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| Name: |
Xochitl
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Age: |
Four years old
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| Gender: |
Female |
Breed: |
Australian Shepard & Cattledog Mix |
| Home: |
San Diego, California, USA
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We
adopted Xochitl (ZOH-chee) through the county animal shelter. She
was all fur and bones and had been found running loose in traffic.
She had been at the shelter for six weeks. It's pretty obvious that
she had been abused. She was terrified of unfamiliar dogs and people,
traffic, slippery floors, brooms and feet.
My husband picked the name Xochitl, which is an Aztec word for
Flower. The nickname "Chicken-dog" soon followed,
particularly after we discovered that there is a traditional Mexican
chicken soup called "caldo xochitl" or hot flower soup.
Because of her striking pale eyes and coyote-like build, people are
either very attracted or they are afraid of her. One little boy saw
her and started crying that she was a "mean bad dog." Then
there was the woman who ran across the street to tell me "what
lovely carriage" Xochitl had. She ignores them all.
In the seven months that we've had her, Xochitl has relaxed and made
herself at home. All those ribs are now hidden under a sleek coat.
She even won an award for being the most improved dog at her
obedience class! She dances when we come home and loves to go for
rides or hang out with us at our photography/art studio. Her first
photo shoot was really funny. What you can't see in the picture is my
hand just out of frame. I'd been holding her in place until my
husband focused the camera. It took a whole roll of film to get one
picture where she is not on her way out of the shot and back to my
lap. Xochitl is a wonderful family member. She manages to show us
every day how grateful she is to be here, but I think we got the best
part of the happy ending...the wagging tail.
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