This is our rat-dog Cuja. She's
supposed to be a St. Bernard/Husky mix but, I just don't see it. Only goes
to show how genetics can go haywire. Cuja's littermates all had large St.
Bernard heads and bodies. Cuja weighs about 35 lbs. We got her at the
tender age of 3 weeks. She was a result of an "Oops" breeding.
Her mother would carry her away from the rest of the litter and throw her
in a trashcan. Unable to care for the "unwanted" puppy, my
neighbor asked us for help. My husband and I took turns at "puppy
duty". For the first several weeks of her life, Cuja, who could fit
in your hand, lived in a wash basket beside our bed. She was hand fed ever
few hours. The vet we used to see, told us not to expect her to live very
long. Her teeth and some of her organs were not developed properly. To our
surprise, Cuja turned ten this past May. Although she is a little older
and has lost a little spring in her step, she will never turn down a
chance to chase a squirrel.