Pokey came to us in August 2000. Pokey was a kennel dog raised by a breeder. When the breeder died suddenly, her Chin were turned over to JCCARE. Pokey was one of the old ones. At 11 years old, and not having known love, affection, or the inside of a house, Pokey was an odd little guy. We first met him at Dana's home where he was being fostered. He was being readied to go to his adoptive mom in California. She had been unable to get to Washington to retrieve him. Keith and I were there on vacation and visited Dana. It was decided that we would take Pokey back to Phoenix with us on the plane, and his new mommy could drive to Phoenix to get him 2 weeks later.
When we met Pokey, he was underweight, less than 6 lbs. His coat was almost non existent and he was skin and bones. His hunchback was very prominent. His bulging eyes were so wide set that it was said he could look East and West simultaneously. His gait was quite strange. He walked with most of his weight balanced on his front legs and took very short steps. He looked like he was walking on sticks.
When we got Pokey to our home he seemed overwhelmed by the room and freedom he had. His anxiety was likened to that of a P.O.W. who is so used to being caged up that when they get freedom it's almost too overwhelming. Pokey seemed overwhelmed and confused. He would stand in one spot like a statue, with his head and tale down, for very long periods of time. He seemed to relax more when I would put him in a room with an x-pen closing it off. He followed Keith everywhere. He found the ramp up to the bed within an hour and learned how to get up onto the bed. He had to pull himself up, but he made it. Problem was, he couldn't get down. The next day he found the doggie door and used it without any coaxing from us. It helped that he had 6 other Chin to show him the tricks.
Upon examination by the vet, Pokey was diagnosed with a grade IV heart murmur, elongated soft palate, hunchback due to lack of muscle development, ear mites, wry mouth ( his tongue hangs out the side at all times), a scarred and disfigured ear due to an old untreated injury, scars from scratches on his eyeballs, and poor tear duct production, prostrate problems, and the glands inside his penis were swollen which made him appear dis-proportioned. The vet said "There's very little normal about this guy". We didn't know what to expect from Pokey, if he would even live very much longer. He just seemed to have so many weird issues.
As it turned out, after careful discussion with the lady who was supposed to adopt him, we agreed to keep him. We all agreed that we did not want him to have to adjust to another home and he required medication for his heart.
Pokey was not very social, but did like to be held. He would just stand in one spot for long periods of time and stare into space. He would not sit or lie down.
As I write this it has been over 7 months. Pokey is like a new dog. Our vet is amazed at the change in him. He has a long thick coat. His bib practically drags the ground it's so long. He has put on weight and his hunched back is barely noticeable.
He runs (with his weird little gait) through the house, he plays in the covers on the bed, he barks his commands to us, and has mastered getting up and down from the bed. He goes up and down the bedramp with ease, and in and out the doggie door. He is better than an alarm clock when it comes to breakfast and dinnertime. He prances around with his tail high and is a happy little guy. He has even begun to play with one of our other Chin on occasion. He can be found curled up sleeping in any of the dog beds and sometimes even in an open crate. He loves to be held and give kisses. He "talks" to us with his funny little gurgly voice. He sleeps on the bed with us and snores loudly. He has become much more active, and he reminds me of a child skipping along when he runs through the house. His favorite place to nap is on the floor in front of the printer in the office room.
Pokey is a strange little character and so lovable. He can sometimes be a pest when he insists on being held regardless of what we are doing. He will bark and stare, and paw at us and insist on being picked up. We affectionately call him "Pesky Pokey" when he gets like this, even though it's too cute.
When we first met Pokey, we didn't think he would be around very long. He had no zest for life. But he is a fighter and now he is a feisty happy go-lucky little old man. All it took was love.