Gilbert is a warrior in every sense of the word!
And even with his diminutive stature, this proud little Chi has never lost the sparkle in his life—and most likely that has kept him on all fours to date.
More than once, he found himself without a roof over his head. He was returned to a shelter three days after he was adopted previously. The person who used to own him didn’t want him anymore because he was jealous of the other dog. Gilbert then, once again, got evicted from his house!
However, just when it appeared this elderly gentleman would never experience the love of a family again along came Aimee.
Gilbert is a fighter by nature
San Diego, California dog trainer and behaviorist Aimee Burton first fell in love with Gilbert when she saw his picture on the shelter website before he went up for adoption — but by the time she submitted an application to adopt him he was already spoken for, going home with a different family.
That was that, as far as she assumed, until three days later when she got a call. Turns out, the family who took Gilbert in no longer wanted him because their other dog became jealous of him.
This time Aimee didn’t hesitate and immediately dashed to come home with this gorgeous boi!
It turned out Gilbert had originally been a stray dog from Lancaster, California. As for his history, it is a little unclear to this day but he survived on the street for some time so it was indeed a miracle. Gilbert is only 4.8 pounds, but even at his size, Gilbert has fought really hard all of his life!
There are coyotes, foxes and a lot wildlife,” It’s kind of out there. It was insane that he managed to survive,’ Aimee said.
From Castoff To Commitment
For the first (few) days, Gilbert was timid and quiet. It was entirely to be expected that this little man no longer trusted, given his past experience but Aimee was very patient.
Slowly, she introduced him to her other dogs and gave him all the comforts he could have ever wished for. Then, after a few days, he broke out of that shell and actually engaged with his new brothers and sisters for the first time in a house!
Gilbert though an elderly man seemed so joyful and content to experience the life he wanted! He has a bad knee, collapsing trachea and needs some dental work but that sure as hell doesn’t stop him from being the man of the house!
Every dog quite literally gravitates to Gilbert and although he does not have the pace of his little brothers, is still an integral part of the pack!
On occasion, when his mom takes other doggos on a walk he will just stand on the front porch and give them the saddest sad look you have ever seen but then as soon as they turn and come back around to the house — back to perky!!
Aimee adores everything about Gilbert, but arguably her favorite part of the day is getting to wake him up!
With his charming smile and simply sweetest pair of eyes, he makes her day all the better! He always gazes at her as though he is about to embark on the greatest of adventures that day.
He has his own peculiar way of doing some stuff but it just makes him super special! He eats lettuce, never walks on grass and waits just on dirt and pavement.
He sometimes gets a bit possessive and “gums” hishousemates, which is so funny because he only has three teethand can hurt no one.
When all is said and done, nothing sticks more with Gilbert than being in a state of comfort. That he enjoys snuggling next to his mama and just loves being around her the most.
“He loves to be in comfort. Aimee says, “He always wants to be somewhere on a blanket or under a blanket.”
He was pretty much a homeless doggo, now he,s the happiest Chi ever!
