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Marley's Success Story

Feel free to say hi to Marley on the Facebook post we created for Marley's Chihuahua Rescue Victoria Success Story!

Tiny Chihuahua cross Maltese of 3.5 kg

Saturday, April 21, 2018

We announced Marley as being up for adoption in April of 2018.

Marley is a tiny Chihuahua cross Maltese of 3.5 kg. She is a very timid little girl but once you win her trust she will follow you to the ends of the earth and back!

She has been locked outside all her life and is now thoroughly enjoying being inside with us. She will not be suited to children under 12 years. She is OK with another very small dog, no bigger dogs. Not sure of cats.

She is not yet totally toilet trained, so some work will be required there — but she is happy to please and so will soon learn.

She has been desexed, fully immunised and microchipped: 156000010228227. She has been given worm and flea treatments and she has had a full dental. Her price is $550.

Marley tries out a new home

Monday, 23rd of April 2018

We interviewed a new candidate to become Marley's forever home, and after seeing how well she reacted initially, we sent Marley off to try a new home! Shortly after we were sent this update.

Rita!

I've gotten home and she has turned into a completely different dog! She is wonderful—her tail has not stopped wagging since I've gotten home! 😀

Marley is checking out her new home. (Monday, 23rd of April 2018)

Our reply was just as ecstatic!

WOW—I am so very happy to hear that!! They know, they really do! Now all you need is heaps of patience with that toilet training. She is the most delightful little dolly of a dog and I am sure you will both be really happy together once the full bonding happens. It will, sooner than you think. Both Mayer and I were really impressed with your understanding and maturity. Your responsible attitude in holding and handling her this afternoon made a very deep impression on us! Thank you.

And thank you for the lovely video! Just wonderful.

Love from Rita and Mayer

See this update Marley's family sent to us on Facebook.

Marley works on her toilet training

Wednesday, 25th of April 2018

For many new families, toilet training their pet can be among the most stressful activities. It requires discipline on our behalf to be aware of when they need to go, and patience enough to take ourselves and our pet through the exercise of training.

I have created for Marley her own palace where she has outdoor access at all times while I'm not home. The gaps have been covered in my balcony's fencing. I did it the day I picked her up. Marley tried to jump in my lap while I was trying to cover the gaps!

Toilet training is what we are working hard on. She will only go on the plastic I have laid for her which I'm happy about. Every morning she will be taken out for a walk to try and get her to go to the toilet during her walk. She is such an amazing dog and we are constantly making progress. She has become very comfortable with me: she must always be next to me with whatever I'm doing.

It was more than heartening to see Marley's new family going to the effort required.

The look of love beginning to happen on that little girl's face is beautiful.

Toilet training can take time, especially since it has never been done in her whole life. However, we found her to be a very intelligent little girl, and she does want to please! All of these are really good signs that she will want to make you happy. Give her high praise when she does good!

It is wonderful that you fixed the holes straight away: obviously she was trying to stop you! Hahaha.

I love these photos and the update. Thank you so much.

Love from Rita and Mayer xxxxxx

See this update Marley's family sent to us on Facebook.

Make sure your documentation is correct

Monday, 30th of April 2018

Sometimes it is hard to get certain details right. How do we know how old a dog is if there is no record of their birth? Questions like this are often answered by a vet, but even a vet will be guessing some details. Always double check that the details on your pet's documentation looks right, and double check it if you have any doubts.

Hi Rita,

Hope you have been well. I have given all documentation to my vet for Marley but I noticed on her immunisation and sterilisation card that it says she is 4 years old instead of 6 and a half. I'm not too sure what to go with?

By the way she is doing great! Toilet training is going to take some time. But she is doing good. We had our first accident yesterday. That's okay though—she has been doing great. She does go on the artificial turf I have bought for her.. and she also lays on it!

In Marley's case, we didn't need to rely on a guess from a vet; we were able to find out her actual age.

Goodness, the toilet grass makes a great bed to lie on in the sun!

I am still so pleased she is learning toilet training. You are doing great with her.

Marley is about six and a half years old. Her date of birth is written on the back of one of those certificates. When we took her to the vet they had to guess her age from her dirty teeth. Two vets had quite a discussion on how old they thought she might be! The initial guess of four years was nothing but their guesswork. We were able to contact the granddaughter of the lady who owned Marley and she contacted her old vet and got her actual date of birth.

Hope this helps.

She is looking very relaxed!

Take care, and give her cuddles from grandma and grandpa.

Love from Rita

Marley tries out some new socks

Saturday, 5th of May 2018

Good to see Marley in some fancy (and functional) footwear!

Hi Rita,

Yes I did think it was six and a half.

I cannot believe how well Marley has settled in within the last 2 weeks. She is a great dog!

She must always be very close to me at all times Hahaha!

I've bought her some dog socks as I noticed she was scratching where she'd been stitched up. She doesn't seem to mind them and looks absolutely adorable in them!

Marley is improving so well!

Hahaha, those socks are gorgeous! You would not believe it, but today I gave the Chihuahua Club a set of 4 doggy Sox and a set of four little suede leather shoes to be sold to raise funds for the club!! I could have given them to you for Marley—darn!

It makes me so happy to hear that she is so happy. I love this little girl, bless her!

I love these photos too, she looks so happy. We can never thank you enough for giving her a chance at a second go at life and with so much love along with inside living. Thank you.

Love from Rita xxxx

See this update Marley's family sent to us on Facebook.

Marley and her best mate Benji

Monday, 4th of June 2018

Something that warms our hearts is seeing our Chihuahuas find new mates to play with—not just humans!

Hi Rita,

Hope you have been well!

I thought I would fill you in on Marley's progress.

She has settled in fantastically! I love having her in my life.

Toilet training has been going great, she is about 95% toilet trained. There have been no accidents for a whole of three weeks—she is a very fast learner!

Marley and my parents spoodle Benji have become very good friends. The attached is of her being cheeky trying to get him to play. So adorable!!

Marley (on top) trying to get Benji (the spoodle) to play! They are getting along fine! (Monday, 4th of June 2018)

Marley and Benji—someone is being taken for a walk, but I am not sure who is walking who? (Monday, 4th of June 2018)

Of course we were delighted!

Well I needed that laugh, they are hilarious! I love the taking of the lead and leading her! What a great arrangement you have so she is not alone all day. I can see she is loving it.

Thank you for the photo and the videos, love them!

Hugs from Rita

I thought the rest of this discussion was interesting because it shows how doggies will be protective of their humans, and this is a behaviour we have to be wary of because Chihuahuas will readily try to bite strangers they feel threatened by.

My mother is retired and loves having Marley around, so she will take her a couple of times within the week. She does enjoy being there and really loves my parents and brother.

However, Marley still does not like people she is not familiar with coming into my place. It is very cute how she is protective but we are working on this as she will bite everyone's ankles.

We cannot say enough how grateful we are to hear new adoptive families recognising these behaviours and being willing to work on them.

Oh dear, Marley is showing all the usual things Chihuahuas do: protecting their humans. It is also known as the small dog syndrome!

The influence of a good friend

Sunday, 1st of July 2018

Naughty Benji for teaching Marley all these habits!

Hi Rita,

I have noticed lately that Marley is developing a cheeky side. She has been influenced by Benji, my parents spoodle.

I caught her walking around with the tv remote control in her mouth. 🤨 Also, when I come home from work my bath mats are on the couch! Although I have several Kong toys that I fill with treats hidden around the house, she still prefers my bath mats.

This has only started since she's been spending time with Benji—he is a terrible influence!

See this update Marley's family sent to us on Facebook.

Marley stays at Chihuahua Headquarters

Tuesday, 17th of July 2018

If able, we are happy to look after our re-homed Chihuahuas if their owners need to go away for a while. This is what we did for Marley and her family, and Marley had no trouble whatsoever settling back into Chihuahua Headquarters! After Marley was dropped off, this is what we sent to her family.

You would not believe this little traitor! You had barely got to your car when she put her front feet on my legs and wanted a pat. I sat on lounge chair and guess who climbed on my lap? She is totally relaxed now.

Thank you so much for the bag of goodies, dried dog food and the donation—it is greatly appreciated.

Have a great holiday.

Love from Marley and from Mayer and me

Marley's mum responded the same day.

Hahaha! This is typical Marley once she's comfortable in her surroundings. She will be smothering you in kisses. I think she still remembers you for her to react like that so quickly. How could she not when you were so lovely to her!

You are more than welcome! I really appreciate you helping me out with Marley, I'm so happy to hear that she has come out of her shell.

I honestly did not understand the magnitude of how much you do for the chihuahua rescue until I saw the dogs you had today. I was speechless. What you do for these dogs is amazing! You are truly one in a million! ❤

Friday, 10th of August 2018

Soon enough, Marley's mum came to pick her up. We wrote to her soon after they left.

We just wanted to say thank you so much for the lovely box of chocolates and for the donation. That was not necessary but we thank you very much, it is a great help. Thank you.

How is Marley? It was a little strange that she did not immediately recognise you! I was a bit surprised but it was so lovely when she “woke up” that it was you... then that little tail was almost wagging off her bottom!

Love from Rita xxxxxx

Marley's mum sent us the most amazing reply.

You are more than welcome—I cannot thank you enough for looking after Marley!

I had a feeling that she may not remember me. As soon as we got in the car she was trying to jump in my lap as I was driving! It all made sense who I was and where we were going in the car that she so hates—hahah!

Once I got to my place it was like she was never away: she has not left my side!

Marley seeing her human after she comes back from a holiday! (Friday, 10th of August 2018)

What a lovely sight that is!

Hahaha! Bless her, she looks so happy to be home with you. Love those videos and to see how happy she is! There is no mistaking that whatsoever!

Thank you for loving her so much, it really warms our hearts.

Love from Rita and Mayer

Marley truly settled back in quickly, as this response shows.

She was back to her cheeky self in no time!

Look at her not letting me eat my dinner... she has already had hers!

Is this my coffee?

Friday, 14th of September 2018

Love these photos!

Hi Rita,

Hope you have been well!

I have some silly photos of Marley for you!

The below is how paws end up in my coffee! She has dunked her paws in my coffee twice now!

Health tip: dogs don't need coffee! Below is our reply (the photos are not from us—they are still the ones Marley's mum sent us).

Oh my goodness, what a funny little girl. Love the photos. She is one very special little girl. I love the life and sparkle in your eyes when you are looking at her, just beautiful.

Thank you for letting us know how she is doing.

Lots of love from Rita and Mayer

See this update Marley's family sent to us on Facebook.

Marley's first Christmas at her new home

Sunday, 30th of December 2018

It seems longer, but is was only eight months ago that Marley found her new home, and with this update it is clear that it will be her forever home!

Hope you have had a wonderful Christmas!

Marley has been doing very well. She has gotten very good with people where she will remember people she has seen before and eventually warms up to strangers.

We have, however, had a little set back. She started limping and not putting any weight on her back left foot. I took her to the vet where they had advised everything was fine and that might have strained her leg. She has been on medication for the past two days and is now fine. The limp has gone. I have now put steps for her on the sides of the couch so she doesn't have to jump up and down.

She absolutely loves sitting on the highest points of the couch where she can see everything. At times she jumps right off so I've been spraying her with water when she tries to climb up. She has many cat like traits it seems...

Other than that she has been great! 😀

She is a spoilt little girl! She comes out with me and gets wined and dined! She insists on sitting on a chair next to me or in my lap. I'm sure her new life with me has taken a 360 degree turn. I take her out and about as much as I can so that she can be comfortable in her surroundings and with other people and dogs.

It was so wonderful to see how Marley is continuing to grow, and be loved.

Oh my goodness, thank goodness her leg is ok and she is no longer limping! These little dogs never seem to realise how small they are and think that chairs and tables are fine for jumping on and off of. Thank you for trying to stop her. I love the photos! She has come so far with your gentle care and love, how wonderful. She is one very lucky little lady.

Sounds like her social life is all go go go!

I love that she seems to think she is human! You could certainly say just a bit spoilt!

We had a lovely quiet Christmas, thank you. I hope you and Marley had a lovely Christmas too. We wish you both a wonderful Happy New Year.

See this update Marley's family sent to us on Facebook.

Marley is eight years old!

Saturday, 30th of November 2019

I truly loved this update, with a trove of magnificent pictures from Marley's family.

Hope you have been doing very well!

It has been a while since I have updated you on Marley's progress. We celebrated her eighth birthday last Tuesday: she is eight years young! 😍

It is indeed a worthy birthday to celebrate, and made us so happy! We couldn't fit all the great photos from this update here, so see the rest of them in the gallery down below.

Oh how gorgeous those photos are! I just love the one with her on her side smiling straight at you.

Eight years already, bless her, she is just beautiful. How are you keeping?

Thank you for the update and lovely photos.

I am ok, but Mayer has not been well for the last few weeks but is now improving every day.

Take care and have a wonderful Christmas.

Love from Rita and Mayer xxxxx

Merry Christmas from Marley and Benji

Wednesday, 25th of December 2019

Wow!

Merry Christmas From Marley & Benji 😀 who behaved beautifully while having their photo taken with Santa! 🎅

See this update Marley's family sent to us on Facebook.

Two years with her forever family

Sunday, 24th of May 2020

During the Covid down-time, we received this wonderful update from Marley's family. Again, we couldn't fit all the great photos from this update here, so see the rest of them in the gallery down below.

Hi Rita,

I hope you and the chi's have been well! 😀

I haven't updated you on Marley for a while now. It has been two amazing years since I adopted her from you! She has wonderfully blossomed within these two years.

She is a very smart girl. Training her was not hard. She is now 100% toilet trained and recognises the “toilet” command. I have a fake grass patch in my balcony which she uses—very good girl!

During the isolation period I have been at home and will continue to be until August. She loves that I am home all the time! Although I have noticed that she does love her “me” time. She will tend to go into the bedroom or outside on the balcony to have some time away from me!

We still go on adventures as much as we can. During summer we were always at the beach. At first Marley hated the water and would wait for me to come back from my swim on the seashore. Then one day she swam all the way to me into the deep! She just about gave me a heart attack and so I bought her a life jacket! 😀

As she was very uneasy with people and at times continues to be, I have a photo album of her once she gains people's trust! The happiness in people's faces is priceless as everyone she comes across adores her little personality!

She is a great little dog and we have amazing bond. ❤

Attached are some photos of what we have been up to.

Lots of love!

This is what I live for as Chihuahua Rescue Victoria—seeing these dogs happy in their forever homes. Thank you.

Oh my goodness how absolutely wonderful! That is just so fantastic to read and see these gorgeous photos of Marley and how happy she is. I am even more happy to hear she has bonded so beautifully with you! Gorgeous.

Lots of love from Rita xxxxxx

See this update Marley's family sent to us on Facebook.

Marley in pictures

In a very short time, Marley's new family has accumulated so many great memories. Here are just a few of them.

 

 

 

 

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