Daily Archives: July 26, 2011

Shih Tzu Day 27: McDonald’s — I’m Lovin’ It — But Not in the Car | McDonald’s.

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Attempting Lunch Out at McDonald’s

McDonald'sMcDonald’s and got a small cheeseburger and french fries to try to share with Dottie. She wouldn’t eat either.

When I took her home, I was still in the mood to experiment, so I lured Flower to me and put the harness on her. Dottie had been the dog who shook violently when they first came to live here, so I thought she would be worse in the car, but Flower handled it worse. Of course, we know what Flower does when she is scared. She doesn’t shake; she poops.

I wonder if Mom knows she dropped these yummy fries.I grabbed a towel to take with me, just in case, and I was glad I had it under her when I sat down in the driver’s seat. It only took a second for her fear to manifest itself. I tried to soothe her, knowing that the drive to McDonald’s was only two minutes. It was a very long two minutes. First, she wanted to sit on my lap, instead of in the passenger seat. I successfully got her back in the seat, but then she frantically tried to jump into the backseat, for some reason. I guess I know why some people only take their pets in the car with them in a kennel. I’m sure more than one person has wrecked the car trying to keep their canine out of danger.

It’s McDonald’s, Flower!

After I had ordered two cheeseburgers and fries, to split four ways, I pulled over and told Flower that we were going to have a nice lunch together. I thought of what Leah had said: bark commands, growl warnings and chirp praise. I assumed that if I chirped, Flower would know every thing was okay. So I chirped: “See Flower. McDonald’s. Doesn’t it look yummy. Yes, Flower. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. It’s McDonald’s! You’ll love McDonald’s.”

But, like Dottie, Flower was too scared to even sniff the burger or fries. I finally gave up and started the car. Back at the house, I herded all the dogs out to the porch and rattled the bag. Dottie had recovered from her earlier trip, and headed my way, wagging her tail. It only took Flower a few minutes to decide that the horrible ordeal was over, so she approached me too.

Dottie, Candy and Shiloh eagerly took bites of the McDonald’s hamburger. Shiloh gulped down a few fries, while Dottie and Candy timidly took some from my hand. At first, Flower would only eat the fries once I dropped them on the ground, but she soon began taking them from my hand.

After all the excitement of the day, I decided that I wanted to take a short nap. I picked up Dottie and took her upstairs with me. Barbara had said Dottie sometimes slept with them, but I was still waiting for Dottie to make that step with us. My theory is that it could be threatening, since the bed is tall. Shiloh can jump up on it, but I know the shih tzus wouldn’t be able to do that. Also, she had been with Barbara for five months, and she has only been with us for nearly one. Dottie did lay down with me while I napped, but I don’t know if she slept.

Flower Returns to Normal

I was happy to see Flower returning to normal after her trip. She came across paper John had wadded up, which had landed on the floor, and she gleefully carried it off to the corner, so she could chew on it. When she got tired of that, she did some power chewing on the pacifier Mom bought her.

Candy, the Escape Artist

I think I have figured out at least one reason why Candy likes lying next to the couch, on the hard floor, instead of in a dog bed. I moved the couch back out from the wall, and it is an easy way to escape unwanted attention. I moved it back, to make her a little more sociable.

Later, I picked her up and held her for several minutes, without her fighting. However, she did jump down as soon as I sat her on the couch. She was in a playful mood this afternoon, tussling with the Kong teddy bear.

If I ever had any doubt about these shih tzus — and I did — I don’t anymore. They have become such a big part in my life.

 

Shih Tzu Day 27: In Need of a Dog Groomer

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Flirting with Shiloh tired me out.

Dog Groomer Needed!

After Flower finished her wild romping with Candy and Shiloh, she paid me a visit on the couch. While she sat with me, I called Clear Creek Animal Hospital, to find out how much it would cost to take these little shih tzus in for grooming, even though I don’t want to do anything until the are comfortable in the car. I assume it will be roughly what we used to pay for Joey, times three. Gulp.

The hospital’s dog groomer has been on leave, so they referred me to Lia at the Gentle Groomer in Arvada. I called and had an interesting conversation with her. I asked her if she thought it would be possible for me to stay with the shih tzus if I brought them in, since they were fearful dogs. I know; I sounded like an overprotective mother.

Lia told me that she had been dealing with fearful dogs for years, since many animal rescues refer people who need a dog groomer to her, and that from her experience, it was best to act like there was no problem, and the dogs would follow the lead.

I don't suppose you want to give me another treat?Getting to a dog groomer

I told her that their fear included car rides, so I thought it would be hard to get them to a dog groomer. She said that what works for many people is loading the dog up and taking it to McDonald’s, buying something on the menu and sitting there with the fearful dog, giving it some of the hamburger or fries, whatever catches their attention. She said to do that three days in a row, and the dog will associate the car with the pleasant experience and not be afraid anymore. She also suggested taking a bag of hot dog pieces with you to the vet or dog groomer and having the person feed them to the dog to get rid of that fear.

Lia didn’t have any immediate openings, but she said if I came by, she would talk to me for a few minutes about small ways I could groom the girls in the meantime. I decided I was going to take Dottie to the dog groomer with me, and afterwards, we’d stop at McDonald’s. I’ not sure how good the idea is, since many people would probably say I shouldn’t give them junk food, but I might as well give it a shot.

I was having a great day until you made me wear this harness.Lia and I talked about the idea of me taking a grooming class from her, versus paying a dog groomer the cash (approximately $40 a piece) needed to groom three dogs every six to eight weeks. I am deciding if I want to do that in August. It would be $100 for the dog groomer class, but then I would need to buy the grooming tools. I am also going to contact a mobile dog groomer I heard about. Delores at BFF Rescue had thought that would be a good solution, but if I can get the girls used to the car, I probably won’t have to do that.

Shih Tzu Day 27: The Shih Tzu is a Siren

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You want me to do what?

shih tzu vote for Fromm chicken

This food takes like candy!Bright and early this morning, after we had gone outside, we fed the shih tzu sisters and Shiloh their regular food. Then, we brought out the sample Fromm food (chicken) I got at Paws n Play. I have been hearing a lot lately about dogs needing food with higher protein content, and Fromm was one of the brands someone had highly recommended. John hand-fed them the pieces, and all of them eagerly took it.

After we came in, Flower stretched out on the floor in front of me, as Dottie lay beside me, even with John on the couch! The shih tzus definitely are getting more comfortable, although some days we seem to go back a few steps.

Shiloh and the shih tzu Siren

Come up and see me some time. Flower and Shiloh entertained us before John left for work. I have been trying to keep these two dogs away from each other, since there seems to be a lot of growling when Shiloh and this particular shih tzu are in close proximity. However, this morning, John said he thought they might be playing, so I didn’t separate them.I have you eating out of the palm of my paw.

As I watched, I realized that, at least this time, Shiloh wasn’t egging on Flower. The shih tzu would tentatively approach him, sniff him, and then back away. Maybe Shiloh hadn’t been bothering her. In fact, I think she had decided she liked the attention!

“Flower has a boy toy!” I teased. “I saw you go up to him. Are you flirting with him, or are you picking a fight!”Nice — tags!

It started to make sense — those Maybelline eyelashes! That “come hither!” attitude. Oh, yes! This shih tzu was being coquettish. Had she been that way at the puppy mill? No, of course not. But had she lived another life before this, she would have been. At one point, she made me think of Mae West, and I laughed more.

I'm a lady, not a tramp!Now, with Shiloh standing at attention, Flower tried to growl fiercely. It was hard to really take this shih tzu seriously as a dangerous animal. As I watched the puppy play, Flower would run up to him, nudge him and then scramble across the floor to safety, with Shiloh tearing after her. At times, she would jump up on her couch, looking adorable on the red blanket, and Shiloh would leap up after her. Then, they were off in a new direction.My hair gets wild after heavy petting.

Several minutes later, Shiloh made a gesture that made me realize that he didn’t want to be “just friends.” No, not at all. She wanted flirtatious dog play, but he was looking for action. I scolded him then and told him to get off of her. He did, and Flower continued giving him the runaround.

The play continued. I was equally surprised when little sister Candy trotted out from their corner, jumped on Shiloh and got in the middle of the fray. Girls will be girls, and boys will love it.