Kobi's Story

by Barbara Isenberg

After more than 20 years of sharing my life with dogs, my Japanese Chin
Bugsy (a rescue via the local pet shelter in 1988) was euthanized due to
old age and a worsening heart failure condition. His loss was
devastating to me and my husband, but with my children now married and
with kids of their own, we decided it was time to go petless and come
and go as we pleased. For nearly 1 1/2 years we experienced a somewhat
empty, self-centered independence. Despite the new-found ease to travel
and go wherever and whenever we wished (for as long as we wanted to),
something was definitely missing. We spoke repeatedly of finding another
dog. I didn't want to start with a puppy and I wanted another Chin.
Finding one wasn't that easy, but our friend (and Chin rescue angel of
mercy Jean Bebensee) gave us several leads.  Some very reputable
breeders far from our South Florida home had dogs that might be
available, but none of the dogs were suitable for our family. As soon as we'd
get close to deciding on a dog, we'd talk ourselves right out of the
notion. Finally, we decided we'd just forget the whole idea.

One Sunday afternoon the phone rang. It was Jean. "I have your dog
here," she told me while my husband seated within earshot began waving
his arms in an unmistakable gesture of NO! Of course, within 15 minutes
we were on our way to Jean's to meet the male Chin who had been
relinquished to rescue due to family problems. Kobi (as he now is known)
was a frightened little guy who displayed no
interest in meeting someone new. Yet whenever I turned away from him,
he'd inch a bit closer. We left Jean's house quite unsure that this was
going to be our dog. The next day, I went back to try to get to know him
better. Several days later (following a lot of Jean's famous TLC and
good vet care), we decided to take him home and give it a trial. As Jean
handed him to me for the car ride home, the now panicked Chin nipped her
hard and unexpectedly -- not much in the way of thanks for her loving
efforts.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" she asked us. YES, we replied.

As soon as we got settled in the car with him on my lap, his
hyperventilating quickly slowed down and by the time we got home 20
minutes later, he seemed much more at ease. Kobi spent his first night
on our bed (where he has slept nightly these past 9 months). By the next
morning, he was like a different dog. After sniffing (and marking!)
through every room of the house, the little guy decided the place would
meet his needs. Less than 24 hours after coming home with us, he was
playing his now routine games of fetch with his little toy fish.

Kobi is an emotional, vocal guy who needs lots and lots of attention
which we have the time and inclination to give. He wouldn't have been
for everyone being such an "in-your-face" sort, but we wouldn't have him
any other way. He's incredibly bright and once again showed me so
convincingly how well even "problem" dogs can respond with love, safe
surroundings, good nutrition and regular vet care.

Kobi is my third Chin and I am now convinced that this incredibly unique
breed is not for everyone. But if you want a most faithful friend and
enjoyable companion and you have time to spend with him, then please
consider adopting a Chin through rescue. It has been a blessing to us.