Alicia Miller and Rico

Like all our puppy mill dogs, Rico (the long-haired Chihuahua) was weakened and fragile from long confinement in a small cage that allowed no exercise. In spite of his frail condition, Alicia Miller sensed that Rico had a strong, feisty spirit and took him home.

After just a few days, there was a setback. Rico jumped a short distance, broke a brittle bone in a front leg, and had to go to the mainland for surgery. Still, even with a brace on his leg, Rico impressed Alicia with his bravery and increasing strength. She has horses, a barn, and riding ring on her property, and was concerned that the little Chihuahua would scare easily or get under foot. She needn’t have worried. Rico soon adapted as if he’d been a farm dog all his life.

Now, with bones all mended and strengthened, he’s a furry fireball around the barn, sometimes running rings around his equine friends. But he’s always up for a cuddle, too, as he and Alicia demonstrate here.