JoJo

Pet's Age
9

Pet’s rescue story in 500 words or less
JoJo and his chihuahua brother Petey were in the house with their owner when he died in 2020. They were found after 8 days and taken into rescue In Port Orange, FL. A colleague of mine knew I liked hairless dogs and showed me JoJo's photo and I immediately contacted the rescue to make him mine.

JoJo is a Mexican Hairless (Xolo) and he weighs 7 lbs. JoJo is a tough little guy and a fighter. He is the smallest of my 5 dogs and the alpha in our home. The other (bigger) dogs are terrified of JoJo which ensures he gets to sleep wherever he feels comfortable.

JoJo is believed to be a puppy mill dog and had congenital defects as a result of inbreeding. JoJo has a rib cage that is not fused correctly and he has hip displasia and luxating patellas in his back knees. Sometimes he struggles to walk and will trip or have a knee give out on him. JoJo does not let anything stop him and picks himself up and goes about what he was doing. Due to whatever he and Petey had to eat to survive, JoJo has digestive issues and is on prescription food due to pancreatitis. Sometimes this means he cannot eat anything until he is feeling better. JoJo does not accept help unless he is really hurting but he always likes to be near me and his dog family when he has a "rumbly tummy".

JoJo hates cats and believes that they should not occupy the same home as us. Our resident cats tend to give him a wide berth when he is barking at them or chasing them. I think they may be a little intimidated by him too.

JoJo loves to be in the sun, hates when the temperature goes below 70 degrees and battles the other dogs for ALL the treats. He is loving and cuddly and likes to sleep under the covers right next to me. He is completely hairless except for a small tuft of hair on the back of his head which I kiss all the time (his "hair parts") much to his chagrin.

JoJo has an extensive wardrobe and you will always find him sporting a tee shirt or pajamas. He is pictured in his winter coat for when it is really cold. JoJo likes to sit with me when I am doing telehealth and, as soon as he sees me sit down for a session, he climbs up next to me on his special blanket for when he is "working".

JoJo takes care of Petey who is older and getting more frail. They also sometimes use each other as a chair for sitting, something I suspect they have been doing since they were puppies.

JoJo reminds me every day about resilience and perseverance and never letting anything stop you from getting what you want. His courage in the face of all his challenges is admirable. My life is enhanced by having him.