A few years after losing her first pet, Sheena Chahil felt she was finally ready to care for another dog.
“I got Meeko as a 60th birthday present to myself,” she tells FMT. The little toy poodle was just four months old at the time.
Sheena, who has been caring for him for two years, says Meeko was named after the little raccoon from “Pocahontas”. The name wound up being very fitting as Meeko has a very meek personality.
“He is a very shy dog, and it takes him time to get comfortable around people, especially strangers,” Sheena says, adding that once he gets accustomed to them, he is very friendly and joyful.
Meeko loves going for car rides and runs straight to the front door whenever he hears someone picking up a car key.
“We keep our keys in a drawer, so the second he hears that drawer open, he comes running and gets very excited thinking he is going on a ride,” Sheena laughs.
Meeko also enjoys evening walks around his neighbourhood, where he gets to meet all the other dogs and cats that live in the area. But being the shy pup that he is, he usually hides behind Sheena’s legs whenever a dog approaches him.
“He also likes to play in the garden in the evenings and stand guard at the front door to bark at the neighbour’s cat that enjoys lounging on our porch,” Sheena says.
She reveals that he’s actually afraid of the next-door feline, even though he has two kitty siblings at home.
This precious pup also gets scared any time Sheena or her family members raise their voice and will usually hide in a corner until it is safe to come out.
He has grown very attached to Sheena and, if left alone, will cry and sit by the front door until she comes home.
When it comes to grooming, however, Meeko is not afraid to demonstrate his dislike. “He will throw a tantrum after being groomed by rolling all over the grass and getting his white fur all dirty,” Sheena laments.
Meeko is not a picky eater and enjoys his kibble. “Sometimes, as a treat, we give him air-fried mackerel, which he absolutely loves.”
When Meeko was just a few months old, he jumped off the couch and broke his front right arm. Sheena recalls being absolutely devastated seeing her little puppy in so much pain.
Thankfully, Meeko has fully recovered and is up and running around again.
This little poodle is also a smart cookie. “Before the pandemic, he was actually going for classes to learn to walk on two feet and jump over a stick,” Sheena shares.
Meeko knows how to sit and roll over when instructed, but the trick he has perfected is the belly rub.
“When you say ‘belly rub’, he will immediately roll over and lay down with his tummy exposed waiting for it!”
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.