Oscar and Rudy, Beating the Odds
Tammy received a call from Paws and Claws Humane Society in Rochester one week ago inquiring if we were still interested in a bonded pair of dogs at their shelter. We first became aware of them a week earlier when Rachel sent us the Facebook post embedded below. Tammy filled out an adoption application for them, but there was a fair amount of interest, so we didn't get our hopes up. We were surprised to learn they were still available because we thought they'd been adopted—which they had, but it didn't work out. We jumped at the chance to have a meet-and-greet with them and made arrangements for that the next day.
They came to us as Latin and Tommy, but I never felt their names fit, so Tammy came up with Oscar for Latin and Rudy for Tommy. That works much better. I was walking them last night, and from behind them, I tried calling, "Latin...Tommy," but they never responded. It seems they never identified with their original names.
They're the sweetest boys and the best of friends! A professional dog trainer friend mentioned that a bonded pair can sometimes have difficulty bonding with their owners. Such is not the case with these two rascals. They love to jump into our laps whenever they have the chance. They're both very much lap dogs, and we love that about them!
They were also not housebroken. We're working on that now with crate training, and while they can be a handful at times, it's going well.
Not knowing their own names and not being housebroken tells me that they were neglected. I find that sad because they're such loving and adorable little boys. I told Tammy that they had beaten the odds to find us. Their bond kept them together while roaming the streets, and they managed to be adopted together! I commented that a higher power brought them to us. Together. I genuinely believe that.
Rudy clearly looks to his older brother to learn life skills. While out walking, Rudy has to leave his mark wherever he sees Oscar leave his. He follows just behind Oscar, allowing him to take the lead. They're both strong little walkers, and I love that. We walk together both morning and evening, averaging about 4 miles (6.5 km) daily.
Rudy usually initiates their wrestling play. I can't help but smile my biggest smile while watching them play, knowing they're finally in a loving home where they will be adored and cared for, as they deserve.
Oscar is likely a bichon/miniature poodle mix and is 3 years old. Rudy's paperwork says he's a shih tzu, but our vet says, with the length of his nose, he's maybe a shih tzu/terrier mix and is 1 1/2 years old. Tammy went out yesterday and got them name tags for their collars, officially making them part of the family!
With that introduction, meet Oscar and Rudy!
That's all I've got.
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