Walter The Senior Pet
Saturday, November 12, 2011
By: LeAnn Nussrallah (NHS Groomer)

Shy canine of the Latin persuasion seeks soft lap to snuggle on. Likes include: soft food, going for walks, gentle people and quiet activities.

Walter is a 10-year-old Chihuahua who came to the Nebraska Humane Society as a stray.  This little guy waited in the stray kennels in the back of the shelter for an owner who never came.

He was already neutered when he got to the shelter.  An examination by the shelter’s veterinarian found that Walter was missing many teeth and he walked funny.  After even closer examination, it was discovered that Walter needed some of his remaining teeth pulled.  Broken, infected teeth can cause excruciating pain.

Walter’s funny walk is caused by bad knees.  Smaller dogs suffer from knee problems more than larger breed dogs, it seems.  Some of this is due to bad breeding practices, injuries, genetics; or in Walter’s case, age.

Knee operations require extensive rehabilitation for the pet.  This, along with his age and the fact that his knees do not seem to cause him pain, contributed to the decision to not operate on him.

Walter is a “Blue Dot” dog, meaning he is a little shy experiencing new things.  A kind word and a soft touch is all it takes for him to become your friend.  Volunteer dog walkers at the shelter say that Walter is shy, gentle, lovable and easy to walk.

His Meet Your Match evaluation pegs him as a Purple, “Constant Companion.”  This means he is low maintenance and is happy just to be by your side.

Walter is an easy-going little guy.  He is easy to groom and easy to keep happy.  He lives life with gusto, wagging his tail along the way.  Someone in his life simply forgot about him, but he doesn’t let that dampen his spirits.  He deserves a comfy retirement villa with people that love him.