Читать книгу National Geographic Kids Chapters: Together Forever: True Stories of Amazing Animal Friendships! - Mary Quattlebaum - Страница 7
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One cold February night, Penny was at the hospital when a man rushed up with a small bundle. What was inside? A tiny puppy! The man had found the puppy in a ditch at a nearby park. He had scooped up the shivering creature and hurried to the hospital. The man had hoped the staff there could help. They always took good care of his pets. The hospital staff was amazed. The puppy was so little! He was only six weeks old and weighed just two pounds (907 g). That’s about the weight of a quart of milk.
Did You Know?
Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dogs. Adults can weigh about as much as a small bag of sugar.
He was missing the lower part of his front legs, several teeth, and a toenail. This pup would never be able to walk, run, or jump like other dogs. This dog could move from one place to another but only by dragging himself or hopping on his back legs. The puppy’s way of moving helped inspire his name. He hopped like a kangaroo, so Alicia named him Roo.
Roo’s past was something of a mystery. Alicia thinks that Roo was tossed in the ditch by a dog breeder. The breeder had probably wanted to sell this puppy for a lot of money. When he realized that Roo had so many problems, he decided to get rid of the pup. Who would want such a dog? Alicia would! And Penny, too.
When Roo was brought to the hospital, the hen was resting in her soft, pink bed at the front desk. Alicia tucked Roo in beside her. The warmth of Penny’s body would help warm and comfort the cold puppy.
Roo took one look at the big fluffy bird and pounced! The puppy began tumbling around. He chewed on Penny’s feet and feathers. He wasn’t hurting Penny, he just wanted to play!
“Penny wasn’t sure what to think,” said Alicia. “But when Roo settled down for a nap, Penny climbed on top of him, as if he were an egg. She warmed him up, and then they both slept.”
They’ve been best friends ever since. They eat together and share water bowls. When it’s time to go to the hospital, they travel in the same carrier. Sometimes they squabble like human brothers and sisters. They try to steal food from one another. Penny will steal one of Roo’s dog treats, even though she can’t eat it; and Roo will chase her.
Run, Penny!
Go, Roo!
What a game! The two play until they get tired, and then it’s nap time. When they snuggle, Penny purrs, just as she does on Alicia’s lap. Sometimes Penny even lays her eggs in Roo’s dog bed. This is a way that Penny shows how much she trusts Roo.
Did You Know?
The Chihuahua has one of the longest life spans of any dog. Most live 10 to 18 years. But many Chihuahuas live to be more than 20 years old.
Roo shares his toys with Penny, but his favorite plaything is still Penny’s toes and fluffy feathers.
“Their friendship seems to be very unusual,” said Alicia. Chickens are prey animals and dogs are predators. This means that chickens will try to avoid dogs. Dogs may chase or try to eat them.
Instead, these two friends look out for one another. Once Penny was sick for several weeks, and Roo stayed very close to her. He didn’t want to play.
Chihuahuas are named for the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. A few of these dogs were found there, close to some ruins, in the 1850s. The little dogs may have an even earlier history, though. Carvings and artwork that are more than 1,000 years old show a larger Chihuahua-like dog called a Techichi (shown below). These dogs seemed important to the ancient Toltec and Aztec people of Central America. Some lived in temples and were buried in graves. Perhaps they were part of religious ceremonies.
Did You Know?
There are two kinds of Chihuahuas: short-haired and long-haired. Roo is the long-haired variety.
And when Roo hurt his leg and needed surgery, Penny refused to leave him. She sat quietly by his bed until he recovered.
This is how Alicia explains the bond between Penny and Roo: “I think they were both little throw-away orphans in need of comfort and companionship, and they found that in one another.”
Most of the other animals at Alicia’s house ignore the two buddies—except for a pit bull named Lucy. She wants to take care of them. Lucy follows them around and bathes them with her tongue. Lick, lick, lick.
At 70 pounds (32 kg), Lucy is 14 times larger than Roo, but she always plays gently with him. She likes to poke and nuzzle. He likes to pounce and tug. Chihuahuas may be small, but they are definitely spunky!
Did You Know?
Chihuahuas shiver when they are cold, excited, or frightened. A dog sweater can help keep them warm.
Penny is part of the fun, too. She enjoys perching on Lucy’s back. She gets a nice ride that way.
And Lucy never jumps or tries to knock Penny off. The big dog acts like a gentle mother to these two unique babies.
When they are working at the hospital, Penny and Roo stay in the reception area. “This is their domain,” said Alicia. They greet animal patients, nap, and play with owners, their children, and sometimes the patients.
Yip, yip, yip, calls Roo in his squeaky voice. He’s a noisy little rascal and likes to grunt, bark, and growl playfully.
Penny is quieter and makes a variety of chirps. When Penny seems restless and starts poking into corners and at the pet beds, Alicia knows what’s going on.
