Pet Sounds #83: Dandy Warhols Keyboardist Saved 6-Month-Old Mutt From Gang of Chihuahuas’ Bullying
The Dandy Warhols surely had a blast creating PIN UPS, a collection of cover songs they’ve recorded over the years. Coming March 20 via Beat the World Records and Little Cloud Records, the reputed psych-rock band take on The Beatles, The Cure, Gang of Four, The Clash, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, The Runaways and more.
That said, one member of the Dandy Warhols – keyboardist Zia McCabe – is equally if not more passionate about spending time with her dog than making music. The exuberance she feels when with 6-year-old Alice is clearly evident in the above photo. Those emotions are probably heightened due to the fact that McCabe recently lost her pet cat.
We dare you not to smile at the words and photos McCabe generously gave to us for this joyous entry in Pet Sounds.
First of all, I’m very sorry to hear about your cat, Zia. I hope you made enough time and space for the grieving process.
We did. She got very sick, and I was able to provide hospice at home. Me, Tildy (my daughter) were able to be with her at the vet when they gave her the drugs to end her suffering. It was terribly sad, but also beautiful and wholesome. It was an honor to see and hold a life as it passed over.
How did Alice enter your life?
Our beloved first family dog Winston, a Shih Tzu rescue, was getting old, and we thought a youthful companion might give him more energy. Also, Tildy really wanted a bigger dog that she could walk at night. Naturally, as anyone who is a parent would guess, Tildy did not end up walking this bigger dog at night – or ever – unless we really bugged her to.
It took a bit of searching, but we finally found Alice at a dingy little pet adoption place during COVID. She was a 6-month-old shelter-born mutt that was getting bullied by a gang of chihuahuas. She was shy and pretty and sweet. We were so excited to bring our new family member home. Winston was open to the idea but ultimately looked to be confused and disappointed by the near-constant wagging of Alice’s excited tail beating him right in the face. All. Day. Long.
He soon realized we were going to be OK without him, now that Alice was in the picture, and his health quickly declined. It was a bittersweet day. So hard saying goodbye to that sweet little fella. But very sweet that a traveling family was all home at the time, so we could be there for Winnie and for each other. So many lessons to be learned from the love and loss of our dear family pets. Sigh.
Judging by the photos, she seems very active for a 6-year-old pooch. Do a lot of people mistake her for a puppy?
She certainly still has puppy energy! Less so than a few years ago – but no one is complaining, ha. That dog is crazy fast and would have been very happy with a family that was into agility training. She would have won trophies for sure.
How did you and Alice celebrate her 6th birthday?
She got a chicken foot, a new rope toy and a new blanket. She loves sucking on the corner of a special blanket and dragging it everywhere with her.
Alice’s tongue is fascinating … it almost looks like a Rorschach test. Is there a name for it, as there is for a hare/cleft lip?
That’s the only part that shows her 25 percent Chow Chow: the spotted tongue. Good observation. No cleft, just a goofy face when her lip catches sometimes.
Judging by the photos, Alice seems very well behaved. Is that true, or was she acting in front of the camera to get treats?
She really is a good dog. She can be high-anxiety, so the training takes a bit longer because she gets frustrated. We paid for 10 in-house training sessions, and it was worth every penny. Her worst habit is a bit of barking/jumping when someone new comes over.
What excites Alice the most?
Squirrels, frisbees and rope tuggies.
What scares Alice the most?
Cars. She hates car rides.
What’s the funniest anecdote you can share involving Alice?
I can’t think of a specific anecdote, but she has two very funny characteristics that I haven’t mentioned yet. She’s very clumsy. She falls when jumping and bangs her nose on stuff while running all the time. The embarrassed look on her face kills us! She’s already lost two claws and a tooth from her falls and face bangs. The other thing is the way she sits in chairs. Since the first day we brought her home, she has thought it appropriate to sit at the table or on the lawn chairs with us. She just wants to do what we’re doing. Silly girl.
How, specifically, has Alice improved your life?
Constant laughter. She’s such a spaz. And companionship. She wants nothing more than to play and cuddle and comfort us when we aren’t feeling well. For me personally, our daily walks are often my favorite part of the day.
What’s the secret to raising a dog to be as happy as Alice?
Good training, which as we all know is more about our own self-discipline than anything else. Tons of love, walks, songs and cuddles. She loves to be sang to and tucked into her big doughnut-shaped bed.
Check out the Dandy Warhols’ website for everything you need too know about the band. And gorge yourself on more editions of Pet Sounds on its hub page.
The Bad Penny (beta) 
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