It was with both, fascination and delight, that the words, “Chinese Crested” echoed through my ears having answered the phone.
The only image I could gather in my mind, about this breed, was nakedness! No hair, nada, bald… He would be the first I had seen up close, could not wait…
Jan, Pippin and Zebedee, visited us on site, to firstly, advise me about the pups, likes and dislikes, and also the antics that Zebedee could aspire to, and more importantly, to peruse their accommodation, to ensure it would be Zebedee proof.
The inspection took quite some time, of too-ing an fro-ing from inside to outside, but finally, Jan’s mind was made up. They would both stay in a big dog pen, as there was no avenue for escape.
Also, this young man was gifted with hair, another piece of education for me, they came with and without. Zebedee had a smart haircut, with a top knot, that dangled in his eyes, and from under which, he, no doubt, plotted his adventures.
The day arrived for the pups to begin their stay with me.
Both were an absolute delight, Pippin, who had a lot to say about everything, and Zebedee who wanted to be glued to me the whole time.
It was with absolute astonishment, that, at afternoon playtime, on entering the kennel area, I found a Chinese Crested, prancing down the main aisle, with not a care in the world. Not physically searching for a way out, but hoping, that I would be around the corner, somewhere.
The next step, of course, was, how and where was he escaping, when there was no visible sign of a breakout?
I didn’t have to wait long to find out.
Head underneath the corner, turn the body sideways, and swivel out. How ingenious.! If I had been told he would have been capable, I would not have believed, but there he was, large as life, out again.
I had already tried leaving him free, and pushing the large plastic crate up to the corner of the pen, and using a full watering can on the outside, to hamper the spirited young man. This idea, also, proved totally useless, as he pushed both out of his way, and was off on the freedom trail again.
Eventually, I decided he would have to be tied to the plastic crate, inside his pen to keep him confined. The reverberating thought going around in my mind, “how could I tell Jan, I had lost her precious pup?”
He did not mind this idea, and of course, the crate served as a breakfast table as well, all that was required, was a quick jump, and “wella”, breakfast was served.
Pippin, of course, was not party to this method of viewing the surrounding area, he was quite happy to wait for playtimes, to amuse himself with his mates. He ate his breakfast, with no hesitation, in the same place as everyone else, from his bowl, on the floor.
Having discovered a new method of containment, and not the most ideal, life continued without incident, until the call came, to advise they would be leaving.
I informed Jan I had some lovely photos of Zebedee, not intimating what they contained.
We all had a great laugh, and I was able to heave a sigh of relief, not that they were leaving, as the adventure had been a true learning curve, but that I had not been a party to a precious pup escaping, never to be seen again.
I am looking forward to the next time, this Houdini aka Zebedee the Chinese Crested, comes to stay, there will never be a dull moment.