't chipped but he knew his commands so he must have lived with people for a while. We really don't know his story."

Photo by Brent Ninaber on Unsplash

Charlie smiled at Tequila who seemed to have warmed up to the trainer.

"I think deep down he's a good boy. He's most likely confused and going from a street to a shelter and then into someone's home is hard on a dog."

I said good bye to Charlie and Tequila. I decided to drive to the ocean for the afternoon so I could process my emotions from the previous several days.

First, I adopted a dog and then I was invited to the family reunion. Then I had to beg and plead with my friends, yes, I still have friends, to watch Tequila for the week. They all said no and then the neighbors, Greg and Gary came to my rescue. Only now, I don't know if we'll ever become fast friends. Tequila ruined that friendship.

And now, Charlie said that she can give Tequila a second lease on life. Should I remain hopeful or would I be heading for another fall? After all, disappointment seems to be my middle name...Calendula Disappointment, blah, blah, blah.

Photo by Sean Stratton on Unsplash

I walked along Venice beach as skaters and bicyclists darted around me. I watched the number of well-behaved dogs of various sizes navigate the busy path and I realized it would be a miracle if Tequila would ever be able to walk in this crowded area. Sharks wouldn't be the only threat to beach dwellers. Maybe I was wrong.

After absorbing too much sun and eating too much ice cream, I headed back to the trainer to pick Tequila up.

When I entered the dog gym, I noticed Tequila lying on the couch next to Charlie who was reading a book. I thought that she really had a way with dogs and the scene was almost out of a romantic movie, that is one with tattoos and a LBGQ cast.

Charlie looked up at the same time that Tequila did. They both gazed at me trying to figure out who I was.

Charlie rose from the couch and she snapped Tequila's leash back on him. I noticed his back muscles tense when she handed the leash to me.

"As an animal behavior expert, I don't think the problem is so much with Tequila. I think the chemistry between you and him is mostly good until you experience stress."