Shiela Martell of Duncan K-9 Grooming, the little building everybody in the core of Duncan knows well, is sticking close to her own pet these days.
Many, many folks also know her little dog, Taya. She is nine years old, a long-haired Chihuahua crossed with a Yorkie.
In other words, Taya is small and cute.
“She’s had very low energy for a while, and I brought her into the vet and they told me she is having heart failure. The vet has told me she could have anywhere from three months to a year, depending on what stage she’s at. But they believe she’s in early heart failure at the moment.”
The little pooch was the smallest one of a litter of four.
“She picked me to be her mum.”
Taya has fans around town, Martell said.
“I’ve had a police officer in a road block one night ask me about my little dog. And I’ve had numerous people come into the shop just to see how she’s doing and leave me messages to phone them with updates.
“I had one guy come up to me in Home Depot when I was just walking through and he said, how’s Taya doing? He talked to me for several minutes, just about Taya.”
Customers have spread the word, and now lots of people have seen or know about the little dog.
Taya is managing her condition well at the moment.
“You wouldn’t know she’s not well. The doctor gave her doggy-Gravol and she’s playful. But every once in a while, she has a ‘smoker’s cough’ and a quiet day. That’s why they don’t know how long she will be with me. But Taya’s mom has passed away, and when Taya goes, she’ll be with her mom.”
lexi.bainas@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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