Introduction
Hello. My name is Jennifer Andrade and I started A Dog for Life to help others achieve a close and healthy relationship with their canine companions.
My first dog was Oso, a Labrador/Husky mix. I soon discovered that he was all wrong for me and our relationship was limited because of it. He loved the now and cold weather, I loved the sunshine. I preferred indoors, he preferred out…you get the idea.
When I had to make the decision to put 14 year old Oso down because of old age, I was devastated. But soon I started to look forward to a different relationship with a dog. One in which we shared our lived together because we like the same things.
After doing a ton of research on dog breeds and really being honest about what I wanted, I discovered that the Chihuahua breed would be best for me…I know what you are thinking…A Chihuahua! I thought the same thing. But no matter how many times I looked at dog breeds, the Chihuahua was the best choice for me.
When I brought my little one pound baby home, I was very careful to ensure that Leon would not grow up to be a yippy, bitey, monster. I immediately started socializing him and training him whenever I could. He went EVERYWHERE with us and he quickly learned to relax in any and every situation he was in.
At 8 weeks of age, he learned how to sit and by the time he was four months old, he knew down, stay and come. He walked beside me every day on our walks and he attracted attention everywhere.
Now, at 3 years of age, Leon is a calm, happy Chihuahua. And believe it or not, he’s also a therapy dog and a former flyball participant.
No matter where I take him, people tell me that if they were promised a dog like Leon, they would get a Chihuahua in a heartbeat…the funny thing is that I know that ANY dog can be like Leon. All it takes is a little time and a lot of patience and the know how to create a confident, well adjusted dog.
Let me show you how Leon was raised and how you, too, can have the wonderful companion that I get to share my life with.
