Who Said?

 

Chalena Chihuahua wants to know

Who Said ….

Who is Chalena Chihuahua?


How can you look at my picture and ask who I am? However, if you want to know how I came to be in charge of most everything, you might want to read an excerpt from Angel Kisses, written after Jack Ramsay's heart surgery and near-death experiences and after he told Karin he thought he would like a pet:

"On National Pet Adoption Day, May 6, 2000, Jack suggested we visit a nearby pet store and look over the possibilities. Jack thought a cat might be the best house pet. He tried to pet one that was up for adoption. The animal turned toward him and snarled and hissed. We were about ready to give up when we found ourselves in a back room of the store where animals were being displayed by a group who called themselves The STARS, an acronym for Saving The Animal Rescue Society.

"Suddenly, Karin found a small auburn-haired dog in her arms. One of the rescue group members suggested that we take the dog for a walk around the store. We did and our new friend put on a real show for us. She did not just walk: she strutted.

"A few minutes later we were paying the fee and signing the papers that would make her a member of our family. She was a Longhaired Chihuahua that had been rescued from the Fort Worth Pound and had been given the name “Lena”. Karin found the name “Chalena”, a Hispanic name that meant “A Bundle of Joy”. We decided the name fit, for she had already proved that she could bring laughter and love into our house. When we noticed that “Lena” was the last part of “Chalena” we renamed her. We decided her full name would be Chalena Chihuahua Ramsay.

"The new member of the Ramsay household immediately took charge. Karin and I had begun regular walks in the neighborhood, an activity that was designed to build up my strength. Chalena insisted on leading us on our treks.  

"Wanna go for a walk?"

Sometimes, when we forget, Chalena reminds us that it is time for our walk. Communication is not a problem for Chalena; she is able to make her wishes absolutely clear. I have been slower in learning to understand Dog Language than Karin, but Chalena has insisted that I can and will learn. Sometimes, realizing I am legally blind, she comes in front of me and stomps on my foot with the full weight of her ten pounds. Other times, she comes behind me, takes her foot and catches my house shoe, sometimes causing it to come off my foot. If necessary, she has a special bark just to capture my attention. None of these things does she ever do to Karin, for whom she merely stands still in front until she is sure Karin sees her, then she lowers her head and front legs to the floor, her version of a full court curtsy and a way of saying, 'Please'."
(quoted from Angel Kisses And My Beating Heart by Jack Ramsay, Jr., pages 271-272.)

Chalena, "a STAR alumni", also wants you to know she is the 10 pound Long-hair Chihuahua "in charge of things" for her adoptive home because she is the "cat" Jack Ramsay thought he wanted when he went to see what the STARS were offering for adoption on National Pet Adoption Day.

Chalena stays in touch with her Foster Parents at the STARS (Saving The Animal Rescue Society) and is always glad to meet other foster dogs and cats the STARS are saving for families like the Ramsays.

Chalena says if you want to see other foster dogs and cats
ready for adoption, try
Save The Animal Rescue Society
(STARS, Inc.).