Getting To Know Chopper

If you decide to become a volunteer and go to orientation, one of the first things Julia will tell you is NOT TO PET CHOPPER ! She stresses this and tells you, 'You'll know Chopper when you see him'. Well ! If that ain't an invitation to try the impossible than nothing is ! Thus began my journey of Getting To Know Chopper.

I'm a huge dog lover from way back and I haven't come across a dog yet that doesn't like me, so I couldn't imagine this Chopper character not cuddling right up to me and giving me a big wet kiss. Well, as it turns out Chopper came by his name naturally. And although he's never bitten me I can understand why this pint sized fur ball can be scary. Chopper likes to bark and assert his authority. He's really a lovely little guy who is all bark and not much bite, but all this getting-to-know-you takes time and patience, lots of patience.

So every time I was at the Rescue I made of point of seeking out Chopper and saying 'hello' and bringing him a treat. Bribery works and I was willing to try anything. I did this until he was familiar enough with me that I didn't pose much of a threat. Now mind you, I'm very tall, almost 6 feet, so how I could scare or pose a threat to an 8 lb pip squeak is beyond me, but Chopper always let me know who was Boss, at least until we had our ShowDown !

One day while I was cleaning a small pasture off the back end of the barn Chopper came out to join me. He and I were doing just fine until I picked up the shovel and swung some manure over the fence into the manure pile. Apparently Chopper doesn't like shovels and he started barking at me and coming closer. When he did that I just pointed my finger at him and said ' I don't know who you think you're barking at but it ain't me Buddy' and then said 'How dare you bark like that'. Well, that was enough and Chopper immediately stopped barking and starting waging his tail ! Go figure !

Now when I come to the Rescue Chopper will come find me. He lets me pet him and scratch his ears and as always, Chopper waits for his treat cause he knows I have one for him !