by Mike Vo
On June 3, 2001, a 5 year old girl lost her life. She had the most beautiful eyes, cute mouth, and lots of love. She was a 5 year old
Lhasa Apso, who was about to be 6 years old within a the week.
Not only was she a dog, but she was family. She was loyal to whomever treated her well and even followed you everywhere you
went, if she loved you. For a month and a half, she was my best friend.
I originally found her at the SPCA animal shelter in Montreal. That place is, in short terms, a hell-hole. It smells very bad, the
furniture is rotten, the file cabinets are lined with rust, and the ventilation is very poor (which makes it a surprise to see how animals
can survive in that "prison".
I was looking around the cages that they had in that place and came across a very small, thin and timid dog. She was beige with a
light brown spot on her back, had brown on her face, had big and beautiful eyes, and looked up to me with tears. She was very
depressed, seeing that she went from a loving and warm home to a cold and disgusting place as the SPCA. As well, she was
shaking all over and I could not believe that I was seeing such a thing. As I was in shock, I left that place in disbelief.
I had always dreamed about having a dog but was always held back due to my father's allergies. Because I was in such a shock to
see that poor dog suffering, I had no choice but to disobey my parents and spring that poor darling from the clutches of death.
I came back the following day, in hopes that someone had already adopted her, but she was still there. She stared me in the eye
again and I was feeling even more depressed. I then went to the SPCA counter and asked for all her information.
They gave me the specifics: Name: Chou -Chou, Female, Lhasa Apso, 5 years of age, Never bit anyone, very protective of her toys,
lets you know when she's hungry, weary of strangers, previous owner left her here cause he was ill, etc... I was very tempted to sign
the papers right there, but again hesitated, knowing that a more appropriate and experienced owner could come along any second to
pick her up. Again, I went home in disbelief.
That night, I discussed to my mother about what I saw at that dungeon. She then gave me the green light to go and free that poor girl
from that hole. I called up the SPCA to find out if she was still available and told them NOT to put that dog to sleep, for I wanted to
pick her up the next day. And that's exactly what I did the following afternoon.
After a party that my employers threw, in honor of me completing my project, I drove down the the SPCA and met my little
friend-to-be once again. She was still staring up at me and I fell in love with her. I immediately went back to the same woman who
spoke to me the previous day. She read me the same papers and then gave me a leash, so that I could take Chou Chou for a little
walk. I then asked if I could take her into a room in order to interact with her, as a friend of mine who owned a similar dog had
recommended. Chou Chou was so nervous that she refused to go into that room, without being carried in. I put her up on the table
and tried to talk to her, get her to lick my hand, etc... but she was shaking so much that it was to no avail.
I then took her for a walk outside the building, and she seemed to be less nervous, but her shakiness resumed once I took her back
inside. Being an inexperienced dog owner, I was also feeling uneasy about taking her home. I asked what the policy was, in case I
wanted to return her. They told me that I could bring her back, but there would be no refund of any sort. I was then feeling a bit "iffy"
about this whole adoption business, but I realized how normal it was for her to react this way. She was not obeying ANY of my
commands, but would lick the hands of passer-by's. I signed the papers, paid my 180$ and bought her a leash, collar, bag of dog
food, brush, and she was then officially mine.
Before leaving that "alcatraz" of a place, Chou Chou smelled some other dogs in the room and began growling at them, in
anticipation of attacking them. I was very afraid of this and got her out of the building as fast as possible. She was still very nervous
until I put her into the passenger seat of my car. As soon as I started up my car and turned on some music, she lay down and took
a nap. Boy was she relieved to be out of that "penitentiary"! As I was driving, I called up my friend who wanted to meet her, and then
made a stop at his home.
Once inside the apartment, my friend "Z" called out "here boy", with his hands open, and Chou Chou immediately ran to him! "Z"
then whisked her into his arms and she licked his nose. I was so jealous of seeing this but I was happy at the same time. Chou
Chou and my buddy were hitting it off and, for a while, it looked as if she was meant to be his dog! when he put her down, she
immediately began stalking the grounds within his apartment. To me, it appeared that she had thought that "Z" was going to be her
new owner. I then asked if he had anything to give her to eat and he found some turkey breast in his fridge...something that
eventually became one of her favorite meals.
"Z" placed a slice of turkey breast on his kitchen floor and Chou Chou gobbled up the entire piece within seconds. She then went in
to the bathroom and looked at the toilet. I then motioned for her to come into the bedroom. She followed me for a bit, and then went
back to the toilet and stared at me. "Z" immediately guessed that she wanted WATER. And he was right! We gave her 2 small cups
of water and she drank so fast. I can now imagine what kind of crap she was being fed at the SPCA. We then introduced her to "Z"'s
bedroom. Chou Chou tried to jump up onto his bed but it was to high for her, so I tried to lift her up..and she ALMOST bit me! I then
thought that the dog didn't like me at all and wanted "Z" to be her owner instead! In my mind, I thought "good idea"! Once "Z"'s
parents came home and rang the doorbell, Chou Chou immediately walked towards the door to answer it. It was like "wow!". 2
minutes at this apartment and she was already feeling at home!
His parents liked her so much and even offered to keep her over , if I ever went on vacation. His parents then left to go shopping for
groceries and we, once again, led her into the bedroom where she finally made her way it onto "Z''s bed by herself and immediately
began to sleep. I can also imagine the lack of rest and trauma that she had experienced at the SPCA (a.k.a. Slaughterhouse Five).
I then told my friend "Z" that I had to get home for a few hours, but would return within 3 hours to get her. We didn't want to bother
Chou Chou from her well-deserved rest. Deep inside, I was hoping that "Z"'s parents would fall in love with the dog and eventually
become her new owners, since his mom had been around dogs all her life.
This though probably almost worked until I found out that his mom had been bitten an hour later! I was at home watching T.V. when I
got a call from my friend to come and pick up the dog. I was very worried for both his mom and Chou Chou. I soon learned that Chou
Chou was moved from the bedroom to the living room. "Z"'z mom wanted the dog to sleep on the footstool, but Chou Chou kept on
jumping off and onto the couch. This pattern repeated at least twice before Chou Chou apparently lost her patience and bit.
My mom accompanied me to pick Chou Chou up. Once I arrived back into the apartment, I saw Chou Chou sitting on the couch with
what appeared to be a smile...this is the first time that I noticed her cute brown lips. I then picked her up in my arms and carried her
downstairs to my mom, who was sitting in the passenger seat of my car. Her first words, when she saw Chou Chou, were "She's so
cute!". As I was driving Chou Chou rode in my mom's arms. As I stopped by Wal-Mart to buy a dog food dish, some dog shampoo,
and a dog toy, Chou Chou stayed in the car with my mom and was shaking during the whole time.
I had to tell my mom about the god biting "Z"'s mom and she relayed that to my dad who was less than amused to hear that. As I
was being yelled at, I left Chou Chou in my backyard with some water and dog food. She didn't touch either of it and kept on staring
at me when she saw me. I saw her shivering, so I took her by the leash to bring her in. Once we got to the stairs, she "put on the
brakes" and refused to go any further. I tried a light tug to get her moving, but she resisted and and even made a little "you're getting
on my nerves" growl. It was only then that I had realized that she didn't know how to climb stairs! I then picked her up in my arms
and brought her into my bedroom, in the basement and lay her lay down on the bed. Once again, she took a nap. I closed the door
to my room and went back upstairs to argue further.
I was getting yelled at so much that I was even ready to bring her back to the hell-hole. When my dad went downstairs to see her
on my bed, he was again yelling at me. I then made a little bed for her in a plastic box, old jackets, and blankets, but she jumped
right out of it, once I tried to place her there. It was so sudden that I thought she was going to bite me as well. I then allowed her to
sleep on my bed. Anyway, it was so cute to see her little body curled up on the mattress. My mom saw her lying there and was
amazed at how cute Chou Chou was.
Once my dad had a good look at her, he then said that "she's nice". He then offered to make a home for her outside, but we decided
against it, knowing that it would rain and we'd have to eventually take her inside when it gets cold.
My dad, finally came up with an idea to give Chou Chou over to some relatives. My mom made some calls, telling her relatives that
we had a "lhapso" (not knowing that the species was actually "lhasa apso").
One of my aunts agreed to take her in, so off we went! Chou Chou rode in the back seat with me and napped the entire way. At one
point we made a stop at the convenience store to make xerox copies of the SPCA forms. While I was inside, I had my mom go sit in
the back seat with Chou Chou, in order to keep her from falling over, etc.. Once we arrived at my aunt's place, my mom carried her in
and Chou Chou was happy at ease! My aunt and her family were so happy to recieve such an adorable little dog.
We stuck around for about 30 minutes, while I went over some "do's and don'ts" about the dog. During that time, Chou Chou walked
around the living room and even began walking toward anyone who called her name. We were assured that my aunt had many dogs,
while living in Viet-Nam, including a lhasa apso.I was so proud of what I had accomplished, despite the fact that I couldn't keep the
little girl. Everyone in that house was happy and, once again, the dog jumped onto the couch and took a nap (something that
became her "trademark" later on!).
On the first official full-day at her new home, we heard so many good things about little Chou Chou. She tugged at people's legs and
showed her way to the door whenever she had to pee. She followed people to the door when they were on their way out, hoping that
they'd take her with them. She'd be more than happy to accompany any of them, just for the pleasure of riding in the car alongside
her owners! It appeared to be a match made in heaven! The father, who was normally a quiet type loved the dog and stuck up for
Chou Chou whenever my aunt would yell at her. Everybody bought her gifts... a bed, toys, a blanket, and of course bones.
On the 3rd day, my cousin (the oldest daughter) called me up to tell me that she thought Chou Chou was sick. The dog had not
been eating (not even the "Pedigree" food that was written on the SPCA form as part of her normal diet).
Once I arrived at the house and rang the doorbell, the next morning, Chou Chou came running to the door and greeted me! She
remembered me and jumped up to lick my hands and face! She had remembered the one who rescued her from "Slaughterhouse
Five" and showed her appreciation! She was no longer nervous around me and was a totally different dog!
We took her to see the SPCA veterinarian and she was once again very nervous to be back inside that hole. As we waited for the vet
to see us, she was shaking all over... even more than the day I took her home. We tried to calm her down, but she was way too
nervous...naturally. She licked my face a lot, most probably saying "please, get me out of here. I'm a good dog"! All the vet told us
was to give a a few days. She had just been in her new home for 2 days and still did not fully recover from her shock. We were still
worried, but the vet turned out to be right.
Once we got out of that stench hole, my dad (who had driven us there) stood in front waiting for us. Chou Chou ran up to him and
tried to climb up his pants to greet him! She had only known him for about 10 minutes and she remembered him!
When Chou Chou went home, everything was back to normal. She was relieved and went back to the couch to rest, allowing me to
pet her, while she licked my hands.
As days went by, we only heard good things. I came by to the house on the weekend to visit my poor little baby. She greeted me
again! She was smiling and I had noticed that she had a piece of chicken dangling from her teeth! It was the best news I've heard al
week! She had begun to eat! My cousin, the only male child of the family, told me that she enjoyed rotisserie chicken, McNuggets,
pepperoni, and milkbones! I played with her for the entire day and she even followed me to the door when it was time to go home. I
knew that I loved that dog and that I would never take her back to the dreaded clutches of the SPCA.
I visited her every weekend and she was always happy to see me. I would walk with her around the block, watch T.V. with her, and
take her to the supermarket to buy her some turkey breast! In fact, the first time that I brought her some turkey, she followed me into
the kitchen and climbed up my legs while watching me open the package. As I snipped open the plastic wrap, she stared up at me
with those beautiful brown eyes! Oh! What an adorable dog! My aunt was so happy to have her, that she even said (and I quote) "it's
like having a fourth child in the family".
As days passed, Chou Chou was feeling more and more like a real person. She ate like us (she disliked dog food, but embraced ice
cream, apples, bananas, and even cake), slept like us (ditched her dog bed and enjoyed sleeping with my cousins in their beds!),
and walked like us (she eventually learned to climb stairs). The only problem was that she began to behave like us! To most people,
this is not a problem, since lhasa apso's believe that they are equal to humans. This dates back to ancient Tibet, where they were
symbols of good luck. They were placed in buddhist temples as guards. Anyone who received a lhasa apso in those times was
considered "blessed".
That's exactly how I felt being around her. Not only was she a dog, she was my best friend...the most loyal one I've ever had.
Everyone in that family loved her and thought of her in the same way...except for my aunt. Little did I know, when her children were
not around, my aunt scolded the poor puppy and even beat her. There was once even an incident where my aunt wanted Chou Chou
off the couch and went to the extreme of yanking her tail. However, these details were hidden from me until last minute.
At one point, my cousin and her boyfriend tried to clip Chou Chou's nails. With the boyfriend restraining Chou Chou, the poor dog felt
threatened and bit him in self-defense. It was simply reacting the way a human would. None of us like being put into a "straight
jacket" or being pinned down.
After a month and a half, since Chou Chou entered her new home, my Grandfather passed on. It was an especially sad moment for
me, knowing that he was the last living Grandparent that I had left.
Many guests came to stay over at my relatives house. Any good lhasa apso owner would know that these particular dogs are weary
around strangers. They can be dangerous, to any unsuspecting stranger who falls for their "adorable" appearances. Just as we
humans are suspicious of strangers coming into our homes, these dogs feel the same way. Why else would the Tibetan monks
employ them as guard dogs? They are small, but tough when need be!
Unfortunately, because of this, Chou Chou reacted accordingly and bit 2 of my visiting relatives. They were quite understanding, but
my aunt (who already had beef with the dog) did not. One morning, my aunt tried to move Chou Chou out of the way, so she could
get into the car. Seeing how my aunt treated her in the past, Chou Chou acted in self-defense and bit her once more.
My aunt was then determined to rid the dog from her home. Despite protest from the rest of her family, she did not care. She took
NO time in listening to reason and went to the extreme of parading her scar to everyone. She told everyone that the dog bit her and it
is a mean dog... of course conveniently leaving out the details about how she treated Chou Chou in the past. I witnessed this
immature behavior myself and was disgusted.
Just the week before, she was raving about how much the dog reminded her of having a fourth child. Now, all I was hearing was "she
bit me, I hate her, she's mean". The "coup de grace" came when she personally told me that she had many dogs in the past,
including a lhasa (yeah right) and beat every one of them! "No dog should bite it's master!" she yelled. I could not understand why
she was behaving this way. To me, she did NOT even mention that the dog bit other people (I had to hear that from my cousins). It
was all "dog is mean, dog bit me, get it out of my house". As well, she said "I bought her a bed, I bought her blankets, I was going to
make her a shirt!... no dog should bite it's master!".
First of all, Chou Chou was NOT mean. She simply reacted the same way any human, any being, would! And since when does
buying things make you a dog's master?!?!?! A dog is only loyal if he/she is treated well. As the world famous Mark Twain once
wrote : "If you feed a hungry dog, and show it a prosperous life, he will never bite you. That is the difference between a man and a
dog". What does a dog care if you bought it a golden water bowl or a "Tommy Hilfiger" collar?!! You only get respect form a dog if
you treat him/her accordingly!
Chou Chou was NO exception! That cuddly dog NEVER once bit me, since I treated her like my own child. I loved her and she loved
me right back. Same goes for anyone else who had the privilege of loving her.
Whenever Chou Chou would go somewhere she wasn't supposed to (e.g. neighbor's driveway), I'd simply wish her into my arms and
tell her gently "no, Chou Chou. Don't got there, baby. Come with me!". And 99.9 % of the time, it would work.
My aunt had lied to us all, about her supposed "experience" with lhasa apso's and the price of her ignorance was the life of my best
friend, my little girl, and love of my life. My Aunt even got her older daughter on her side, saying that "she could bite other people".
I could not believe they were doing this to a fellow family member! What if one of her actual daughters or son was causing trouble?
Would my aunt had sent them away too?!?!? This was an outrage! The youngest daughter tried to reason with her mom, telling her
about the behavior's of lhasa's, but my aunt would NOT listen! She turned her back on her own daughter as well.
Chou Chou even approached my aunt and licked her legs, most probably apologizing, but my aunt said "go away and stop licking
me!". I then picked her up consoled her.
I was so depressed and confused that I did not put up a bigger fight on her part. I know that I could have done much more to save
her, including taking her home to find her a new owner. However, I didn't think anyone would want her after knowing that she had bit
people. My mind was so muddled that I was useless and I will forever apologize to my little baby for not acting at the time of her
need.
My aunt was such a coward, that she even tried to get me to do her dirty work. My mom then intervened and said "it's your dog, do it
yourself". My aunt then got her daughter's boyfriend to take her to the SPCA. And of course, he had no problem doing this, since he
himself was unfortunate enough to have had a bit from Chou Chou! To the last minute, Chou Chou stood by my side. When she was
about to leave the house for the last time, I couldn't bare the pain at watching her, so I went upstairs and she followed me! as they
carried her down, I told her "Chou Chou, no matter what happens. I love you".
After all the times in my life that I had to stand up and fight, for some reason, I couldn't do it this time around...when it was needed!
My mind went blank!
Chou Chou was taken to the SPCA... back to the hellhole to be traumatized one last time. To his credit, the guy told the worker
NOT to put her to sleep, but to simply find her a home with less people and no children. The worker then asked for him to bring my
visiting relative, who was the last one bitten, to the SPCA for rabies. For an unknown reason. "boyfriend" decided that it wasn't
important and dispelled the importance of such a testing.
I went home in tears and wrote an e-mail to my friend who has a lhasa, telling her how heartbroken I was.
In the morning, my aunt gave her children the choice of retrieving the dog. The condition was "if you bring her back, then you cannot
stop me from yelling at her or beating her". without knowing that poor Chou Chou would be put away, the children decided that it was
best for her to be adopted my someone else who won't abuse her
As soon as my friend read my email, she called the SPCA immediately in order to save Chou Chou's life. But as it turned out, she
was too late. My little adorable female sidekick had been put to sleep.
Other than examining the person who was bit, the only other way to test a dog for rabies is to put it to sleep. And once the SPCA
knows that a dog has bitten, the Federal Government gets involved and obliges them to put a dog to sleep, it the person bitten is not
available.
This could have been all avoided if "boyfriend" had agreed to bring my visiting cousin to be looked at. Chou Chou's life could have
been spared.
However, I do not pin the blame solely on him. I also take a big responsibility in this. After all, it was me who adopted her and tried to
give her a new life. However, I do pin the majority of the blame on my aunt who was careless, thoughtless, selfish, and ignorant.
She was told by my other aunt to read books on these dogs, but was too proud to do so, saying "don't worry, I know all about them".
Because of this ruthless and impulsive lady, she has brought sorrow to her children, her husband, and especially me.
Upon learning about the death of my baby puppy, I stormed into the house where all of my relatives, out-of-town relatives, and my
mom were chatting. I then shouted "If Di Khanh" (aunt Khanh) had half a brain, my dog would still be alive!". My mom then
ordered me to calm myself and stop being rude. I simply shouted out even louder "NO!". And left the house, most probably for good.
Obviously my mom was embarrassed to see me behave this way in front of the entire clan, however I knew that if there was ever a
time to do it, it was "now". After all, they too are my family and they have the right to know exactly how I feel. I did not at all care
about how they reacted. They all stared at me as if I were crazy.
I was in tears, more than I can remember. More visiting cousins came to console me. They were much younger than me, but I swore
and swore with no regret. My mom finally came out and wanted me to calm down. This, as most people who wrongfully have lost a
love one would agree, was impossible.
I eventually went into my car, followed by my cousins who were on my side, and cried myself to this day.
One of my other aunt's came out to console me. She revealed that she also lost a dog in a similar way and agrees with me 100%.
My cold-blooded aunt, who was responsible for the "execution" of her "fourth child" will undoubtedly begin to spread rumors about
me, eventually getting me blackballed from the family. She has always been the biggest gossiper of the entire clan and normally
gets her way. I couldn't give a shit.
If I were Chou Chou and Di Khanh pulled MY tail, I'd bite her 2 times! Since I share the same feelings as Chou Chou towards my
FORMER aunt, she might as well put me to sleep too!
I made it clear to the entire family that I do not want to speak to this woman ever again and she is no longer my aunt.
Chou Chou was a special dog with special needs, considering she was very "human". She deserved much better than this. If anyone
had to be put to sleep, it should have been none other than Di Khanh. She even told the entire family that she planned to buy a
younger puppy who wouldn't bite her for being her "master".
That was the most miserable week that I've ever had in my life. Not one but TWO family members left the land of the living.
I regret not "rebelling" in front of the family at the time when Chou Chou needed me most. I failed her and I don't know if I can ever
love another dog as much as I do her. She will always be in my heart and I hope the runs to the doors to greet me once I reach the
gates of Heaven. I hope to then be united with my little girl, my best friend, my sidekick once again for eternity and that my
Grandparents take good care of her until then.
In conclusion, I beg of ALL present and future pet owners to take care of their pets. No matter how much your pet makes a mess,
spoils your rug, or pushes over your vase, just remember that he/she loves you and will never turn his/her back on you. Please
remember this before EVER turning you pet into the dreaded SPCA. They waste not time in putting down dogs who have bitten. It
seems to me that they're more interested in "animal control" rather than placing an abandoned pet into an appropriate home.
If you absolutely MUST place your pet in a shelter, then please make it a shelter with a NO KILL policy (Montreal has the Miaouf
foundation"). At least do your very best to find him/her a home.
Pets (whether they are dogs, cats, birds, parrots, guinea pigs, hamsters, or fish) have EVERY right to live alongside humans. They
are NO LESS of a being than you are! They have every emotion that we have and, unlike humans, they will forever be loyal to you if
you treat them accordingly.
Please do not make the same mistakes that I've seen and even done, for most people never know a good thing until they lose it.
As well, careless and immature people will most probably repeat this pattern.
If it ever DOES happen that a special pet of yours wrongfully dies, you should react accordingly (see "DO THE RIGHT THING"...a
Spike Lee Joint). That is also a mistake that I made, although it had crossed my mind when I stormed into my uncle's place).
Actually, don't do that unless you REALLY have to resort to violence in order to get your point across.
I am praying every day that Chou Chou forgives me. Even though she no longer walks by my side, she is forever alive in my heart.
Mike