Collared today: Chapin, who's 17-years-old!
NAME: Chapin (as in Mary Chapin Carpenter).
OWNER: Jane Ballentine.
HOW THEY MET: We met in the reception area of the Baltimore Zoo, (now Maryland Zoo) Mansion House. Chapin had been tossed out of a car in front of the Reptile House in Druid Hill Park and was rescued by zoo staff. She was being cuddled while waiting for a ride to the SPCA. I walked in, and saw this “little black dog with little brown ears” and fell in love. I begged my husband to let us adopt her, and 5 days later she came home with us. That was 17 years ago this month.
AGE: 17+.
HOME: Baltimore.
BREED: Long-haired dachshund/border collie mix, we think!
BEST TRICK: Before arthritis kicked in, Chapin would dance in circles on her hind feet for a treat.
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FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Long ago – herding other dogs. Now, it’s napping.
FAVORITE FOOD: iceberg lettuce, the crunchier the better.
FUNNIEST MOMENT: When I picked her up at the SPCA, she would not stay in the passenger seat of my car. She kept crawling into my lap. I would pull over, put her back in her seat and drive on. After the 3rd time, I just left her in my lap. To this day she prefers to ride in a lap while in car.
BROUGHT MOM AN EARLY PRESENT: She is the immediate cause for the early birth of my son. I was 8 ½ months pregnant. Chapin snuck out of the house and got into a squabble with a neighborhood dog. I tripped and fell while trying to break up the fight. I broke it up and the only injury was to me – my placenta was abrupted and I had to be induced and deliver my son that day. Oh, I ended up with a C-section and a broken arm too.
IF CHAPIN HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Don’t touch my food!
Comments
What a credit to Jane for such a happy and healthy looking dog at 17! No doubt it's because of all the love on both Jane's and Chapin's part from the moment they met. Or maybe it's the lettuce? ; ) Best to both!
Posted by: Anna | November 13, 2009 6:16 PM