Mai-Lynn was walking her dog in Reno, Nevada when she noticed a small animal hopping around in the bushes. She thought it was a rabbit, but as she got closer she discovered it was a Tea Cup Chihuahua. He was dirty, malnourished and had no identification. The vet told her he just needed good care.

Mai-Lynn was about to get married and move to Switzerland and knew her friend Tracy wanted a dog. The minute Tracy saw the little Chihuahua she was ready to take him home. Tracy bought the Chihuahua a spiked collar and gave him a name to match.

But the adoption wasn't so easy. Mai-Lynn's mom was Vietnamese and her family had always owned Chihuahuas. She believed they were good luck. When Mai-Lynn told her mom about the Chihuahua, her mom insisted Spike was a gift from her late father, and the dog was a good luck charm for her marriage. So Tracy immediately returned Spike to Mai-Lynn.

Then Mai-Lynn learned she was pregnant and felt it was too much to keep Spike. He became Tracy’s dog after all.

Spike rides everywhere in Tracy’s backpack. Recently he climbed Mt. Saint Helens with her. Everyone wanted their picture with him. Spike absolutely loves people and the sun. He also performs tricks (like rolling over and playing dead) for treats. Today Spike lives in Seattle and weighs a healthy 4 1/2 pounds.