Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Fred is the weirdest dog I’ve ever known. Husband and I often refer to him as being ‘broken’, meant only in the most affectionate way of course! We also call him ‘the teapot’ because, compared with his constant companion and cousin, Ned, he is decidedly short and stout. I’m not suggesting that there is actually anything seriously or fundamentally wrong with Fred, he’s just a little bit…special.

Was he dropped on his head as a puppy? Perhaps starved of oxygen as his oversized head made its way through his mother’s tiny birth canal? There is no evidence to support either of those theories. Of course, there’s no evidence to disprove them, either…

What Makes Fred ‘Special’

In virtually all respects, Fred is a perfectly normal, happy little Chihuahua. He runs, plays, eats like he’s been starved for a week, and is super loving and affectionate. There are just a few little eccentricities that make him a bit unique.

He is oblivious to heights

Unlike Ned, who refuses to jump down from any height greater than around 50 inches, Fred will launch himself off the end of any structure without any apparent preparation or planning. Fortunately, we don’t have anywhere at home where this can become a dangerous problem, but we do have to watch out when we go on outings.

Not long ago, I took the boys with me to the garden center, and they were gleefully traveling in the upper basket of a trolley. No sooner had I turned my back to study the label of a particularly appealing fern than I heard a little ‘flump’ as Fred dropped from the 3-foot-tall trolley, and was gearing up to make his own fern selection. Fortunately, he was still wearing his harness and lead, which I now keep secured at a much shorter length!

I have never, and will never, test the theory, but the way Fred just walks off the edge of our bed and garden walls without a second’s hesitation and just carries on walking, suggests that he is absolutely oblivious to heights.

He has situational anxiety

To be fair, I’m not entirely sure that his behavior is due to being anxious, but whenever Fred becomes the focus of attention, he starts spinning around like he’s trying to turn himself inside out. This progresses into whining, squealing, and his adorable grimace, or smile. It’s almost as though he just cannot contain his excitement, and the pressure of being looked at is just too much for his little body to handle!

He becomes paralyzed when picked up

Not literally, of course, but for a dog that has no apparent fear of heights, Fred takes on a look of terror whenever he is picked up. His body goes floppy, he refuses to make eye contact, and will completely ignore his favorite food and toys, including his donuts.

He has security donuts

Not the delicious kind (although I’m sure he wouldn’t turn one down), but his favorite little plushie. As one of his earliest toys as a puppy, these cute little donuts continue to trump any other toy or chew on offer.

Fred’s Security Donuts

There are only two situations where Fred will not reach for his donuts:

1. when picked up (see above)
2. when there is actual food

After his first donut suffered inevitable damage from sharp teeth (which was repaired), Husband quickly raced down to the pet shop to stock up on some replacements. The only thing he will relinquish a donut for is another donut, but if given the choice, he will hoard them. To date, Fred’s personal best is stuffing four donuts in his mouth at once. And with its multiple rows of stitching, the first, the original, the OG donut continues to be his favorite, and he will fall asleep with it stuffed in his mouth.

Not only does he seem to enjoy his donuts in the way any dog likes chewing, carrying, and playing with toys, but they also appear to provide him with comfort when he is feeling anxious.

Okay, I have a confession: I sometimes look at Fred to get him to display his socially awkward dance. I know that might sound mean, but it has become something of a ritual. I look, he turns himself inside out, grabs his donut, and we have a cuddle and a fuss, and sometimes even a treat. In fact, it is just as likely that Fred has taken to doing these little performances in the hopes of getting some food, and probably thinks I’m a real sucker for falling for his act every time!

The Weirdness That Is Fred

I find it difficult to convey to you just how bizarre my little Chihuahua really is, and I wish I could invite you all to see him in person. The best I can do is offer up a little video insight into the weird and wonderful world of Fred in the hopes that you can share in the joy his little antics bring me every day.

Do you have a weird dog like Fred? I would love to hear about them. Let us know in the comments below!