Shih Tzu Day 179: First Christmas with the Shih Tzus

Christmas morning grooming for the shih tzus

I got up at about 6 a.m. and finished wrapping presents. I got the stockings together for Dottie, Flower, Candy and Nigel. I put a stuffed animal and a lot of treats into each one. I added a light-up ball to Candy’s stocking. I don’t know which shih tzus might play with it, but I thought it was cute.

three <u/><u>shih tzus</u> with Christmas stockings.We had quiche and mimosas for our Christmas breakfast when John got up. Then, we got prepared to groom the shih tzus. We decided that Candy and Nigel didn’t need trimming, but we gave them baths. Candy was very still and we bathed her quickly, but Nigel squirmed constantly, so he took longer. He was a little better with the blow dryer. Flower and Dottie were very good, both during the grooming, their baths and drying.

After they were dry, we put Nigel in his Grinch outfit and the female shih tzus in their dog dresses. I swapped the red and white dresses Flower and Dottie wore when Deb took their pictures, but left Candy in the one with candy canes and ornaments. I thought we had a couple of hours to take some pictures with their new collars and dog tags and stockings, and to just spend some time with the shih tzus, but my stepdaughter called to say they wanted to come over early. We ended up hurrying to get pictures done and the living room cleaned up. We did get some cute pictures of the dogs with their Christmas stockings.

To add to the chaos, Flower must have been nervous because at some point, she relieved herself on the couch. She did it on a very furry throw, and it puddled on it. I was surprised but happy that it hadn’t reached the couch, but it did when I tried to move it. I threw the throw and the cushion cover in the laundry, so when company started arriving, I had to grab a different throw and cover the foam cushion.

Christmas guests

a shih tzu and a rawhide candy cane. Candy always seems the most nervous around guests, so I took her upstairs and sat her near our closet before anyone arrived. When Candace and her family arrived, the other two female shih tzus ran to Shih Tzu Central. While we waited for the other family members to show up, we sat around the dining room table talking. Dottie and Flower eventually made their way across the room to the dining room corner where Candy’s dog bed is. They didn’t socialize with the guests, but I think they wanted to be near me. They stayed there the whole time we sat there talking.

I brought Candy back downstairs later and sat her in Shih Tzu Central. I am trying to get the shih tzus all used to people, so I picked up Flower, Candy and Dottie at different times and held them for a while as I talked to different people. Nigel is usually Mr. Sociable Shih Tzu, but he wasn’t as people friendly as normal. It could be that he is not feeling well. He was panting on the bed last night. He could have just been hot.

The female shih tzus got back to normal quickly after everyone left. I took some of the rawhide treats out of their stockings, like the lollipops and gingerbread men, and spread them around. They were all chewing on them and on the rawhide candy canes, so I guess they liked them.

 

 

9 thoughts on “Shih Tzu Day 179: First Christmas with the Shih Tzus

    • I got so far behind in my December and even November posts that I had to skip a lot. I know it’s odd, but I am going to go back and fill in the missing parts. But to answer your question, I broke down and gave Flower Angel Eyes. She has been taking it for about a month and she is the most improved. Besides that, I have been giving all of them kibble that has a higher quality grain and a mix of meat and vegetables. Dottie still has tear stairs, so there might be something to what I’ve read about tap water being a problem. Flower’s face is so bright it is amazing!

  1. I just found your blog and LOVE it! I myself have started a blog a couple months ago about my Shih Tzu, Madison and my love for dogs. It’s so nice to “meet” others who blog about the same thing! You have done a wonderful job. The girls and Nigel are too CUTE!

  2. Beautiful Christmas photos! I hope the girls get less nervous over time! I love people but sometimes I have a little pee near strangers!

    Happy new year!

    Love,
    Gracie Lu shih Tzu

  3. Sounds like a nice Christmas! Everybody looks so cute in their Xmas outfits. Pumpkin peed on the couch not long after we got her and Lucy but she hasn’t done it since. We think she is like a little kid who holds it as long as she can and then just can’t hold it anymore. Too bad she doesn’t do a pee dance to let us know. Happy New Year to you, Di, your husband, Nigel, and the girls!

    • Sorry for not replying sooner! I have had computer problems and have spent most of my time catching up on work! ;-( Flower has been so good lately, but jumped up and peed on the couch this morning! Happy New Year to you too! I hope your holidays were wonderful.

Love to hear from you!