🐾 Meet Suki: A Little Chihuahua with a Big Story

Suki is one of our special guests at Paws in Town, and we want to get to know her through the people who know her best: her family! Tell us about her personality, favorite adventures, and what makes her so special.

1. How did Suki come into your life, and what do you remember about meeting her for the first time?

Our journey together started after a long search and a lot of dead ends. During a difficult chapter of my life as a caregiver for my beloved mother, I realized I was finally ready to welcome a dog back into my home, four years after my previous two pugs had passed away. Trying to find a Chihuahua in Miami during Covid felt impossible—I ran into scammer after scammer.Out of options, I posted on Facebook. In a beautiful chain of events, someone in California put me in touch with a woman in Mexico. I remember reaching out to her on a Saturday in August 2021. She sent videos of Suki, and my heart was sold. Less than a week later, a vehicle pulled up to my front door. As I walked out, I heard a tiny, demanding bark from inside a crate, looking at me as if to say, "Get me out of here!" She was only ten weeks old, but she was the smartest, most playful, and most affectionate little puppy. Suki brought immediate joy to our home and instantly won our hearts.

2. Why did you choose the name Suki? Does it have a special meaning?

Suki came with a the name of Chanel at 10wks old. Wanted to name her myself with a meaningful name that suits her. My son decided to search for female names with a meaning. He gave me a few, but I thought Suki Aico was perfect. Suki Aico are both Japanese names. Suki stands for “beloved” and Aico for “little one”. Even though I and everyone calls her Suki, the Aico is used for her documents only. Couldn’t have named her more perfect. She is loved dearly, and little in size.

3.. If you could describe her in three words, what would they be and why?

• Loving: She has a massive heart in a tiny body, deeply sharing her love every single day with everyone she meets—man, woman, and child.

• Sweet: She has a remarkably kind and gentle personality, always greeting you with a wagging tail and a face full of kisses.

• Smart: She is an incredibly quick learner who listens closely, obeys beautifully, and follows commands with ease. 

  
  

4. What makes Suki unique? Tell us something about her that few people know.

Her incredibly outgoing personality. While Chihuahuas are often known for being a bit reserved or fiercely loyal to just one person, Suki breaks the mold completely. Something few people know about her until they meet her is that she treats everyone like a best friend. She is always ready to approach absolutely anyone with a wagging tail and an endless supply of kisses. 

5. Chihuahuas are known for their big personalities. How does Suki show hers at home?

Through her funny and specific rules about who gets a bark and who gets a greeting.Unlike many dogs, Suki has decided that her voice is reserved strictly for wildlife and other animals. She takes her window-watching duties very seriously, barking enthusiastically at birds, lizards, and any passing dogs or cats. However, when it comes to humans, she is a total sweetheart. The moment a stranger comes to the door, all guarding instincts vanish; she rushes out to greet them with a happily wagging tail, ready to make a new friend.

6. What does her perfect day look like, from waking up to bedtime?

Suki, my sweet little 8:00 AM alarm clock! She wakes me up with a gentle fussing sound, does her morning potty break, and then waits patiently in the kitchen with her front legs crossed for breakfast. After eating, it's straight back to bed for a two-hour nap. Once she wakes up, she gives me another little fuzz to be lifted down, and her workday begins. Her schedule consists of playing with toys, asking to go out to the yard, and running neighborhood window patrol. Some days we head out together for errands and lunch dates and many dog events too. By 7:00 PM, she has her dinner and spends the rest of the evening relaxing in her bed or cuddling next to me, ready for sleep.  

7. Does she have a funny habit or a mischievous moment that always makes you laugh?

Suki has a wonderful way of making sure she gets attention: she makes these soft, gentle fussing sounds. It is her daily routine whenever she is hungry, wants to get off the bed, wants to explore the yard, or just needs to be held. This is her unique way of talking to me. Since I always listen closely to her, we've developed this beautiful way of communicating with each other and always makes me laugh. 

8.What are her favorite things—a toy, a treat, an outing, or a special place?

Her favorite toys are mini balls, her sheep plushies, and her big teddy bear—which she’s been wrestling with since she was 10 weeks old! When it comes to treats, she doesn't discriminate; her favorite treat is literally everything. But most of all, she loves going to all of our doggie events together!

9. How does she show affection, and what does she do when she wants your attention?

Suki, lives to show affection. Whether she is waggling her tail, showering me with kisses all day, or pressing her body against mine just to feel my warmth, she always stays close. At night, she sleeps so near to me that I find myself balancing on the edge of the mattress—yet I love her too much to ever change a thing.But what touches me most deeply is her profound intuition. Whenever I cry silently, Suki senses it, comes close, and licks the tears right off my face. She began doing this when she was only five months old, helping me survive the grief of losing my mother. Years later, she still does it without fail. Suki is so much more than a pet; she is my soulmate fur-baby and my savior. 

10. Have you overcome any challenges together that have strengthened your bond?

Everyday life brings its share of heavy moments and unexpected turns. I meet them head-on as they arrive, knowing I am never truly carrying the weight alone. With my sweet furbaby Suki right by my side, every storm feels a little softer. Her quiet presence and unconditional love anchor me, turning ordinary days into moments of pure comfort. 

11.What care and daily routines help keep her happy and healthy?

Our daily care routine for her includes:

• Rest: Making sure she gets a good night's rest every single night.

• Meals & Nutrition: Providing balanced daily meals with all her prescribed vitamins added.

• Hydration: Keeping her bowl filled with plenty of fresh, clean water to drink throughout the day.

• Activity & Fun: Enjoying dedicated play time and fun outings together.

• Healthcare & Grooming: Following all veterinary visits and routines, including dental health checkups and regular baths.

• Love & Protection: Making sure she is deeply loved and cared for every day, while always being protected and kept safe from any harm .

  
  

12. What do you wish more people understood about Chihuahuas?

There is a common stigma that Chihuahuas are naturally fierce and snappy, but people truly need to get to know the breed before making assumptions. In reality, a dog's behavior reflects how they are raised and the depth of the relationship you build with them. Until you have loved a Chihuahua of your own, you cannot fully understand what you are missing. Having owned dogs of various breeds and sizes throughout my entire life, I can confidently confess that I have never experienced a bond as fiercely loyal and affectionate as the one I share with Suki. While it is easy to see why people love owning multiple Chihuahuas, I intentionally chose to focus all of my attention on her. She deserves my complete love and devotion, undivided. They are a profound blessing to have in our lives. 

13. What is the most touching moment you have shared with Suki?

Would be the profound loss of my mother and the three long years it took to process that grief. While my family was there, I frequently kept my pain hidden so they wouldn't have to carry it. Suki became my quiet anchor—the one who sensed my silent heartbreak and stayed by my side to comfort me, while licking all my tears of sadness away. After that, she made me smile quite often. 

14. How has your life changed since she became part of your family?

Suki is a tremendous part of my life and family—she is not just a dog. She has changed my life in so many ways. She became my emotional support companion and my best friend in everything we do, filling an empty void in my heart with her unconditional love and sweet personality. I truly don't know what I would do without her. She is a special, delightful fur-baby to me. She is my World! 

15. As one of our special guests, what message would you and Suki share with Paws in Town readers about the love and responsibility of having a pet?

Of all God’s creations, animals are truly a masterpiece, and dogs hold a very special place in my heart. They offer endless love, loyalty, and companionship without ever asking for anything in return. It’s hard to understand how someone could look at these pure creatures and not feel a deep connection. True love and responsibility for an animal comes from a deep place within—something not everyone possesses. For me, it comes easy.