This gang of Chihuahuas is why older dogs deserve all the love in the world.
Age is really just a number. Even if you're a dog.
When Julie Docherty first laid eyes on Sir MoMo, her first senior Chihuahua, she fell madly in love.
And honestly, how could you not?
The newspaper clipping where Docherty first saw MoMo (she later shortened his name). She held onto it for years.
Even though she had only just moved to Los Angeles, she was so taken with this little face, she simply had to have him. So she headed over to Tiny Loving Canines Rescue (TLC), and with their support, she brought MoMo home.
MoMo had been neglected by his previous owner and thus needed some extra care. Docherty was more than up to the task, and as a result, their bond grew exponentially.
According to Docherty, MoMo's super calm but also a people-pleaser, aka the perfect dog.
"I realized how ideal having a more mature pup was and how bringing him along to work with me was easier than I had imagined," Docherty wrote in an email.
Since her first foray into senior Chihuahua motherhood went so well, she decided to adopt another one. And then another one. And then another one.
Now she has a proper Chihuahua posse.
A photo posted by @jemandthemisfits on
From left to right in the top photo, meet Choli, Paloma, Benito (also known as RL or "Really Literally"), and MoMo. Docherty rescued Choli and Paloma from TLC, the same organization where she found MoMo, and Benito/TL from Animal Synergy.
Now that they're together, they're pretty much an unstoppable force of hilarity and cuteness.
COUCHella 2016 #ChiLaxing #chihuahuas #superseniorsunday #rescuedogsofinstagram #coachella
A photo posted by @jemandthemisfits on
And their owner couldn't be happier with her "mature" charge.
Docherty with her four pups and a friend. Photo by Julie Docherty.
They love greeting the mailman.
And of course, taking naps. Well, some of them anyway.
A photo posted by @jemandthemisfits on
Choli's the bossy class clown.
He's a genius photo bomber. Photo by Julie Docherty.
"When he gets to know you, he becomes a fearless rag doll who will throw himself onto you," Docherty said.
And Benito squeaks like a cat when he's excited.
A photo posted by @jemandthemisfits on
Meanwhile, Paloma's the unassailable diva.
"This is my most recent portrait. Don't I look FABULOUS?"
And finally, Sir MoMo, the original senior Chihuahua, is the lover.
"He's gentle and sweet and loves meeting people, which is pretty special for Chihuahuas who can be a bit overprotective," wrote Docherty.
Sure, it's not the easiest taking care of elderly dogs, but Docherty says the rewards far outweigh the costs.
None of the pups have teeth anymore, and they all take meds for arthritis, but that doesn't stop them from being playful and loving with their human mom and each other.
Senior Chi style back massage😴 RL & Choli ⭐️ #chiatsu #chihuahualife #chilaxing
A photo posted by @jemandthemisfits on
So if you're thinking about adopting a dog, don't overlook the older ones. They might not be as spry as puppies, but they possess all the cuteness, silliness, and warmth you could want in a dog with maybe just a bit more of a yen for naps.
Our mouths loves chips. Our bodies not so much.Photo by 
You can eat well without giving up sweets completely.Photo by 
12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.