Shih Tzu Day 18: Candy, Wise Dog and Inquisitor

a shih tzu appearing to meditate in a garden.

Candy reminds me why I call her inquisitor

We stopped at Home Depot on the way back from church to look for a solution to block the other side of the porch, so we could expand the shih tzus’ play and exercise area. After eating leftover pizza from last night, we stepped out in the hot sun to survey the yard.

We decided that instead of blocking off the porch, we would move the fence/exercise pen around our flower bed and add the additional exercise pen we brought from Barbara’s to the two we have, doubling the size of their exercise/play area. I thought the girls might enjoy wandering between the flowers, or at least I hoped they would.

a shih tzu in a garden.

I also hoped to give them some grass for their paws, instead of the dirt that always seemed muddy lately, due to the rain. The pens wouldn’t stretch that far, however, but we did spread out some leftover mulch.

When we first tried to get them to explore, Flower was too busy barking at John to notice the new arrangement. Then, her and Dottie tried to run into the house, forcing their heads through a very small hole. That looked like it hurt!

Later, they were nervous again, because we were onto steam cleaning the hard wood floor in the living room and redoing the carpet. There is still a very strong smell of urine, and we are trying to get rid of it. We discovered that part of it was probably coming from the pad under the carpet. Also, part was probably coming from the shower curtain liner in their inside pen. Pee you!

It wasn’t just the noise from the steam cleaner that bothered them. I knew they were wondering why their pen kept moving or disappearing. We had to keep them in the kitchen while we cleaned their area. Flower tried desperately to get loose by sticking her head as far as she could beneath the baby gate. Again, I feared for her little head!

Outside, once they had calmed down, Candy wandered around contentedly, sniffing and wagging her tail. Our little inquisitor. Dottie sat faithfully by my feet, and Flower roamed up and down the porch, looking at me, looking at John, looking back at me, until she stopped long enough for me to pick her up. John attempted to pet her, showing her his hand slowly, and then rubbing her ears. She didn’t object. In fact, she let him pet her for several minutes.

Another part of their day that didn’t seem to appeal to them was their treats. Flower gnawed on her dental treat, and probably Candy’s, too, since I saw her take it from her (I don’t think Candy minded). Flower also was the one busily chewing on the Canyon Creek treat, and again, I saw her take Candy’s. I am beginning to see why Candy seems so independent. Her sister protects her, but she also picks on her. It doesn’t seem to be much different in the animal kingdom!

I think Dottie’s teeth prevent her from enjoying harder treats. Candy just doesn’t seem to care sometimes, which is lucky for Flower.

Candy, in fact, concerns me. She is the most calm, but sometimes I think she is too calm. She lay down in the dirt without moving for quite a while, and then lay down among the flowers. I hope she is just happy and that nothing is seriously wrong with her. That little tyke pulls at my heart, just like her sisters do.

Shih Tzu Day 18: The Strong Willed of the Shih Tzus

a chorus of shih tzus

two <strong srcset=shih tzus running up cow painted stairs.” width=”514″ height=”381″ />

Woke up a few times this morning, without a chorus of shih tzus barking, but forced myself to stay in bed. I was tired after getting up at 6 yesterday, plus, I knew if I moved, even to go to the bathroom, the shih tzus would hear me. Finally, when I was wide awake, I got up at 7:30 to go into the bathroom. Sure enough, I could hear the tags jingling, so I tried to stay very quiet, hoping the shih tzus would think they had been mistaken.

two shih tzus on a landing.

I had brought my camera upstairs last night, and set it down on the desk in the spare room, while the battery charged. I tiptoed in there to get it, but I wasn’t quiet enough. Candy came barreling up the stairs, with her shih tzu half-sisters behind her.

I made a mistake when I allowed Candy to enter her sanctuary. She disappeared inside and under the bed. I tried to snap photos of Dottie and Flower, but they moved too quickly. Also, they love to play with my hands in the morning, playfully biting them, and it’s hard to allow them and shoot pictures at the same time. Someday I need to get John up and have him hold the camera.

When I came downstairs, I was happy to see two separate urine spots on the training pad. Who would have ever thought that would make me so happy? My happiness was quickly dampened, however, by the sight of at least two sets of poop sprinkling the carpet near the pad. Sigh.

the strong willed shih tzu

Although I picked up all the poop I saw, John still stepped in some when he came down the stairs. Something about the way Flower was acting, plus a trail she was leaving, made me try to approach her to clean her butt. That was a step back.

Each time I got close to Flower, she bolted, until I finally felt my patience fraying. I finally walked out of the pen, pulled the section closed behind me, and said, “Fine. All of you are grounded!”

It was funny that the other two shih tzus knew they hadn’t irritated Mommy. They easily nudged their way out of the gate, although Flower sat in her bed, looking at me, thinking who knows what.

Shih Tzu Day 7: One Week Anniversary

There is just something exciting about the morning!

The shih tzu sisters woke us up at about 6 this morning.  We could hear them romping around, and one of them, probably Flower, was barking.

I forced myself to get up at 6:30 and go downstairs. All of them started dancing around. When I went into the kitchen to start getting their food together, they all followed me. Once again, however, when John came downstairs, they got back in their pen and sat there quietly. At least there was no growling.

Dottie and Flower still won’t go outside when I tell them to. As soon as John steps inside the play yard, however, they fly out. We have it set up so they walk out of the pen and behind the couch to the kitchen. From there, they just need to turn left and go out the backdoor. However, instead of doing that, they turn right and scatter into the dining room.

I now put a small safety gate up so they have to turn left. It worked, so it only took a few minutes to get them outside this morning. I was proud of Flower for following Candy’s example and pooping outside instead of on the carpet. Someone finally figured out how to use the training pad, too! Also, although they were tamer when John came outside and sat next to me, they still came up to me to be petted.

Shih Tzu Day 7: The Doggy Circus is in Town

You'd be having a bad hair day too!The shih tzu sisters have been doing great. We had Leticia and the grandchildren over all day Sunday. The dogs weren’t thrilled, but they didn’t seem traumatized.

We ate outside in the garage and let the children come in one by one to meet them. They behaved when Rema, Junior and Evita came in to meet them. They even came out into the room when Oriana was inside, but Flower did growl at Dulcea.

We were afraid how they would react badly to the Fourth of July activities, but they came through with flying colors. We tried to get them to go outside to do their business early in the evening, but fireworks went off and they scurried back inside. After that, we stayed inside and watched movies. They handled the gunshots and loud noises from “The Mechanic” well, so action movies shouldn’t be a problem. I think the noise on the TV blended in with the fireworks outside, so they were fine.

I saw you hide the chicken jerky!Candy did a little dance across the carpet last night that was adorable. I don’t know what it meant, but she sure is entertaining. They all dance around when I come downstairs in the morning, although they get serious when John appears. I know they will warm up to him, as soon as they realize he won’t hurt them.

When they continue to be most excited, however, is when they hear the Milo’s Kitchen bag rattling. Flower jumps around like a dancing horse and they all rush me. I’m not sure if that’s acceptable behavior, but I prefer them to be rambunctious over shaking in the corner of their exercise pen.

Don't even think you can jump higher than I can!Candy is pretty good about going outside willingly, but the other two still think they should do their business in the pen or on the carpet. I bought some training pads for them, but as soon as I put one down, Flower began wrestling with it.

 

 

Shih Tzu Prelude: Saying Goodbye to Our Dog Guest

Goodbye, Sweet Little Shih Tzu

Rosie gazes at me from the passenger seat.I called mom this morning to tell her about Bella, the runaway dog. She was bored and asked if I wanted to go to lunch. We went to Culver’s, which is our regular lunch place. When we got to PetSmart, I had them check the shih tzu for a microchip; I was disappointed, because she had one. I know; that’s selfish. I was really hoping someone had neglected taking care of that matter, and I would have an adorable dog!

How long do I have to wait?The woman at PetSmart took my phone number. Mom and I left the store, and I drove across the street to the Dollar Tree. I went in, leaving my phone charging in the car. When I came back out, Mom said that someone had tried to call. I checked my voice mail. A woman had left a message, saying that she heard I had Rosie, and that she would really like to see her again. I felt guilty for wishing that this dog didn’t have a chip, and she could be all mine.

I called the owner back and explained to her that I was out with my mother, but that I would bring Rosie home as soon as I was done. She told me that she had hired someone to mow the lawn, and the person had left the gate open. Rosie had taken the opportunity to explore, a day before we had found her. The woman and her friends had been praying to the Saint of Lost Animals for her safe return. They were praying that while I was praying she didn’t have a chip!

I could not bear to part from Rosie right away. After dropping off Mom, I ran an error for John, picking up a backpack from a military surplus store. I left Rosie in the car for a few minutes. When I walked out, the sweet, little thing was sitting up in the passenger seat, her paws on the dashboard, gazing out the window. I took out my Droid and snapped her picture.

I took her home and snapped a few more pictures, said my goodbyes and then loaded her back up into the car and drove to the address I had been given. As I walked up the walk, I hugged her and told her I would miss her. When I rang the doorbell, I heard a chorus of barking. When her person opened the door, three little white canine friends rushed forward, welcoming back their friend. I told the women that I had always wanted that many dogs and that I was jealous.

I ran back to my car for my Droid, so I could take more pictures. Rosie touched my heart when she gazed up at me while the other dogs raced around in circles. I am definitely going to miss this shih tzu! I feel guilty that I am wishing I had no conscience, and I had decided not to check this little darling for a chip!