Daily Archives: July 6, 2011

Shih Tzu Day 7: Flower Ventures Out

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Flower ventured out into the living room on her own tonight. This is the first time I’ve seen her do it. She walked around only for a few minutes and then went back to the pen.

I spent part of the day looking for doggie beds and food and water bowls for the shih tzus. When Barbara and Delores brought them over, they brought a dark grey oval cuddler that Dottie usually lies in. However they all take turns in it. They must like it because it’s comfy; I like it because the cushion comes out and can be washed separately.

I guess the bed is okay, as long as I can chew on my Pork Chomp in it!

They also brought over a striped, rectangular dog bed, but they don’t use it very often. I started out looking for beds at PetSmart and was disappointed with the variety. I did find some colorful oval cuddlers, but they didn’t have a removable cushion. Petco was even more disappointing. TJ Maxx had some cute beds, but still, without removable cushions. I ended up getting one-piece beds, including a large, rectangular bed from Murdoch’s that all three can lie on. Then, I bought a rectangular faux leather cuddler from Costco and a red corduroy one from the third PetSmart I went to.

Flower tried out the faux leather cuddler, but they seem to prefer huddling together on the Murdoch’s bed or climbing back in the grey cuddler. I know that part of it is just that it’s what they’re used to.

I had told Delores that I had bought a ceramic dog bowl from the Dollar Tree, but she mentioned concern about lead and said that aluminum or glass is probably the best, and that dollar stores usually carried some cheaper than PetSmart. I thought the ones I found at Family Dollar were too big for shih tzus, but I did buy two for water. I ended up getting smaller ones at TX Maxx. Of course, then I saw some a little bigger (and cuter) at Ross that I might have to go back and get.

While I was looking for beds and bowls, I couldn’t resist looking at some dog clothes. Some day!

Shih Tzu Day 7: The Doggy Circus is in Town

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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.