Itty Bitty Abe Vigoda - the World's Oldest Hedonist.
 

Here's a few pictures to start with:

Dayum but he's a cutie!

He looks right swanky their lounging by the pool!

That's a cute (elderly) pup.

Normally not a fan of the little dogs, but something about him...

CUUUUUUTE!

I wasn't a chihuahua fan until my friend (named Lisa!) brought over Dixie, a cute little longhair chi. Dixie started playing with Mellie (our very large and pathetically playful Akita/Aussie shep mix) and it was the sweetest thing ever- they chased each other around the kitchen island, then Dixie tried to drag away one of Mellie's brontosaurus bones. Mellie and Dixie are now best friends and have play dates all the time. I'll have to get a pic and post it!

Abe is a keeper- he's got it going!:snap:

Cute little old doggy! I love him! :snap:

He is cute!

But I thought this thread was going to be about Fish from the Barney Miller TV show from the 70's!

Abey baby! Loungin' on a silk robe. (We need to get him one of his own.)

well, between the lounging by the pool, adoration of all things bacon and his total hedonistic behavior during our little outting (although he was the only one allowed to poop on the lawn), hes proven himself one of us to be sure.

Im sure thats the kinship you feel

What a cutie, and he IS itty bitty!

awww- cute puppy puppy!

In my deepest manly voice..........I love the ittle wittle little doggie:)

I heard your manly deep tones, but let me tell you soemthing,

When you are faced with an elder pup, whose back bone and hips you can feel through the skin, and you know he was foraging wild for two weeks, and that he has no visible teeth... and for two days in order to get any food in him at all someone has to hold his head and place the food inside.....

you dont need to use the manly voice.
Abe is unconcerned with machismo.
He likes the un-manly puppy dog voice. It means you might have bacon.

And when you get down to it, isn't that all that really matters?

Bacon, yes!

If you had seen this very weak dog liven up to the crunch of Eliza's bagel, thinking she had bacon, yes, you would know for sure, bacon is all that really matters.

I have never wanted to own a little sewer rat dog before. Now, I'm practically planning on it.

We took him with us as we stopped in downtown PS for Monday dinner. He's too little and weak to walk so we carried him. I had Chris carry him part of the time and the adoring looks he got from gay men and old ladies was heartwarming. NM took the initiative and put his arm around Chris. He didn't want anyone thinking he was single. ;)

Abe's doing good. He's eating and that's a good thing. He did pee in the house, which was not a good thing. But, I'm sure he's confused. He had gotten used to our wonderful PS house. Funny, so did I.

Try the piddle pad thing we talked about, I'm curious now.

Dogs will use the puppy pads.

Unfortunately it instilled in my dog a love for peeing on all things plastic.

BTW: Puppy pads are great for cleaning up home plumbing disasters. Don't ask me how I know.

Abe is a funny little dog. Since he was found on the street, my understanding was that we knew, we, Lisa, very little about him.

However, when he decided he needed to poo, he walked into the bathroom.

When he was eating bacon, and told Last Piece, he wandered away after he ate it.

Little things that made me, and Lisa once I said them out loud, wonder.. huh. Is he box trained maybe? Or pad trained? he did go into the bathroom.

So odd when they wont tell you what they know.

So are sanitary pads. And don't ask me how I know that one either. ;)

Dog near death he is
bacon is life elixer
a dogs life renewed

Wait... we weren't allowed to poop on the lawn?

So, I bought Abe a smaller "house" that looks like a fleece quonset hut. He went into it but then stuck his head out and looked at me. Something was wrong. I check the hut for cat invasion but found no cat. So, I got a towel and stuffed it inside. He could hardly wait to get into it now that it has a binky.

I'm sort of wondering if I should keep him. It scares me a little bit. But, he really is so easy. The cats are doing great with him and he's doing pretty good with the potty thing. It's just stressful getting into a rhythm with him.

wow. hard call. I understand your hesitance though

follow your heart

Oooh - I can't wait to meet the Itty Bitty one...

He looks like a good suitor for Lucy...

He does need a trophy wife.

I took him to 2nd Street tonight and everyone was cooing over the "puppy". Everyone wanted to know how old he was. They were all a bit surprised when I said "17".

People say that about some of my dates.

Wait... where did you go? Did you have yummy food? Heroin chicken? Crepes? OH! *sigh*

Heroin Chicken. And, Abe loves it too. He was sitting on my lap when the food came and he almost jumped on the table. I put him in his hut, which we had brought with us, and he didn't want to stay in. I gave him bits of chicken so he'd stayi in his hut. It worked until he was done with his chicken.

He's so skinny that I want to feed him as often as possible, but this eating in restaurants thing is not good.

Heroin chicken for the world's oldest hedonist! Ha! :snap:

so.... what.. he just doenst like Costco Rotisserie chicken??
Whats the deal Abe?

actually I think hes the oldest living 4 legged hedonist. I think keith richards has him beat on the 'oldest' overall...not to mention I dont think his heroin comes in chicken form


yeah, that was actually really surprising, wasnt it? the disdain in his face when it was offered was quite telling. funny, I thought it was quite good

I'm actually thinking of getting some boiled chicken. Or, maybe just some canned chicken. Wait! I might have some. He's not eating quite as well today. The think the heroin has ruined his appetite.

Carrot juice is a great idea! Both cats and dogs love carrots (as well as pumpkins). I was thinking about putting milk on his food - only small amount - but keifer is a good idea and probably better.

Chris has bacon on his burger tonight. He sat there and looked at him with his giant doe eyes until he got some.

If he has tummy issues you can try giving him a (tiny, in his case) spoonful of plain yogurt. Good for the coat too.

not to be critical, but many times dogs get to be picky eaters simply by being fed too much and too often. not that I could refuse brother abe anything myself, but my guys get uppity about their food if I've treated them to snacks too much over the course of the day.

just sayin

Yeah, I'vv tried to put the focus on the food and not on "snacks" - although I really just want him to eat. But, he's also a Chi with a really tiny stomach. He ate this morning when I put him on my lap and fed him off a spoon. :rolleyes:. I think I'm being had. ;)

Oh, he's got you goooooooood. :p

Way to go Abe! :cheers:

That's the only way I get Joe to eat.

So, Chris hasn't been happy having a dog in his life. He's never had a dog and this situation sort of got forced on him. Th transition hasn't been easy, but Abe seems to be helping.

We came back in from a walk last night and Abe proceeded to do a little dance in front of Chris for treats. These are the same treats I couldn't get him to eat. But, from Chris' hand, they were bacon. That man has a way with Chihuahuas whether he likes it or not.

He's also given Abe a "voice". Abe has had a lot to say lately - mostly about the cats wanting to eat his food and how it worries him. But, the voice is distinctly Abe's and not Chris'.


Chris may end up with a dog after all. ;)

Gabba Gabba, One Of Us.

Soooo, Abe went to my vet today for an exam. The took blood and I won't know the results until tomorrow but my vet thinks he's anywhere between 8 to 10 years old. He also lost an ounce. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good blood test results.

He LOST an ounce???
How?!?!?

Sigh...

well, now they think he's younger..... but lighter. Give him an ear rub for me.

Well, now it begins.......

His blood work came back and he has an auto-immune disease of the blood. The vet is surprised he is not already dead. I asked the hard question and the vet said it was worth giving him a shot. He thinks Abe's got a chance and he's got such a good personality that we're going to try and treat him and see what happens.

This will either teach me not to rescue animals ever again or give me more optimism. I can't decide if I'm good or just stupid.

When I picked him up to put on his leash and go the the vet he looked up at me and licked my cheek. Animals are so manipulative! ;)

You're good.

Oh well hell.

That was sneaky Abe.
So whats with the no teeth? is that still age?
can we feed him people food again? if he's sick, he's sick, he can eat bacon, right?

And lets go with you're just good.
Stupid is still the cretin that thought Chihuahuas could survive in the wild.

And.. optimisim is a good thing. You didnt know he was ill. We thought we were just feeding a poor hungry doggie.
This way, his main diet isnt flies.

The big question... can he infect the cats?

At the very least, the world's oldest (four-legged) hedonist can spend the remainder of his days (may they be many) in an appropriately luxurious environment.

And if he's not dead yet, that's probably a good sign. If he was going to kick off he would have done it already. There's still entirely too much bacon in the world, and he is just the dog to put a dent in that problem.

Hey, if he's not in pain and you're upgrading his quality of life, then you're doing the right thing. What a lucky dog.

The vet was so surprised he wasn't already dead. He may ultimately need a blood transfusion. How much can that cost when he's so tiny?

I just feel sorry for him and sad because I'm not thinking someone knew he was sick and turned him out onto the street to die. I'm also sad I let this go for almost 2 weeks before discovering there was something wrong. He had to wiggle his way into our lives first.

I keep thinking about the little lick he gave me on the cheek before we left for the vet. I want to think he knew something was going to happen. Either he was saying "goodbye and thanks for the last 2 wonderful weeks" or "thanks for taking me to the vet, I'll be back". Or, maybe he was just saying "you spilled yogurt on your cheek".


Poor little Abe.
:(

Or maybe you just had some food on your face, Lisa!

And you looked as sincere as a dog
Just as sincere as a dog does,
When it's the food on your lips with which it's in love

Pfft, it's all GOOD that you rescued Abe. I hope he doesn't rack up the vet costs too badly, despite how little blood will fit in that bacon-stuffed body.


Besides - you can't let Abe die!



(Chris would feel guilty for weeks)

Or at least a day or two.

I'm reminded why my father never wanted a dog, he was heart broken over the loss of the one he had in Canada. It just bugs me that there are so many neglected pets out there - you do what you can, but there's always so much more.

Chris is such a curmudgeon on this board, but you should see him "talk" for Abe.

I'm in Chihuahualand.
I followed a link from Ellen's dog story to Petfinder. I'm looking at pics of all these Chihuahuas without homes. CUuuuuuute!

I grew up with a white Chihuahua terrier. So very cute. Miss him.
:)

GC: have you tried craigslist?

Naw, I'm just dreaming at this point. My building doesn't allow dogs. Cats, yes. Dogs, no.
Maybe in the future at another place...
:)

Awww, little Abe. I'm sorry about this, but I suspect he does appreciate the love and care you've given him so far. You're doing good, no question and you have a really big heart. Nothing wrong with that as far as I'm concerned.

I used to VOW that I'd never have a chihuahua...

Now I've got two of the cutest little babies to ever pitter patter across a kitchen floor... Ethel has eyes more powerful than Mara... look into them and you're doomed! :D

Are they considering steroids? I know steroids do worlds of wonder in human auto-immune (but I'm not sure that doggie auto-immune works the same way.)

I also say: good. You're not stupid. You have a big heart and NOTHING is stupid about that.

Yes, the are giving him steroids along with some other stuff. He's on an IV as well. They're trying to get some nutririon into him. I have to call the vet about 11 to see how his night was. I think he's going to stay at the vet for a few days.

Your good for giving him a loving home and bacon. And the medical care that he needs.

You know, NA & €... you guys are really sort of heroes in my eyes. It's not always easy, and how you approach life isn't without its problems and complaints, but you guys really do what you can to make the world around yourselves a better place. Whether you're helping a friend or a little chihuahua, every action creates a rippling effect that affects the surrounding world... and that makes this a good thing, as difficult as it might be, financially or even emotionally.

Your kindness and compassion rubs off on all of us, and for that, helping little Abe is such an enormously good thing.

That is all.

Who's the patron saint of animals? I think NA should take over that position. ;)

St Francis of Assisi.

Hahhaha, let's see Not Afraid try to spell Assisi on a regular basis.

I vote "good" as well, even if the more apt saint turns out to be St. Jude, not St. Francis.

:D

You know, I should add that we also have some other animal rescue operatives -- Kevy & GusGus, Disneyphile & Frodo -- And others of us that help in our own ways.

Just sayin'... I think all of you guys rub off on us to be better people, even when it comes to little animals. :) And hopefully it continues on.

This entire group, whether it's Disney, politics, people, animals, swankdom... we care, and it's an awesome thing.

If by "dog" someone meant "hunky single man", I'd be a rescue operative, too.

Would you cry when the Sheriff pried him out of your arms when he's arrested for outstanding warrants?

Hmm. How many warrants?

Abe's coming home on Saturday. He's doing OK. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Yay!! Go Abe! :D

Abe's home and liking it here better than the vet. Poor little guy. He's been homeless, living with cats on the street, at our house for a night, in Palm Springs for 3 days, at our house for a week, then at the vet for 3 days. I'd be a bit upset too and I weigh a lot more than he does. At least I've been consistently with him for most of that time. I sure hope he likes me.

The vet is pretty guarded about his condition. He is responding to treatment, but he was pretty damaged when I found him and he's not a young dude. I think getting him some comfort and normalcy will be good for his recovery. Of course, we're taking him to Yosemite in a couple of weeks. He's a traveling man!

At the moment, he's sitting with me in bed. He seems to like it here. It's warm and soft it's just that these big furry things keep coming up and investigating. ;)

Still keeping my fingers crossed.

Dogs are amazing healers, truly amazing.

My mom's group rescued a chihuahua from a puppy mill that was starved AND pregnant. Mom wasn't sure she was going to make it, let alone the puppies, but they gave her to mom to care for, and not only did the mama dog come back to health, she carried the litter of puppies to a healthy birth, and they all got adopted out as of yesterday.

So little Abey baby has an excellent chance. Just love them and feed them and the thrive.

GD and I got to see Abe again and we'll attest - he's much more healthy now. Got a little meat on those bones! :snap:

I had a dream Abe died. I guess I'm worried for the little guy. But, he is meatier. He's a good boy. He REALLY loves Chris.

Awww. Heidi mentioned that he was having a hard time. He's in my thoughts and I'm glad he's put some meat on those chicken bones of his!

but then...who doesn't? :snap:

With deep regret I must announce that Abe is no longer with us. He is perchance in a better place sampling Heaven's Bacon.

While we did our best to keep him comfy and nurse him back to health, his quality of life was quickly deteriorating, and so we bid him farewell today at noon.

Rest in Peace Abe

I'm so sorry :(

swanie

Oh no! :(

I was so hoping he was going to pull through.

Thanks to both of you for giving him all the love and attention he deserved. He left a very happy boy, all because of you.

He didn't die alone and unwanted; it was a good end.

He had the best pals a dog could ever ask for, if only for a short time.

:(

:( puppy.

/hugs

Oh I'm so sorry. My thoughts are with you guys today.

Sorry to hear about Abe. You guys did a great job with him.

I'm glad that Abe got to experience some serious love in his last few weeks. Jack just lifted his leg on the corner of our bed "for my homie."

rest in peace Abe, the epitome of cool

it was a distinct pleasure to have known you
:snap:

thanks Lisa n Chris for taking such good care of our buddy

:( Our condolences - but thank you both for providing a loving home to a precious little guy. Such gestures make this a better world.

- Flippyshark, Tsunami and Illuminati

There was a reason he found his way in to your home; he couldn't have had a better, more loving and swanky place to spend his final days in.

RIP little guy.

I can only hope my last days are as filled with love as Abe's were.

I don't know how I missed this - An amazing, heartwarming, loving story told over 20 days.

This just reinforces in Iron the feelings I have for my LoT family. What a fantastic, caring, giving, warm collection of people you are, with St Lisa as the patron saint of the animals.

I'm off for a Kleenex now, but they're happy tears. Happy that Lisa & Chris (and others) got to bring a little bit of joy and love into a small dogs life, and recieve that love back from a grateful soul, and joy that Abe is now gambolling happily with no earthly constraints in heaven , where there is bacon growing on every bush, and Beverly fountains on every corner. (Dogs like Beverly, BTW.)

I am sorry.

Thanks everyone for your wsupport and condolences. We tried with the little guy, but I knew today that he was not doing too well. I worked at a doggie Howl'oweek event all day and was surrounded by lots of adorable puppies, but it was scrappy little Abe that was in the front of my mind all day. I bid him farewell this morning knowing that he was probably not going to have a good prognosis a the vet. Chris was wonderful with him and stayed with him as he was relieved from his pain. I'm really glad we had the little guy in our lives even for such a short time. He was a good little man.

Oh, somewhere, on a camera somewhere in Hollywood, are the last pictures of Abe, dressed to the 9's as a swanky boy.

:( I'm so sorry-

Well, at least he spent his last days with caring people and a lot of happy kitties. Poor guy.
Kudos to you both for taking care of him.
:)

Itty Bitty Abe Vigoda - the World's Oldest Hedonist
 

So sorry to hear NA and Chris. You both have my condolences. At least he was loved and cared for in his final days. Lucy and Ethel send theirs too.

You Killed Him.















sorry, it was getting a little too treacly in here. Yeah, I also believe you provided the dog with a happy fortnight at the end of his days, and it was noble and saintly and generally good like you good folks are ... yeah, yeah, whatever.

Wow... what a suck ass post that was, iSm, even coming from such an admitted curmudgeon.

:(

Well, poor Abey had a great last couple weeks. Way better than staying on the streets. And he had bacon :)

So sorry to hear the news. Major mojo for your good works.

I'm sorry that Abe has passed, but I am so glad he spent his last days with you! I know it's hard, but he was in a good place in your family, even if it was so briefly. Just because an animal is old doesn't mean they stop feeling or stop being worthwhile. He was a happy little man with you, and you made his end of life as enjoyable as any dog could wish for. You two are beyond awesome.:)

:(

I'm sorry for Abe.

You guys did a good thing.

:(

I'm glad we were a (brief) part of his life. I'll never forget what it was like to pet his little head, daintily with one finger, because any harder would be too much for him.

Lisa and Chris, you're both to be commended for being so kind-hearted.

Let me add some treacle, you two are kind and compassionate and caring and provided little Abe with a warm bed, good food (bacon!) and a chance to have a better life and an easier passing than he would have had alone on the streets. Your spots in animal heaven are fully secure, they will have bacon for you, too!

Au revoir little Abe.

So sorry to hear this news this morning. My condolences to you, Lisa and Chris. :(

Goodbye to our wonderful little friend.

Oh man, that is so sad to hear. I lift a glass and a piece of bacon to you itty bitty.


Ode to the Itty Bitty

though walk he could not
last few weeks of pure dog bliss
powered by bacon

My life's been in a bit of disarray lately so I'm coming to this news late, but you have my number if you need help deciding.


{{{{{{{Lisa}}}}}}} I'm proud to know you.

My love to both of you - and to Abe. He was a sweet old man, and I can't believe I just cuddled him in my lap a day ago.

(Tom is going to put our portraits online momentarily.)

Abe

I never knew you, but you deserved the best. You were blessed to have been so loved in your last days with the Chris, Lisa, and the LoT.

Here are the swanky photos of Abe from Saturday:

I can only hope that I have Lisa and Chris around in my last days, too. They are the best. Happy travels, Abe.

Holy crap. lol! I'm crying here. Loving Abe. Love those pictures. That made my day.
What a performer!
:)

And he looks better than Desi Arnaz did at the end. Or even before the end.

Oh my... I've been so busy these last couple of days that I hadn't even gotten a chance to check in on LoT...

Abe was truly a special friend, and he was so fortunate to have so much love in his life - the end of a tough life for such a little dog. I can only echo the sentiments above, but most of all, I agree with Tom. If that's how it is then I want to be with Lisa and Chris at the end of my days.

Time for a Kleenex now.

sniffle, sniffle, sniffle

Abe, you looked so cute. May there be bongos and bacon in your corner of dog heaven.

:snap:

RIP, furry buddy, the cutest, ittiest, bittiest little hedonist that ever was....

L & C, you are good, good people, giving Abe a happy home during his last weeks on earth. He'll be missed.

Love those pics! :snap:

I'd say he was pretty darn happy, thanks to Lisa and Chris. (And bacon. Lots and lots of bacon.)

I decided I wanted to get my hands into a little cooking tonight, I'm making bacon macaroni and cheese. I'm calling it Abe's mac & cheese.

A piece of bacon was eaten in his honor.

Thank you Lisa and Chris.
I know Abe was happy with everyones spoiling of him.

Poor little sweetie :(
I'm glad he was able to spend his final days with people who loved him dearly.