Category Archives: Prelude

Shih Tzu Prelude: Last Dogless Day

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I called the shih tzus’ foster mom today to see if I could come see them at 10. I imagine this might be my last visit to see them at Barbara’s house. John and I just need to make our final preparations tonight and then it is up to Delores to see when we take the girls home.

Candy, Flower and Dottie huddle together in their exercise pen.

I didn’t take them out to the dog run, as we have done on all past visits, because I was only staying for a short time. Barbara came in and held one of the shih tzus while we were talking. I was petting the shih tzu and telling her that one day soon she would let me hold her and Flower would as well. Barbara said, “This is Flower.” I was surprised. I really wasn’t looking at the dog’s face, but just petting her and not paying attention. She was so docile, and I am used to Flower growling. Every now and then I get those glimpses of what Flower will act like once she is used to me — at least I hope so.

I have been looking for safety gates and exercise pens on Craigslist, even though Barbara and Delores said I could take the exercise pen they have. I figure if I get something intended for inside, we can use that one outside somehow. I called someone yesterday on a North States Superyard in Commerce City. It was listed for $50. However, I saw the same thing at Walmart.com for the same amount. I asked the woman if she would go lower, and she said she would take $30. John went and got it on his way home from work. We got a better deal than I thought. The play pen has six sides, and a two-sided extension sells for an extra $20. I didn’t realize this one had the extension already. I was pleased with it. It’s sturdy plastic instead of metal, so it looks more like a baby pen. In fact, it is made for babies. Ironically, the pet stores sell the same thing by the same company under a different name for nearly $100. So, I am very pleased with the purchase.

Shih Tzu Prelude: Past, Present & Future?

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We were getting ready to do the work we need to do to get ready for the shih tzus when Kelsey and Todd, the newlyweds who live next door, came over. They brought us a bottle of wine for watering their plants while they were gone, and we ended up spending some time talking about their wedding and looking at pictures of the wedding and reception on Facebook.

We told them about finding Rosie on the bike path, returning her to her owner and our upcoming fostering and possible adoption of Candy, Flower and Dottie. I have to admit that I have some worries. Will these three shih tzus ever be as sweet, adorable and loving as Rosie had already become when she went back home — only two days after we found her?

Although John and I haven’t progressed as far on the home improvements as we need to, I wrote Delores to tell her we would be ready for inspection Thursday. I know July 4 is a scary time for dogs, so I am hoping they have a few days to settle in before the noise begins.

Delores said that a couple of people have called about Candy. That’s understandable. This little shih tzu has such a sweet face. When she told me that, though, I thought, “They haven’t met her, so they probably don’t know that they are in for some work.” Just hope it’s rewarding work!

Shih Tzu Prelude: Preparing for the Foster Doggies

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John and I didn’t have much time to prepare for the shih tzus over the weekend. Our granddaughter Evita spent the night to celebrate her upcoming birthday. Sunday, after church, my stepson, Gabe; his girlfriend, Crystal; and her daughter, Avi; as well as Leticia and her five children came over to eat and swim.

We did get to Murdocks, though, and bought two exercise pens to put together as one and put up in the backyard. We pulled weeds when John got home and measured where the exercise pens would go. I am anxious to get the fur children home. I hope everything works out.

Shih Tzu Prelude: Flower’s Carefree Side

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Visitation Continues

I went to see my potential foster daughters this morning. I am not getting far with Flower. That little shih tzu began growling instantly. Dottie seemed a little friendlier. She did let me hold her, but she won’t make eye contact. When I tried to sit in their pen, Flower began barking and immediately rushed to sit in front of Candy. I think that Candy would probably adjust more quickly if Flower wasn’t trying to protect her.

I startled the dogs by rattling one of the bags of dog treats, and Dottie jumped off my lap and ran to huddle with the others. I finally convinced her and then Flower to take some chicken jerky. Candy had to venture out a little to get some from my hand, and I picked her up. I could tell she didn’t like it, because she leaned away from me, but she did let me scratch her ears and pet her for a while.

Once they went outside, Dottie and Candy ran up to me repeatedly for a treat. Flower finally came over. The most hope came from the fact that Flower jumped up and down excitedly near Barbara when she came outside. I take that to mean that one day she might be excited and happy around us, instead of growling and barking and scared.

Barbara said that they were gone quite a bit over the weekend, so the dogs weren’t that happy with them.

I am hoping to take the dogs home by July 4, so we need to hurry up and get the needed work done. We have to provide them a dog run or exercise pen and make sure they can’t get under the porch. We also have to put up something over the bottom of the fence, such as chicken wire, so they can’t get out. Then, if we put the exercise pen in the living room, we need to figure out how to herd them from the pen and out the back door. I think we can pull the couch out and make a walkway so that they walk behind the couch into the kitchen to go outside.

Shih Tzu Prelude: Come a Little Bit Closer

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shih tzu visitation

I went to visit Dottie, Candy and Flower, my potential daughters, this morning. Although Dottie follows Barbara around, she doesn’t come to me. Of course, Barbara has been foster mother to this sweet, shy little shih tzu for five months.

I sat in the exercise pen with the three shih tzus for a while, but then decided that Dottie might be distracting the little ones. Barbara took her to another room, and I talked to Candy and Flower. Barbara bought me some of the doggy chicken jerky that they love. Every five minutes or so, I would move a little closer to the shih tzus, huddled at the other end of the pen. Finally, I was close enough to offer them the treat. Flower finally took one, and then another. Candy kept her head behind Flower, but she finally got too curious and tentatively took a piece from my hand.

mixed reactions

The shih tzus had eaten all the chicken jerky in about 10 minutes. Next, I reached over to scratch Candy’s ears. She let me do it for several minutes. However, when I tried to scratch Flower’s ears, she growled and acted like she was going to bite me, so I backed away.

We next went out to their dog run. Dottie stayed at the opposite end of the run. Flower ran back and forth, always stopping a few feet short of where I sat, but Candy convinced herself to come and see if I really had more chicken jerky.

Candy would come near me, grab the food and skitter back, moving especially quickly if I even raised my arm a little. She kept coming back, however, until she had eaten all the jerky. I have to admit that Candy is the reason I keep coming back.

I stayed for about an hour and a half. John and I will be preparing a dog run in the backyard tomorrow, covering the bottom of our wooden fence with chicken wire, so they can’t escape, and putting lattice around the back porch, so they can’t crawl under and out of our reach. I don’t know if we will bring them home Monday or not.