User:Psiĥedelisto/Hitomi

Hitomi (瞳美) is a Pomeranian–Chihuahua mix (Pomchi) and working dog. Owned by Fredrick Brennan, she is a service animal and readily accepts strangers. Even when not being held, will not jump off Brennan's wheelchair.

Early life
Hitomi was born on December 27, 2015 to a dog breeder in Quezon City, Philippines. Her Chihuahua blood was accidental, and not known to Brennan when he purchased her in February, but he turns out to like Pomchis more anyway, so it's all good.

Hitomi's show name is "Yang of Limyu"; she was born to Gucci of Limyu, her dam, and Tristan of Marcy. Her color is listed as cream, but to be honest she looks more orange, doesn't she? She was more cream as a puppy though.

Training
Brennan trained her to be a service animal using the book My Dog is a Genius and YouTube videos on clicker training. Brennan had never owned a dog before Hitomi. Her training was complete by the first quarter 2017. Hitomi is primarily trained not to bark outside or make other vocalizations, not to jump off wheelchairs even if food is dropped, to accept strangers and other dogs, and to signal that she wants to pee by putting her paw on Brennan's knee.

She provides relief of stress, anxiety and depression, among other recognized medical services.

Separation and reunion
In late 2019, Brennan called Jim Watkins senile. This hurt Jim's feelings, so he filed a criminal complaint against Brennan for cyberlibel, which has a prison sentence of between six and twelve years. Brennan fled the Philippines, where he lived, and had to leave Hitomi behind. They were reunited on July 22, 2020.

Personality
Like many Chihuahuas, Hitomi is very alert and attached to one person (Brennan). By not rewarding her by showing affection or feeding when she's barking, and rewarding her in situations where she would sometimes bark but didn't, she has been conditioned not to bark as much as she naturally would. Hitomi is sometimes a picky eater. She likes DentaStix and tennis balls. She likes to be brushed, which is good since she needs to be every day.