About Chip

I need a home for my late aunt's Chihuahua, Chip. She died suddenly shortly before Christmas and this dog was her baby. I took Chip in after she died since no one else in my family was able to. I intended to find another home for him because I felt that no one in my household would have time to care for him either. However, he was so sweet, I decided to give him a try. Our young children adored Chip. He is a delightful dog and represents all the best Chihuahuas have to offer. I took him to the vet to get him up to date on his shots and a check up and they found a serious heart murmur that she wanted to investigate further. By that time, however, I began to see that as sweet as Chip was, we really could not give him the time he needed. Chip is a lapdog and when my aunt had him, he was either being carried, in her lap, or sleeping in her bed. My husband and I both work full time and he is alone most of the day About a month later, while we were mulling over our options, Chip collapsed and appeared to have a seizure. The vet and informed me that he was in congestive heart failure and explained that the collapse was not a seizure, but a syncope, which is caused by inadequate oxygen to the brain as a result of the heart not being able to pump enough blood. She put Chip on two medications that she thought might stabilize Chip, but her prognosis for him was dire. She said that he was living on 'borrowed time'. She couldn't give me an exact time frame. Basically Chip could die tomorrow or he could live on for several more months. Fast forward about three months and the meds seemed to have stabilize Chip. If the vet hadn't made clear how dire his condition is, I would think he could live out his full life span. He still has that completely adorable chihuahua prance that cracks me up every time I see it and runs like a puppy when he thinks he will get some table scraps. However, my husband has started to suffer from severe sinus infections that he believes is linked to Chip being in the house. The carpet in the room where we keep him during the day is wrecked and will need to be replaced. My husband has given me an ultimatum to get him out of the house. I can't even blame him because everyone in the house has had to make sacrifices for him to be here, and I don't think I can put my family through it any longer. I've contacted some owners of rescues locally, but have been told that it will be difficult to find a home for a senior dog with a heart condition. If I can't find him another home, the only other option I see will be to have him put to sleep. I hate this option because I feel Chip has some good time left and could be a great companion to someone. I feel like I've failed my aunt and feel incredibly guilty about this whole thing. I had hoped to give Chip a good life before he crosses Rainbow Bridge and since it looks like I am not able to, I would like to try my best to find someone else who can. I have a health plan with Banfield Pet hospital and am willing to pay for his two heart medications. I just need someone who has the time and willingness to love him until his time is up.

Fayette County
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269