Cheryl's Pets

Pet Gallery

As long as I can remember, I have had dogs - dogs with definite personalities and strengths. At one time, the neighbour's cat became one of my (unofficial) pets. These pages are a scrapbook of my favourite pictures and anecdotes. Enjoy!

"Ifif"

My first dog was a very small chihuahua named Fifi. We usually called her Ifif.

She lived from 1959-1972.

Taco

"Free chihuahua to anyone who wants one." - Sometime after Ifif had died, I decided it was time for my mother to get a new dog. When I heard the ad on the radio, I jumped at the chance and called the owner.

Taco lived from 1976-1987.

Thumper

What kind of dog do you get when you want a chihuahua-sized dog that's friendly? A Papillon, of course! Meet Thumper, former Canadian Champion.

Thumper lived from 1983-1997

Brandy

What do you do with a Pomeranian who is so vicious i a cage that he cannot be touched, doesn't like children, doesn't like other dogs, and demands lots of attention ... and I had over 30 piano students (mostly children), another dog, and worked during the day? Why adopt him of course!

Brandy lived from 1983-2001

Sparky

A piano student showed me an ad for a chihuahua. I acted on it and ended up with a chihuahua named Sparky - an 8-pound chihuahua! He was supposed to be purebred and certainly had many of the chihuahua traits that Ifif and Taco had - but 8-pounds?

Sparky lived from 2000-2014.

Tyler

I got Tyler to be a companion for Sparky. Tyler had other ideas. It was fun to see his personality develop over time.

Tyler lived from 2000-2013.

Sparky & Tyler

Did they like each other? Probably not. They were so different in many ways: Sparky wanted to play; Tyler wanted attention. But both dogs were dominant. While they wrested (or fought) now and again, I think they reached a mutual understanding and respect.

At times, it was hard to think of one without the other.

Picasso

To begin with, I am not a cat lover. Cats are too independent for me and I don't like it when they're outside deliberately teasing a dog who is inside.

Then there's Picasso. Dates unknown.

Peanut

What do you do when you see a dog who looks depressed, scared and perhaps even terrified?

Why - adopt him, of course if he's up for adoption! My newest pet was a rescue dog, Peanut. One look at his face, and I knew I could him a better home - and possibly get him smiling once more. How could I resist?

Peanut was born in 2008.