Chiquita Chihuahua Rescue

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Chiquita Chihuahua Rescue

Rescue♥Rehab♥Rehome♥Repeat
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue of small breed do Find us on Petfinder!

Founded in December 2013, Chiquita Chihuahua Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue of small breed dogs from the high kill metropolitan Phoenix shelters. Specializing in Chihuahuas, I also save other small breeds, especially seniors and those with special needs. http://chiquitachihuahuarescue.petfinder.com

10/05/2026

Good Afternoon!
Here’s the update promised on Miss Mazie:
She is doing well, eating like a champ and is a happy little gal. The antibiotics are definitely beginning to resolve her a**l gland abscess.
Her spay and dental surgeries are confirmed for this Thursday, 10/8 at Daisy Mtn Vet. She’ll also have all her vaccines and get microchipped, and get her infected ears extensively cleansed while under anesthesia.

Tonto is doing fairly well; However, his appetite is not consistent. I have needed to give him a dose of the appetite stimulant Entyce here and there. On occasion, he is still being finicky about the “presentation” of his food. Sometimes it’s ok on his dish, other times on his blanket. It’s trial and error at mealtime. Other than the feeding issue, he feel pretty good, and is up and about to go potty in the yard or wee pads, and performing his, “ Barking dance “, when he finds it necessary. LOL

Please consider donating in one of 4 ways:
* Amazon wish list
* Chewy wish list
* Donate via Zelle (480-299-4349 or
[email protected]).
* Call Daisy Mountain Vet and make a donation
towards the account balance. Please be
sure to advise the funds are for CCR dogs.
They are open Mon-Fri 7:30 AM- 6PM.

Now that I have 3 seniors who primarily eat the Merrick small plates pate, they need many more cans of the chicken pate. I will have options on both the Chiquita Chihuahua Rescue page on Chewy.com and on the Amazon wishlist. Amazon has the 12 pack at the regular price; However, the Amazon price for the 24 pack just spiked up and is ridiculous !!!! The far better option is to send a Petsmart gift card, listed on the CCR Amazon list (CCR has VIPP status and gets lots of reward points at Petsmart), or log into Chewy.com to order from the CCR wishlist.

Thanks for viewing our post and stay tuned for an update when Mazie returns from her surgeries on Thursday evening!

And remember, Miriam is ready for her forever home! Spread the word!! Send an email to: [email protected] if interested in meeting MiMi.

10/04/2026

Announcing the arrival of Miss Mazie, a senior gal from Yuma who hitched a ride on the rescue van to CCR on Thursday. This super sweet chi weighs a mere 4 pounds, has short legs and has a severely receded /soft lower jaw. Much to my relief, she’s’ an eager eater and even performs a little pre- dinner dance.

She met the gang, had some lunch and then a much needed bath, during which I found a severe ear infection and a stinky behind.

She had a planned visit with Dr. Jillson at Daisy Mountain Vet the same day she arrived.
Miss Mazie has 3 active infections:
Very severe dental decay in her remaining teeth.
An a**l abscess.
And severe bilateral ear infections that had so much thick, black exudate in her inner ca**ls that neither myself nor Dr. Jillson could adequately clean them.
She was placed on twice daily Clavamox to start treating the infections.
Yesterday her blood work came back normal with the exception of very elevated platelets which makes no sense. Doc asked the lab to review the slide again and let her know if this is actually true.

So the plan is spay and dental surgery on Thursday 10/8, in addition to getting everything else taken care of while she is anesthetized:
1. She had no vaccines at all at the shelter so she will need the full complement of these including rabies.
2. Her ear ca**ls will be thoroughly cleaned and retreated.
3. Mazie will be microchipped.

I will make another post on Monday with multiple photos and videos I already took of Mazie. She’s so adorable I find myself whipping out my phone every 5 minutes. LOL

On the day she arrived at the CCR house, she ate every mouthful of her lunch, then asked to come sit up with everyone else on the couch. This tiny lady is a survivor and a treasure!

When I post the additional photos Monday, I will include the contact information for donations to be sent directly to the Chiquita Chihuahua Rescue account at Daisy Mountain Vet. They are closed over the weekend.

And Heeeeerrrrrree’s MAZIE!!

09/30/2026

Good Evening CCR family!
Wow! So far behind on posting about Mister Tonto’s follow up vet appt from about 10 days ago:

Lab work run during our visit showed:
1. Pancreatitis resolved!
2. Bladder tap to check urine still showed
cocci type bacteria under the microscope.
Another course of treatment with a
different antibiotic was started.
3. Kidney blood results improving.
4. Stool culture was negative.

His weight is completely unchanged since this episode of illness began. (However, remember that he has lost just over a pound since last year).

So pretty good news considering Tonto is 14 years old. Dr. Jillson and I decided that whatever he wants to eat, that’s OK. (When I was working as a hospice nurse I had a declining patient ask for a Coca-Cola with her lunch, and the family said, “Oh no! That’s not good for you!” I said, “Listen: She can have a Coke at every meal if she wants and even ice cream more than once a day. It’s OK! “. So sort of the same philosophy as the Tonto: We are not getting too crazy with special diets etc. If he wants boiled chicken, then that’s what he gets. If he decides to eat his Merrick canned Lil Plates chicken pate, fine. If he wants to eat the crumbled up Stella and Chewy’s freeze dried turkey or chicken- OK. Or the FreshPet chicken- you got it! As you can seen, Coca-Cola is not on the canine menu here at CCR, but he can eat whatever good stuff he wants. It’s a bit of a challenge and some meals are time consuming because I am unable to predict which available item he feels like eating, and sometimes I have to offer 2-3 different things until I hit a winner. On occasion, he eats from his “special” small round plate, other times won’t touch plated food, but instead decides that he wants me to make teeny balls of his food and “serve” it on his blanket, a few bites at a time. When you are a 14 year old, 4 pound, very shy CCR chihuahua who isn’t feeling so great, it’s apparent that the dog gets to manipulate his long time caregiver (ME!) to acquiesce to his mealtime quirks. OY VEH!!

Overall, great news as far as I am concerned. Some days I can tell he feels more energetic than others because he will come over by me and do his little barking dance on his hind legs.
Thank goodness the other 5 CCR permanent fosters are doing well.

AND MIRIAM has not been adopted yet! She is about 11 years old, healthy and about 5 pounds. She is spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and had her one last tooth removed. She is completely housebroken and has an unusual cat-like personality. She even sounds like a cat when she wants her breakfast or dinner. Miriam is super easy to have around, as being like a feline-brand of chihuahua, she enjoys her personal space and does her own thing. She has no issues at all with any of the various dog personalities here. Her adoption fee is $250.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you are interested in giving “MiMi” a forever family, or spread the word if you know anyone looking for an easy peasy senior chi to join their family. I will post her photo below.

As always, please consider making a donation to the CCR account at Daisy Mountain Vet. Gomer Pyle, (I will post his photo below too), who was adopted from CCR about 7-8 years ago, has a very generous Mom who paid off the previous large DMV balance the vet practice had allowed us to carry over from 2025. The current balance is solely for the costs incurred due to Tonto’s recent pancreatitis and UTI and is just about $1000. Dr. Jillson and I were very judicious with the testing that was done (and declined) to be able to appropriately care for Tonto but still avoid any necessary expenses.
The office of Daisy Mountain Veterinary Hospital is open Mon- Fri, 7:30 AM- 6 PM:
623-551-8387.

09/18/2026

At Daisy Mountain Vet with Tonto for his follow up appt. Appetite has been very spotty. No vomiting. A few poopies have been extremely stinky and like a flat, soft pancake. So a sample came with us to be tested. He is getting a follow up urinalysis via a bladder tap, blood work to follow up his previously abnormal renal values and we will send his stool sample if they don’t check under the microscope here first. Then Dr. Jillson and I will discuss options and next steps to figure out how we may manage the erratic appetite, poopie issue, and possibly unresolved pancreatitis. Of course, everyone here is loving on him since he lets the techs hold kiss and hug him.
Stay tuned for the plan.
Donations needed for the acct account here PLEASE! You can call Daisy Mtn Vet @: 623-551-8387 Mon- Fri 7:30 am - 6 pm.

09/14/2026

Tonto’s pancreatitis continues to improve, but I am hoping this new habit of being a picky eater is not a permanent one! I to see that he is able to gain back some of his weight loss. His newly diagnosed heart murmur is minor at a Grade I-II/VI and he currently has no symptoms. At this time, he does not need any pharmaceutical treatment for his heart condition. His exam also revealed an asymptomatic UTI. He will need a urine culture next week at the time of his follow up visit, to ensure that this was successfully treated last week. Because the urine culture costs about $200+ , @. Jillson agreed with my plan to accept the initial diagnosis of the UTI by relying only on the urinalysis obtained at the time of his daytime hospital stay, since he was going to be treated via an IV broad spectrum antibiotic, followed by the same antibitoic for a full course of treatment at home. This medication would cover the most common bacterial sources of a UTI. That way the $200 +can be spent ONLY at the time of the follow up visit when we do a urine culture for a “test of cure”, to ensure that it has been adequately treated. He’s also going to need a couple of F/U blood tests to see if his renal and pancreatic values have improved after his overall treatment. So more costs will have to be incurred at the time of that visit.

The current balance for Tonto’s care, which is inclusive of his physical exam, blood and urine tests, chest X-ray, IV hydration, various IV medications + home medications and the 2 daytime extended office was $974.21. (The office set aside his personal IV bag of fluids to use the following day so that CCR would not be double charged for a 2nd new bag). This charge is inclusive of our long standing rescue relationship discount with Daisy Mountain Vet.

Any assistance to help cover this current balance would be appreciated, as there are additional expenses coming up for Tonto’s follow up visit next week. No amount is too small. $5, $10, whatever amount would be greatly appreciated. Donation receipts can be provided upon request for tax filings.

The office is open from 7:30 AM - 6 PM Mon - Fri. The phone number is: 623-551-8387.
Please ensure they are aware your donation is earmarked for the Chiquita Chihuahua Rescue account.

Anyone who would like a donation receipt, just send an email to me: [email protected].

Thanks for following CCR and expressing concern for Tonto’s health!!

09/13/2026

Thank goodness Tonto began feeling better on Friday. This is what I saw Friday after him being so so quiet for a week. I was so relieved ! He is only willing to eat his new diet of white meat chicken, and a little fresh pet (Not my fave for sure, but I can only feed him what he is willing to eat). And I am happy that I no longer have to hand feed him- He barely ate for several days in spite of his antibiotics, Cerenia and Entyce to augment his appetite. He got the IV fluids and IV meds while at the vet for the 2 day “day shift” hospitalizations last week. At the time of his exam last week when his symptoms started , he had lost over 1.5 pounds compared to a visit in 2025. That’s a LOT for a tiny old man.
I am just incredibly thankful that Dr. Jillson at Daisy Mountain Vet right here in Anthem was able to treat him both days; The only other choice would have been an emergency vet costing mucho mas dolares! It was still an expensive endeavor, so I will post a request for donations directly to the CCR account at Daisy Mountain tomorrow, Monday when they are open. I had no choice for this beloved little man who had been a permanent foster with CCR for behavioral issues for 13 years.
I will post the photos again in the comments of when he was at the county shelter as a VERY young and handsome boy. He was going to be killed for “human aggression” back when Maricopa County Animal Care and Control gave dogs very limited time - even for rescue to step in. When I went to pick him up, I was shocked at how tiny he was, those very long legs !!! He was quite a handsome boy. He remained facing me, but backed up all the way to the kennel dog door out of fear. He has never bitten; Perhaps he just had some puppyhood trauma or lack of socialization with people or maybe even his puppy pack. He had always had at least 2 doggie friends here that he engaged in nightly wrestling matches. He has not been performing his “loving ritual ” his piggies yet…. LOL that’s when I will know he’s back 101%!

09/09/2026

I got so used to having Clover and Queenie at the house that I completely forget that they are going back home to their Mom and Dad’s tonight!! Sam sent me a text and I was like, “ OH!” Perhaps it was just a senior citizen moment, or they just fit right back in with the pack!!

09/05/2026

Tonto did spend the day again at Daisy Mtn Vet on Friday, getting IV fluids and medications. He ate all his dinner last night, and 1/2 his breakfast this morning. He’s a
Bit more perky but not back to baseline yet. I’ve attached a photo of how he spends his time at the vet, with a pink fuzzy blanket and one of his many (identical) stuffed pigs. It’s the only toy he will play with and has multiple ones in his big “den”. In the past, whenever I would find it in stock in the pet aisle at Home Goods, I would have to purchase whatever they had. They are no longer made by the company, and a few years ago, I found a couple on EBay. I still have one brand new one that is a bit bigger but the same exact piggy. When any are in the washing machine, he waits by the dryer for his piggies. It’s his thing. (Wow I just saw the photo of him at the dryer- He was so much younger!!!- But still does the same thing! ) I will know he is back to normal once he is engaged in his nightly post-dinner salacious act with the carefully selected pig for that night. LOL.
The house guests are doing well and I will add a couple of photos of Queenie and Clover.

09/04/2026

GENERAL PUPDATE and TONTO UPDATE:

I am babysitting 2 of Chiquita Chihuahua’s Humane Society of Yuma alumni: Clover and the appropriately named “Chief of operations”, Queenie. Their Mom and Dad went away for the holiday weekend. (They were previously the parents of senior Mister, who has passed away). Very shy with me at first, it took the girls about an hour to remember who I was. Then Clover was attached to me and Queenie took over the ottoman that the pet steps lead to, which is used for the dogs to get access to the sofa and the multiple available cushy beds/blankies. Although Queenie wasn’t being bossy nor aggressive, not one other dog was willing to use the pet steps to the ottoman- It was just like Queenie had unceremoniously claimed her throne!!! I had to bring a 2nd set of steps out for the other dogs to be willing to come up onto the furniture.

Tonto ate just a few bites of chicken I cooked and then ground last evening; This morning he ate 1/2 of his breakfast. Dr. Jillson and I had decided to leave his IV catheter in last evening, just in case he needed to come back today. Because it is a 3 day holiday weekend coming up, AND Tonto is still being a bit quiet and not eating all of his food yet, I did decide to take him back to Daisy Mountain to get some more fluids and monitoring. I will pick him up this evening on my way home from my temporary caregiver job.

I have posted photos below of Clover, an atypical young girl to be rescued by CCR, and Queenie, her majesty LOL.

Remember that donations can be phoned in to the Chiquita Chihuahua Rescue account at Daisy Mtn Vet Hospital: They are open Mon-Fri
7:30 AM - 6 PM.
623-551-8387

Everybody stay cool and safe and enjoy your weekend!

09/03/2026

Tonto is at Daisy Mountain Vet for the day getting IV fluids, IV antibiotics and pain meds. He has had a markedly decreased appetite for the past 2 days, has been quieter than usual. He last play wrestled with his foster friends Monday evening.
He was diagnosed today with pancreatitis, a urinary tract infection and a Grade 2/6 heart murmur. He’s about 14 years old and came to CCR after being on the E-List at the Maricopa County Shelter when he was only about 1 year old. He was never aggressive, just profoundly fearful. Over the years, I never felt he was adoptable for his own safety, because he does not like to be picked up and remains very timid. I feared if he ever got loose he would be gone forever. He’s an old man now, his last dental removed any remaining teeth and his best friends here are permanent fosters Meredith and PepperCorn.
Regardless of his shyness, he gets very excited when someone that he knows comes to the house like my daughter Sarah or my friend Marinellie. He bounces up and down and wags his tail and comes VERY close to them.
I’ll post a photo in the comments of his rescue day when he was a beautiful, young chocolate boy with very long giraffe life legs!
Any donations for today’s hospital care can be phoned into Daisy Mountain Vet Hospital, and make sure they post any funds to the Chiquita Chihuahua Rescue account (They offer reduced charges to 2 other rescues too!) they are open Monday- Friday 7:30 AM - 6 PM :
623-551-8387.
I will post an update tomorrow evening.

Address

Phoenix, AZ

Website

https://linktr.ee/chiquitachihuahuarescue

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