Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Because you asked...about Smooch

I brought Smooch home from the St. Francis Animal Sanctuary in January 2006, when she was four months old. 
One of my yellow labs had just died, and I wanted a puppy to keep me and my other elderly lab company. 
Both labs had a long history of health problems, so I didn't want another pure bred 
who might be predisposed to particular health issues – I was in search of a mutt. 

I saw her advertised on Petfinder as a "chihuahua mix." Her shelter name was Grace. When I went to the sanctuary 
to meet her, she didn't look anything like a chihuahua to me, but what did I know? I took her for a little walk, 
she seemed like she would be a good match, and that was that. I brought her home. 
"Grace" did not suit her one stinkin' bit, so without a name to call her, I would make a little smooching sound 
to get her attention. And that's the name that stuck ... Smooch.

The picture above is the only one I have from her early days. Her ears were floppy and she was a little smaller 
than she is now, but otherwise she hasn't changed much at all physically. She was quite mischievous as a youngster 
and quickly learned she could open every door in the house by jumping up and pushing down on the handles. 
A bunch of friends came with their horses to stay one weekend and I'll never forget 
coming home with them from a ride to find my dirty laundry scattered all over the front yard. 
That's when I learned Smooch knew how to open doors.



Anyway, she settled into her role as ranch security early on and does a mighty fine job. 
I can't begin to tell you how safe I feel living here, knowing she'll tell me 
whenever something's going on that I need to know about. 




I had her DNA tested and learned she is 25% Chinese Shar-Pei, 25% Australian Cattle Dog (red heeler), 
and 50% unknown origin. In other words, she is a mutt. 




Laura S. asked what kind of food I feed Smooch. She gets one cup of Pedigree dry food twice a day,
plus the remains of every container of yogurt I eat, an occasional Alpo Snap... 



...plus whatever she digs up, which is usually nothing, but my oh my does she enjoy trying.


23 comments:

  1. Smooch is a great companion!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my word did you have me laughing this morning. Love the dirty underwear incident. Maybe you should teach her to run the washer. Mutts are the best and sometimes too smart for their own good. Or should I say our good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You read between the lines, Kathy. I wrote "dirty laundry" and you correctly assumed underwear.

      Delete
  3. I will assume that Smooch "digs" her home ;p

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for answering my question. Smooch is a lucky girl. And very mischievous :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Do you mind if I ask what the DNA testing cost? Very interesting that she has shar pei!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hillary, I did the home testing kit - it's called the MARS Wisdom Panel and you can find it on line for $60 - $70. The kit includes a little brush that you use to swab the inside of the dog's cheek, then you send it to the lab in the envelope they provide.

      Delete
  6. DNA expert that I am, I can tell you that she is 100% fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  7. i have had mutts from the age of 8 years old, me not the dogs... and Smooch is my kind of mutt. she is so beautiful and smart.... we did not test Max, but he looked like he had German shepherd ears, body of a golden lab, and his legs were to short for the size of his body and head, ... hubby sitll cries we he talks about him and he died in 02.

    ReplyDelete
  8. In all honesty, she is simply the best dog I have ever known. Please don't tell my dogs, they carry my heart. It's just that Smooch is so easy going and adaptable to any situation. She just rolled with the punches when you were ill, but remained completely true to you---looking for you at every turn. Give her a 'smooch' from RSS, CeeCee please.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Smooch is one awesome gal. I love her attitude and energy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Smooch is beautiful! My Rocket is a mutt and I rescued him from the shelter. He loves loves to dig! And he keeps his two older siblings on their toes. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Smooch is a bestie for sure. She is a companion for all seasons and reasons. I just love the way you love her and vice versa.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I definitely prefer "Smooch the Mutt AKA laundry thief" to "Grace the Chihauhau mix" - too funny!

    ReplyDelete
  13. My Uncle used to tell me that rescue dogs were the only kind to get since they were not only grateful, but faithful!

    Jo

    ReplyDelete
  14. I was going to say Heeler..she is so heeler in my eyes - must be why I love her so much!

    ReplyDelete
  15. She is beautiful and so lucky that you have each other.

    ReplyDelete
  16. All my dogs are rescues too,some purebred and some not but they are the best dogs ever!
    Love your Smooch!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love this! The story about your laundry made me laugh. Such a clever girl. My Willow LOOOVES cheddar cheese. Her favourite treat, ever! And, it's cheap, too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Smooch is a beautiful girl and you two are the perfect match.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Smooch, the digger! what a smart dog!

    ReplyDelete
  20. An American in Tokyo4/16/14, 6:16 PM

    Oh Smoochie, the cutie!!
    She is so lucky to live with you!!

    ReplyDelete