Tag Archives: McDonald’s

Shih Tzu Day 80: Dottie’s Birthday Celebration

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shih tzu in a fur-lined tiara

A shih tzu Party with McDonald’s!

shih tzu in pink dress in car seatHello, everyone! Mom usually writes this blog, but she lets us blog when we want to. I want to today, because today is my birthday!

shih tzu wearing birthday hat, eating McDonalds burger and friesI didn’t really know it was my birthday today. The morning was just our typical morning. I sat outside Mom’s door until she finally opened it. We were really excited. We all jumped around, dancing, and I grabbed her hand with my mouth. We went down the stairs with her, and I went in the kitchen with her and waited while she got our breakfast together.

shih tzu wearing birthday hat and pink dressAfter breakfast, Mom and the Treat Man left for a few hours. When they came back, Mom made us put on dresses! I didn’t know why, because she only ever made us wear dresses one time before. Why would a shih tzu want to wear a dress! Anyway, then, Mom picked me up and took me into the garage. I started getting scared. Yep. I was right. She put me in the car in the front seat.

shih tzu wearing birthday hat and pink dressI couldn’t help it. I started shaking. I am one shih tzu that does not like car rides! Car rides usually mean bad things, like going to the vet or going to the groomer, or before in my life, going to a strange home. Mom kept talking to me, trying to reassure me that we weren’t going anywhere that would hurt me. That’s when she told me it was my birthday and I was 6 today. She said we were going to McDonald’s to get food for my birthday party.

shih tzu wearing green dress with hamburger bun in her mouthI still shook, though. She drove up to this window, and they handed her a bag that smelled good, but I didn’t pay much attention, because I was still afraid. Mom kept talking to me, and before I knew it, we were back home.

shih tzu in yellow dress with french fry in her mouthMom had all of us go outside, and then she put this funny thing on my head. She said I was a shih tzu princess and it was my tiara. She took some pictures of me and then she said she’d give it back to me later, but she wanted us to wear these silly hats. I stood still while she put it on me, but Candy and Flower ran away. She finally got a hat on Flower’s head, but not on Candy’s. She didn’t look very happy. I don’t know why, though. What shih tzu wants to wear a silly hats when she is eating?

three shih tzus in dresses and birthday hatsI could smell the food, and I was getting hungry! Finally, she cut a hamburger into pieces for me, Flower and Candy. Then, she put the hamburgers and fries down on the porch. We finally got to eat! Yum. It was really good.

When we came back inside, Mom said she wanted to take more pictures. Sigh. Candy had run upstairs to hide, but Mom caught her and brought her back to Shih Tzu Central, which is what Mom calls the corner where our dog beds are. Then, she put the hats back on all of our heads. She also gave me a bag of my very own treats. They were cold. There was a cute doggie on the front (I don’t think it’s a shih tzu!) and it said Dog Joy. Mom said she wasn’t going to open the bag, but the Treat Man wanted us to try one, so Mom opened it and split a treat between the three of us. It was good, but I think I like my apple and chicken treats better!

Mom said she didn’t buy me a toy, because I never play with toys. She did give me lots of hugs and kisses, though. I don’t mind kisses, but I hate when she tries to kiss my nose! I’d much rather she would just pet me!

All in all, I had a good birthday!

Shih Tzu Day 28: Romper Room Revival

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Living on the Romper Room Set

I can see Flower and Dottie...I can see Candy...John and I were talking this morning about the cute factor of living with these shih tzu sisters. He said he was thinking about the little tykes and thought of the children’s TV show, “Romper Room.” I knew exactly what part he was talking about, when the hostess held up her “magic mirror,” and said, “I can see …” and named off the guests. My magic mirror is my camera: “I can see Candy and Flower and Dottie … and Shiloh.”

McDonald’s Again

I decided to continue my experiment with Flower and take her to McDonald’s again. It was a repeat of yesterday. Yup. She hated the car ride again, but, no poop, so we are improving!

I took her home, took the kids out back and fed them a gourmet lunch on the porch. She might not have liked her trip, but at least maybe she will start to realize that something bad doesn’t happen each time she gets in the car. I wish I had tried harder with our Yorkie, Joey. She thought every trip was a trip to the groomer or vet, and she shook violently anytime she got in the car. Then again, every trip was a trip to the groomer or the vet because of the way she felt in the car!

What a Rush

Let's rush her. She's hiding food.When we came inside, the girls weren’t ready to go back to their safe zone. They all roamed around the living room for a while. Flower and Dottie’s tails were wagging. I still haven’t figured out if Candy actually wags her tail. I don’t seem to ever catching her doing it.

Flower decided to repose on the floor between the safe zone and me to take a small nap. It’s odd. The dogs will be in their corner, and suddenly, somethinThis dog is a funny color. It's not our sister, is it?g will set them off, and it’s like someone let them out of their cage. They descend on me, cute as a bunch of little lions. I can see why they’re called “lion dogs.” Especially Flower. Sometimes the way they rush me reminds me of those zombie movies.

I disappeared for a while to go upstairs to gather laundry. The girls thought it was morning again. When I came down, they started their prancing and biting routine.

The Orange Dog

Candy and Flower have finCandy is such a pushover! ally decided to play with the orange dog I got them. Candy was carrying it around, tugging on it for a while, but then Flower, the bully, took it from her.  When Flower got tired of them, she leaped up onto the couch to visit me. Her time limit seems to be about five minutes.

Not Dad Yet

Flower still barked, growled and ran when John came in. She scurried around the room, darted here and there, while the other three dogs took treats from him. I think it would be a little better if Shiloh wasn’t constantly trying to be front and center. I know the day will come when they will realize that he’s a good dad. It’s a strange switch. Joey was so devoted to John. But, I know they will come around.

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.