What My Chihuahua Can Teach Us About Survival
I found this little dog a few months ago near my place. Someone had apparently abandoned her by the roadside. Probably, because they could not afford to feed her, or they moved to a complex where dogs aren’t allowed.
No matter, I was lucky to find her. She is the most intelligent of my three dogs and her loyalty is uncanny. For instance; she is fine with me talking to someone as long as they stay their distance – get closer than 3 feet and the barking starts.
Touch me or make any kind of aggressive behavior and you’ll have 10 pounds of psycho dog attacking you.
A few weeks ago the girlfriend and I were play fighting, when she pulled her leg back to kick at me, the dog attacked, biting her inside the right thigh, leaving teeth marks that pierced the skin. Needless to say, my girlfriend wasn’t very happy.
So what can my pint sized bodyguard teach us about survival?
Like most survivalists, she is a hoarder. Most dogs have a natural instinct to hide food, but this one is the most proliferate hoarder that I’ve seen. She manages to hide at least 25% of food that I put in her bowl.
She has dozens of food caches scattered around the area and she is smart enough to find hiding places that the bigger dogs can’t get into it. I mean this dog can fit through a 5 inch opening, places where the other dogs can’t start.
We survivalists would be wise to do the same. Having several caches of food and gear hidden around our area is a good idea and cheap insurance, if we get cut off from our main food storage supplies for some reason. Things happen – remember Murphy’s Law
Another thing we can learn from this little dog is to always be on alert for potential threats. She is always scanning the area, looking for intruders. Her detectors seem to always be turned on – anything out of the ordinary and she is alerted.
It seems humans have lost their alertness. Most people are so preoccupied with themselves that they have no idea of what is going on around them. They make themselves easy targets.
I’m not saying you should be in a state of constant red alert, the stress of such a lifestyle would probably kill you before an aggressor. What I am saying is, be more attuned to your surroundings, don’t get into the habit of walking around blind to what is going on around you.
Pay attention. Sometimes, something small can alert you to potential danger. For example, let’s say it’s been raining most of the day, you get home from work and notice the pattern of moister on the doorknob has been disturbed by someone turning the knob. Be like this little dog – pay attention. It could save your life.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that she isn’t afraid to run if the situation necessitates it. She will go after the biggest, meanest dog that wanders into her territory. But the thing is, she knows when to run. If the fight is too much and she has no chance of winning, she isn’t above running to me for help or hiding.
To many of us the idea of running or hiding from danger is unthinkable. But sometimes it does make sense. No matter how well armed we are we can not win every battle. When it’s your family one casualty is to many.
Sometimes the best way to win a battle is to avoid the fight altogether. Other times it may be necessary to retreat to a better location offering a tactical advantage.
Take a lesson from this little Chihuahua – don’t be too brave - avoid a fight that you know you can’t win.
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I can't believe you have a girlfriend.
Pete Colorado
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Pete,
We don't live together – but we do "visit" a few times per week…I am human.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Reminds me…
…It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
…My aunt a long time ago when I was little had a male Cairn terrier that would chase any other dog away from "His" house. One day I was in the back yard when out of the bushes ran 2 Dobermans! I was frozen in fear as they ran at me growling. Then suddenly 20 pound Laddie came racing out of the garage to my rescue! He ran those big dogs all over the neighborhood yellping and whining while he ran under them biting at there bellies and other parts. He was my favorite dog from that point on. He lived to be 18 years old, and no dog ever ran on his turf.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Cute dog M.D. whats his name?
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I have a long haired Chihuahua mix which is ironically the best alert mechanism we have. She is very alert about her surroundings & will begin barking which initiates my German Sheppard barking. The German Sheppard is intimidating, but too friendly in some cases. My house was unfortunately burglarized several times over the years, now I have security systems, security cameras with dvr’s, motion lights & alarms. Everything expensive is locked away in safes. All gates are locked surrounding the property, as the list goes on. The little dog appears to be the best deterrent to strangers, but she is friendly towards anyone around us. My fiancée & plan on building a new house in 2010; she may not like my new security plans? Underground bunker maybe? Probably end up sleeping in the bunker with the two dogs perhaps? MD……….its great you have a girlfriend. I’ve been dating this gal nearly six years. She is a democrat, me obviously, far opposite. We have some interesting debates for sure……but we try to listen to each other’s objective. I have since gone to the far conservative side if anything. Builds character.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Toaster 802,
Some dogs are just exceptional like that.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Ken,
It's a female – named Faith.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Tony,
I know what you mean. My other dogs sleep most of the time – that is until the chihuahua starts yapping.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
M.D. the moister on the doorknob thing was a great tip. Never thought of that could give advanced warning to someone being in the house before you enter.
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
My neighbor has a male chihuahua named Mojo. Toughest dog around. The only problem is I have the toughest cat,an orange male tom named Cheddar-Bob. Tornado season is year around here. Great to hear you have a girlfriend. The only thing I can brag about is my wife of 31 years. Happy holidays everyone!
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Mechanic in Illinois,
31 years with the same woman, I'd say you have earned the right to brag. Merry Christmas.
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Glad to hear you have a lady friend. It is probably a bit idealistic to say there is someone for everybody. It is still nice when people are happy.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:14 am
DOGS ARE COOL.MY DOG IS A ROTTIE NAMED BOBO.HE IS GOOD COMPANY FOR THE WIFE AND IS ALSO GREAT GUARD DOG.SINCE HE IS A HOUSE DOG HE IS SPOILED LIKE I THINK YOUR DOG IS MD.MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY.FROM JAY IN NC
December 24th, 2009 at 12:25 am
My wife like OBama…and I still let her stay. Gald you have both a good guard dog and a girl friend. When I was a kid we had a toy fox terrier that was pretty brave. till it was time to retreat. I think a chichahua is better on the balls department though.
December 24th, 2009 at 1:27 am
the moisture being disturbed on the door knob is a great tip! two years ago i pulled up to my somewhat secluded home at night. when i got out of my truck there was a very heavy smell of cigarette smoke lingering in the air ,and neither i nor my wife smokes. i leaned back in and grabbed my berreta .9 mm and stuck it in my front pocket. i walked to the front door as if to unlock it then reached up to the automatic security light and unscrewed the bulb. i rattled my keys, made a big loud production of opening the door then locked it and shut it back,staying outside. i quickly and quietly stepped into the shadow of my carport and a few minutes later i see a head peak around the edge of my house.he eased around the corner and stepped up to my truck opened the door and the light shined on him enough for me to make out his size and check for a weapon.i said in my deepest dirty harry voice trying to cover up the shake in my voice and hands and told him to back out of the truck with his hands in the air. i made him put his hands on the edge of the truck while i called my neighbor who is our small town police chief and a full time sheriffs deputy.the deputy/chief showed with gun drawn ,and when it was all over with ,it turns out the man ran out of gas and was going to steal some from under my tool shed,then deciced to break in when he realized no one was home. he had taken a screw driver from under my tool shed and had tried to pry open my back door when he heard me drive up. so yes md being aware at all times at pays off. if it was anything else i may not have noticed it but i absolutely detest the stench of cigarettes and that was what , at minimum prevented a break in and at maximum ,pehaps a death(his or mine) he went to jail on attemted burglery and had an arrest record that spanned several sheets of paper. ALWAYS REMAIN AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!!!
December 24th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Great post M.D. Had one when I was a kid bravest dog I've ever seen watched him chase Lg shepard all over neighborhood,attacked a great dane that one put him in vet hospital, he not smart enough to run.Hmm lesson learned.true story!
December 24th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Our family had a dachshund when I was a kid, named after my dad's mother. We called her Dirty Gertie. Scared off intruders, but came nose to nose with a big rat one day and ran the other way. But still, she was a good little watchdog! Kudos to you M.D. for rescuing your little canine buddy and giving her a good home. FYI, there was an article in the LA Times yesterday, Dec 23 – about the Governor seeking more federal aid due to the huge State deficit. Pretty grim scenario. I don't believe the media when then say the economy is recovering. Duh!
December 24th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Merry Christmas! Thanks for all your work on the blog and helping us all prepare. Let's pray that 2010 is good to us, despite all indications to the contrary. (hey, that's why we prep!)
Little dogs are awesome, they have no sense of size, and no end of heart. I hope Faith looks after you for many years.
December 29th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Awesome dude, awesome..