All About Shih-Tzus

The Boys Lose their Grandma

2009-06-29T12:29:00.007-05:00

The boys know something is up. We're gone for long periods of time, and they've seen more of our family coming and going than ever before. People are always dropping in and staying the night. And then we're all gone again for hours.

They haven't had their bath or brushing like they always did. Their walks to the lake have become non-existent. When their mom and dad come home, they don't do much more than fall on the couch and sleep. And through it all the boys are the most patient, caring little guys you could ever wish for.

Although they don't know exactly what's going on, we know they will never see their Grandma again because Grandma is in the hospital and, after being poked and prodded and tested for the last month, we are told there is no hope for recovery and she is simply being kept comfortable until she takes her last breath which, we believe, will be at any time.

The boys became close to Grandma when she stayed with us for seven months. Grandma had surgery on her hand and was supposed to be here for about four weeks to recover. However, with complications and further surgeries, she was here for almost a year.

Every night as she slowly made her way to her bedroom, the boys would run ahead and go into her room. They'd check it out, sniffing every nook and cranny, and then return to the doorway when all was clear. When she woke up in the morning, the boys were waiting to greet her with their tails wagging and their bodies wiggling with joy. It put a smile on her face every day and, after she went home,she said the one thing she missed the most were the boys greeting her each morning and coming to say goodnight. During the day, they would sit with her in her chair and cuddle with her. They never worried that she limped and walked with a cane...they would patiently wait for her. They never saw her twisted, arthritic hands...all they felt were the warm caresses those hands provided each and every day. When my husband and I went on vacation, Grandma was always the first to volunteer to house sit with the boys so they didn't have to go to a kennel.

The boys continue to run into "her bedroom" and look around even though Grandma is not there. They sometimes will sit in the room and have a little nap. It seems to bring them comfort to be there. Last night we noticed the little nightlight we placed next to Grandma's bed was on. We did not turn it on as we don't really even go into that room. But perhaps this is Grandma's way of letting us know that even in her comatose state, she still comes to visit.

The new bed?

2009-05-20T15:54:00.002-05:00

How Rocki manages to fall asleep is truly beyond me. His new "bed" is at the top of the couch buried in the cushion. And yes, he is actually sleeping in this shot.

Are your dogs treated better than people?

2009-04-29T18:00:00.008-05:00

I've often had people jokingly comment that my dogs are treated better than most people. And the fact of the matter is yes, at times they are. I treat people the way they deserve to be treated.

Why are dogs special? Dogs, and pets in general, remind us that relationships do not have to be complicated. Simple concepts like love, empathy and respect are lost in our day-to-day interactions with others, but our pets bring us back to reality and show us just how simple it can be.

Dogs just want to love you, no matter what you look like. When you are angry, stressed, moody or anxious, they are there to offer their love. When you are happy, all they want is to share your joy. When you are sad, they lick your tears away. All they ask for in return is food, water and the pleasure of your company. Dogs who are abused or neglected act out in many ways, either with anger or through destruction.

People, on the hand, are more complex. They will pick on any physical characteristic that deviates from "perfection". We are constantly judged, and often rejected, based on our looks, our body types, our clothes, our hair, our "titles" or status in society, and all other aspects of our being. We deal with family members, friends, acquaintances and strangers that gripe, grump, complain, demand money and disrespect us. How many people do you know that love unconditionally? I bet you can count them on one hand. How many people disrespect you and then expect money or other items from you? How many people just take and never give of themselves? I could go on and on but I think you get the point.

Have you ever come home from a bad day at work stressed to the max and are greeted at the door by your pet's wagging tail, wiggling body and the sheer joy they exhibit at your arrival home? At that point, your heart melts and all the stress from the day washes away as you greet your four-legged friend.

The only demands your pet ever makes on you is for pats, cuddles and snuggling. And, of course, the occasional treat. They don't call you names, criticize you, expect money for nothing, insist on bigger and better toys because the dog next door got one, refuse to be seen in public with you because you embarrass them in front of other dogs, greet your family with disdain, or refuse to associate with you or others. Their emotions are pure, honest and positive, and they are not afraid to show them to you.

So you know, you get treated the way you treat others. And my dogs have nothing but love for us as well as anyone who comes to our home. So yes...I treat them well. I treat good people well too. And anyone who disrespects us? Don't even bother stepping foot through the door.

Dog Food and "People Food" - Is there a difference now?

2009-04-17T01:23:00.003-05:00

I'm seeing a lot of commercials for dog food that now offer beef, vegetables and sometimes, a bit of rice. For example, look at http://www.proplan.com/wet-dog-food/beef-vegetables-entree/.

Now when I last took Bruiser to the vet when he was sick, she asked what he was eating. "Is he still eating 'people food' like meat and vegetables?" She says "people food" with the same sort of disgust as if you were talking about feeding them human flesh. I lied...just dog food. Hmm, she says, pleased. So if I said "dog food" and was referring to the Proplan, what is the difference? The only difference I can see is that I actually know where my meat and vegetables are coming from. And that's my brother-in-law's farm where his cattle are free range and the soil where the vegetables are grown have never seen a chemical of any kind.

Coincidentally, this vet just happens to sell a certain brand of dry dog food as well as this company's wet food. I did buy the wet food, on the vet's recommendation, one time. I opened the can and the food looked like day-old puke that was sitting in the sun. But I dutifully put it on a plate and the dogs came to sniff it. Both turned their noses up and never returned. I threw out the plate after a day and half of no interest and donated the remaining cans to a shelter.

So the question becomes whether or not vets are actually interested in the health of your beloved pets, or is making a buck by peddling a certain company's food the ultimate goal?

What's with these Denta Stix?

2009-03-31T16:55:00.006-05:00

The boys love Denta Stix. I'm not sure why but whatever they've got in there....the doggie version of catnip or something...my dogs go crazy over them. However, the boys do eat goose poop whenever they can access it and moths, when they're in season, so nothing really surprises me.

What did surprise me though is how nice Bruiser's teeth are. Rocki isn't a good test subject because he doesn't actually chew anything...he breaks it into tiny pieces and swallows. I'm not sure how to teach him to chew, but that's another story...

I did have chicken-flavored toothpaste the vet gave me as well as a little finger brush. I tried brushing the dogs' teeth in the past, but they were more interested in eating the toothpaste and chewing the finger containing the brush rather than letting me scrub their teeth. So when I took Bruiser to the vet one day, the vet commented that he had a lot of plaque on his teeth. I shuddered...how much was his dental bill going to cost down the road? I had to do something.

So we tried different kinds of cleaning bones but the dogs turned their noses up at them. Then one day I found Denta Stix and thought what the heck? Let's give them a try. Well, the dogs actually dance and leap around for Denta Stix and promptly run off in separate areas of the house to devour their treat. Bruiser wolfs his down, although chewing is involved. Rocki takes his time, so in the picture Bruiser is actually waiting for Rocki to turn his head for a split second so he can sneak in and grab the Denta Stix. But the plaque on Bruiser's teeth is gone, so whatever is in those things is actually working. Now to get Rocki to understand the concept of chewing...

The boys get the flu

2009-03-07T06:41:00.006-06:00

I never thought dogs got the flu, but mine did.

It started one morning with Bruiser when he threw up. I cleaned his mess and wondered what he had eaten since eating something they shouldn't is the usual culprit. However, the vomitting didn't stop but got worse. He also was running outside frequently with diahrrea and that's when I knew something was wrong. He wasn't eating or drinking and I had visions of Parvo all over again, so I called the vet and asked if I could bring him in and have him checked out.

Luckily, the vet was very accommodating and I was able to bring him in within the hour. They did a physical checkup and everything seemed okay. They used the rectal thermometer and his temperature was normal. The did the bum smear and that too came out normal. They also did blood tests to check for internal diseases but his blood work came back as normal. So, after $280 the verdict was that he had a virus and was given electrolytes to rehydrate him and a shot of something that stopped the vomitting for 24 hours so he could eat and drink. After that I took him home and let him sleep. By the late afternoon he was drinking water and eating a bit and by the next morning he seemed almost back to his old self again.

So life went on and at about 10:00 at night I settled in to watch a movie and, as usual, started dozing off. That's when Rocki woke me, frantically pawing on the blanket, and ran to the door. I dragged myself up and let him outside where he promptly began throwing up. Oh no...Rocki caught the same thing that Bruiser had.

To make a long story short, I was running to the door with him every 10 or 15 minutes until 2:30 in the morning while he threw up and had bouts of diahrrea. I finally fell asleep on the couch at 3:00 a.m. and at 5:00 we began the process again. Finally, it appeared that Rocki had nothing left inside him and curled up to sleep. The vet had given me two extra anti-vomitting pills for Bruiser and I didn't have to use them, so I got one down Rocki's throat and coerced him into having a bit of water. That's the one thing about Rocki - he is the most obedient little guy I've ever seen. His greatest fear is that one of us is cross with him for some reason, so when I tapped on his water dish and kept telling him to "come", he did and drank. Once he started drinking, it's almost like he couldn't stop he was so dehydrated and drank a good bit of water. Then I settled him down and he had a good long nap.

The only real difference in behavior between this flu and Parvo was that this time, the boys were not listless and without energy like Rocki was with Parvo. Although they weren't running amok like they usually do, they still trotted to the door or from room to room looking for the perfect place to nap. With Parvo, they don't have the energy to move. And that's the big difference that I noticed. However, if I had to do it again, I would still have taken Bruiser to the vet to have this checked out.

Although I was prepared to run Rocki to the vet that day, he seemed to be getting better and by late afternoon was drinking on his own and sniffing at his food dish. By supper he was eating little bits and pieces and holding it down. By the next morning he was racing around and eating like he'd never seen food before. Neither he nor Bruiser threw up again nor did they have diarrhea. Both are back to normal after about a 24 hour bout of the flu.

Of course, the question became where did these two little house dogs pick up a virus? Well, two days prior to Bruiser falling ill, we had them at a new groomer where there were other dogs and a doggie day care. They were in holding cages, on a groomer's table, and walking around on the floors. So that's where they caught it. But, obviously, there's nothing you can do about it because they have to be groomed and you absolutely cannot monitor every dog they come in contact with, so I guess flus for dogs are just a fact of life.

Sleep Disturbances? It's just Rocki.

2009-02-14T21:59:00.004-06:00

Rocki has recently decided that it is not okay for my husband to sleep in our home.

My husband works night shift and can often be found on the couch snoozing. It's not that he's snoring or making any noises, but the mere fact that he's sleeping drives Rocki to distraction. He will march to the couch, growl at my husband and, if there is no response, he will jump on him to wake him up.

If I fall asleep, it's okay. If Bruiser falls asleep, that's okay too. When my husband falls asleep, it's time to wake him.

What goes through his mind is beyond me. If I see him approaching my sleeping spouse, I try and coerce him over to me with toys, treats and voice commands. Nothing works...he is on a mission and will not be distracted. If I go over and pick him up and take him to another room, the minute I set him down he will make a beeline to where my husband is and start growling at him and jump on him. My husband's head is the favored landing spot, but his chest makes a good secondary target when the head is not readily accessible. Rocki will then stand on his chest and growl.

Although my husband is shocked out of sleep and wants to be mad at him, the sight of those two big brown eyes and wagging tail melts his heart and dissipates his anger. Usually Rocki emerges from this escapade with lots of hugs, cuddles and pats.

Sun Worshipping Shih-Tzus

2009-01-14T12:14:00.005-06:00

My little boys are definitely sun worshippers, even though they're not near a beach.

In the morning, the front room faces the east and the sun's warm rays bathe them in light. This is their favorite place in the morning, especially since it's been ridiculously cold here. How does -47 degrees sound? And if you're wondering if that's Farenheit or Celcius, they meet at -42 so it doesn't matter.

Going outside is tough for the little ones. They're not out more than 5 seconds having the fastest pees in history. When it's this cold, they don't eat as much or drink as much. It's like they somehow know that if they eat or drink, they'll have to go outside at some point so they hold off until the weather warms up.

So this is how they spend a bitterly cold winter day - sunbathing on their favorite rug.

Renovations are over!

2009-01-07T21:44:00.005-06:00

Life has returned to normal for the boys...except the carpet is missing. For me this is a joyous time. For the dogs, they just want their stinky carpet back.

They continue to look in vain for it. Bruiser was even caught trying to search behind the couch, but then he got stuck between the end table and the couch and I had to rescue him. As far as the boys are concerned, the carpet just up and disappeared. They're still not too sure about the flooring but I think they'll get used to it after a while. Thankfully, they have found refuge in the living room because the carpet is still there. Although, if I get my way, it won't be there for long.

However, now that all the furniture is back in place and their bedding, toys and chewies have returned to the family room, life is not so bad. Rocki doesn't think so anyway...he looks pretty comfortable to me. Bruiser still appears a bit bewildered, but is slowly adjusting to his new circumstances.

For anyone interested in what porcelain tile is all about or what's involved in a tile renovation, I've detailed it at www.squidoo.com/porcelaintile.

What happened to the kitchen?

2008-12-29T10:32:00.006-06:00

It's day whatever of what started off as a five day tiling renovation and work has just begun again after a nine-day hiatus that included the tiler getting snowed in at an airport after a weekend trip and Christmas. That meant over the Xmas holidays, we had no fridge and no stove. We had bare concrete on the floor. Christmas tree? Nope...didn't even put it up because our front rooms were so full of furniture and appliances we had no room for a tree. So Christmas came and went for us just like another day.

The dogs are trying to manage but they have had to adjust to the changes. No longer do they run the "racetrack" through the kitchen and family room. One day when they came bounding out of the dining room, you could hear the screech as they put on the brakes when they hit the concrete in the kitchen. So, no more racetrack. Chasing toys through the house? Can't do it because there are too many obstacles in their way. The water dish? First it's by the front door, then it's back in the kitchen, then it's back by the front door...they're not quite sure where to look for it anymore. Time to go outside? They went to the back door. Now they have to go to the front door and get harnessed up. Then they could go out the back door again, although they were running to the front door to let me know. I retrained them to go to the back and now they have to go out the front again.

So as of today, the plan is everything will be finished this week. Today and tomorrow the rest of the tiles will be laid and Wednesday it all gets grouted. I'm crossing my fingers and the dogs are crossing their paws that we get our house back this week.

Day 4 of the reno and one room is ready!

2008-12-21T18:55:00.005-06:00

Yesterday our tile guys grouted the family room and told us we could walk on the floor today and, if we wanted, start moving our furniture in.

We were ecstatic to finally be able to check out some of the changes. Bruiser, however, beat us to it and tore into "his space" to see what the heck had happened to his carpet. As you can see, the first test was the "face rub" and something was definitely different. Rocki was having a nap. His usual attitude toward change is "whatever" so actually rising from his cozy little bed was just far too much effort. Bruiser, on the other hand, is known around here as "the little inspector" because he needs to know what is going on everywhere at all times. His room was no different - he had to inspect every square inch before we could coerce him out.

Tomorrow? Tiling begins in the kitchen and eating area. The "fun" continues...

Surviving the Reno

2008-12-19T11:08:00.005-06:00

Rocki and Bruiser do their best to live through the renovation, but for my husband and I it's a bit harder to adjust. Not only are we living with the furniture from the family room and kitchen, but we have to manoeuver around the fridge and stove. And all of this is in the dining room along with the dining room furniture.

Throughout the tiling process, with saws and tile cutters going throughout the day, the boys have stayed pretty close and follow me like a shadow wherever I go. They eat less, drink less and sleep more. They don't chase each other, don't play with their toys and have even lost interest in their chewies. Sleeping seems to be their only source of comfort during this tumultuous time.

Day 2 of the Reno

2008-12-18T10:43:00.005-06:00

My poor boys are not allowed anywhere near "their area" because it's now covered with mesh and a layer of cement that has to dry. We all cannot go near this area and continue to spend our time squeezed into the living room along with an empty fridge and stove, the kitchen table and family room furniture.

However, we have found a sunny little area where I've placed the dogs' bedding. Bruiser has adjusted to quite well to his new surroundings. Rocki is Rocki - he plops himself down wherever he happens to be when he gets tired. If it's on the bed, that's fine. If it's on my husband's track shoe, that's fine too.

I've had to put on their harnesses and leashes to take them out to the front to do their business, so last night at 4:00 a.m. they got me up. They were grunting incessantly which usually means "I have to go outside...NOW". I've been sleeping in my sweats so I can jump up and take them out quickly, so I leashed them up, put on my winter coat and boots and took them outside into the frigid night. However, rather than relieve themselves, they promptly made a beeline for another dog's pee stain on the snow that they had discovered earlier in the evening and began sniffing it. They didn't have to go pee...they wanted to inspect the "intruder's" mark. I was not amused. I hustled them back in the house, unleashed them, and went back to bed.

So that is our life right now. The dogs are a bit disoriented, but so are we. Today there is loud music coming from the kitchen. The tile guys asked if it was okay to have a radio on while they worked and I told them if it helps them work faster, by all means go for it. Our little ones aren't used to loud music so it's just another adjustment they're learning to make.

Day 1 of the Reno

2008-12-16T20:33:00.005-06:00

This morning, all the furniture was removed and the carpet was rolled up. As you can see, the boys saw this as a new opportunity for romping, jumping and chasing each other on their new "toy".

Always curious, they had to inspect every inch of the carpet and underlay and then decided that it was a great area to chase each other. Needless to say we had a hard time getting the carpet out of the room without the dogs.

Life got a bit more confusing when they realized all their stuff was moved into the living room. And, to top it all off, two big guys started loading box after box of tile and the mountain got bigger with numerous bags of cement. Ever the daredevil, Bruiser managed to leap onto 3. 5 feet of tile and jump off the other end to see what's going on in his room. We had no choice but to build up the mountain and now, at close to 5.5 feet, I think we're pretty safe in assuming he's not going to jump it. However, the night is not over...

Tonight, the boys are restless. Although their bedding is in another room, it's not quite "home". They've tried to return to the regular area in front of the fireplace, but nothing is there. I've had to coerce them back into the living room with new chewies and dog treats and physically place them on their bedding. According to the tile guys, this reno will take about 6 days. Tomorrow the fridge and stove come out of the kitchen and there will be no more steak dinners for the boys...it's dog food for the duration of the reno. Of course, it could also be burgers if "dad" goes to McDonalds which is somewhere we typically avoid, but in a crunch food is food and the boys are not adverse to cheeseburgers.

Life Becomes Topsy-Turvy for the Boys

2008-12-14T08:45:00.005-06:00

Although they don't know what's going on exactly, the boys know that something is up. First, some furniture disappeared from "their area". Next went some baseboards. Tomorrow will bring more changes as the rest of the furniture moves and the carpet gets ripped out. And then the boys will find out what is really happening - we are getting new flooring.

Finally, the worn out smelly, stained carpet will be gone and replaced with porcelain tile. And although I have been looking forward to this day for quite some time, I am also dreading the thought that for five days, we will be unable to use the family room and the kitchen. And, because the patio and fenced area for the boys is off the kitchen, I will have to put on their harnesses and leashes and take them out the front door to do their business. Did I mention it's around -40C outside??? And did I also mention that Rocki likes to go out for 3 seconds about 15 times a day? I am not looking forward to this. Their bedding will be moved into the living room and their food and water dishes will go by the front door. Yes, it's going to be ugly for five days, but I am so looking forward to the finished product.

It's not just the odd accident on the carpet that was driving me nuts to clean. Many dog treats leave stains as well. I remember the strawberry chew I picked up for them at a pet store. They eagerly gnawed on the treat and finished it off quickly. However, at the end, I had two pink dogs and a pink carpet. Then there's the muddy paws, the wet paws, the snowy paws, the puke and all sorts of reasons why I am so looking forward to having a washable floor!

What is that white stuff?

2008-11-07T14:43:00.004-06:00

Two days ago the boys and I went for a run on the grassy area behind the house. I was in a t-shirt, the sun was shining and there was hardly a breeze.

Yesterday, we got hit with a winter storm and this was what we woke up to this morning. Although it looks pretty, it's ass-biting cold. Although the dogs do go out, they do their business real quick and run back in. Quite frankly, none of us were prepared for this nor are we ready for it. As you can see, the plants on the patio were still green and the geraniums were still blooming. They didn't know what was coming either.

Rocki the "healer"

2008-10-21T20:33:00.005-05:00

Our little guy instinctively wants to heal others.

When his brother had an ear infection, I noticed it because Rocki made me aware of it. At first he kept licking his brother's ear. Whenever Bruiser went to scratch his ear, Rocki would jump on me and get my attention. Then he would run back to his brother and stare at me as if to say "do something!". If I didn't respond, he'd go through the process again - jump on me, then run back to his brother. After Bruiser was treated for the infection, Rocki would check his ear every day at intervals to make sure that the ear was in fact okay. He'd sniff, and then walk away. I learned to rely on Rocki's instincts when determining if the medication was actually working on his brother.

Last week I caught a very bad cold. As I was laying on the couch, Rocki jumped on me and began sniffing until he pinpointed the source of the problem - my nose. He tried to lick it to take the infection away. I stopped him from doing this but he is persistent - he sensed something was wrong and had to make it better. He kept trying to lick my nose no matter what. If I was sitting up, he tried climbing up my chest to get to it. When I pulled him off and set him down, he jumped up to the arm of the couch, made his way to the back and crawled along the top to come around from my shoulder in order to lick my nose.

I've never seen a dog so determined to take care of others. If you push him away, he will come back with more force to finish what he has started. At our home, we've just come to accept that Rocki is the nurse in residence.

Making Your Own Dog Food

2008-10-04T08:00:00.006-05:00

I bought a book that had a number of healthy recipes for dogs that you make yourself. So I decided to put on my baker's hat one day and make the dog biscuits they recommended.

After baking a huge batch, I proudly presented my handiwork to the boys. The dogs came, sniffed the biscuits and walked away. They never actually ate them, although they were full of healthy products and no chemicals. I tried one and quite frankly, I wouldn't want to eat it either. In the end, all 50+ biscuits went to the trash.

However, having said that, I realize where I went wrong with the recipe and am determined to try it again. I just need a better recipe.

So for anyone who wants to try making food for their dog on their own, I did find a web link that offers free dog food recipes. Some of them look good enough for me to eat and the biscuits actually look like they may have some taste, so I think I'll try a couple of them and see if the boys like it.

Bunny returns

2008-09-25T07:01:00.006-05:00

The open space beyond our fence is a favorite walking path for dog owners and wild creatures alike. So, the boys regularly patrol the yard, marking the outer edges to let all who pass know who's territory it is.

The boys are quite comfortable with the parade of Canada geese and selected dogs which pass by their property. They've given a "free pass" to these ones and simple watch as they go by. Unknown dogs get a bit of a bark but nothing much. Bruiser absolutely despises the collies that walk past and lets them know it with barks, grunts and frantic marking. Rocki comes along for moral support on each of these outings, but doesn't make a sound. He'll mark for good measure, but isn't really sure why.

But nothing gets the dogs on guard more than when bunny comes back to town. Bunny is not afraid of them...he sits on the grass outside the fence and watches them. Bruiser will growl and mark and run around, and bunny just sits and stares, his little nose twitching and all his sense alert. Rocki wags his tail which further infuriates Bruiser. How could his brother let bunny come so close? Bruiser is not sure what to make of bunny. At times he is actually wagging his tail. Perhaps he wants to play? Other times he'll try to be menacing with growls and barks. But no matter what he does, bunny just sits and stares. So as fall draws closer and the rabbits begin foraging for food to get them through the winter, Bruiser is on guard to let bunny knows where he stands on his territory.

The Loyal Shih-Tzu

2008-09-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

My little Rocki (aka Munchkin) is just over 2 years old and still follows me around like a shadow.

If I'm in the basement, he's at the top of the stairs with his tiny face peering down. If I'm on the couch, he's on the floor next to my foot. If I'm sitting on the floor, he's curled himself around my legs. If I'm having a shower, he's patiently waiting outside the door until I come out. If I'm upstairs working, he's at the bottom or the top of the staircase waiting with the patience of a saint.

Bruiser is a bit more independent but still exhibits the same traits. He's always around, but he's a little further back.

Shih-Tzus are loyal - they are always there keeping you in sight. They may not be right next to you, but be assured as you're going about your day, they're in the room or just outside the room watching and waiting for you.

Strange Habits

2008-09-22T06:20:00.000-05:00

The other day I was watching television and my oldest was going nuts. He kept going to the footstool, grunting, and coming back to me. Back and forth...back and forth. This went on for about five minutes. He usually does this if one of his toys is missing, but the stool is so low that there couldn't possibly be a toy underneath.

I figured he was just having an episode and tried to ignore it, but he got louder and more insistent. It was obvious I could not watch television in peace until I discovered what was going on.

So I went over to the footstool, moved it and sure enough - there was one tiny kibble of dog food under the stool. Bruiser promptly grabbed it, ate it in a split second, and went along his merry way. I might mention that the boys had a pile of dog food sitting in their dish. But Bruiser absolutely had to have that one piece that was under the stool.

And that's the Shih-Tzu. When something is theirs, they want it and they want it when they want it, and you will have no peace until they get it.

Breeding for Money

2008-09-07T12:11:00.005-05:00

I found some information this morning while having coffee and surfing the web. It's videos and reports on puppy mills. Hard to watch but I think necessary to inform people just how awful the conditions are in puppy mills. The articles and videos were compiled by a reporter and photographer who went undercover.

"It's the stench first. Then you recognize that buzzing sound. It's flies swarming around the dirty cages where the puppies live, around the green scum that floats in their water bowls." more...

What kind of flooring is best for small dogs?

2008-09-02T22:31:00.010-05:00

I need to replace the carpet in the family room that adjoins the kitchen. So with two little boys who spend the majority of their time in the family room, one who is very obedient and one who pees sporadically in the house, what do you choose?

I was recently at a family wedding and a friend of the family owns a flooring store. I asked him this question. His immediate response was "vinyl". So in the picture, I have vinyl flooring that looks like hardwood which I put in our basement. It looks great and cleans easily, but what happens if I decide to put real hardwood in my living room and dining room which lead into the kitchen and family room? Will it look stupid? I go back to my research...

I asked the breeder of our dogs because she has dark hardwood throughout her home, including the kitchen. She said she loved her hardwoods and would never have anything else. She has one Shih-Tzu who had two litters of five puppies and she regularly dog-sits for our little guys and others who have bought puppies from her. Her floor looks fabulous. Okay...file that away and keep digging...

I spoke to my mother's real estate agent. I asked him "laminate or hardwood" without mentioning dogs. He didn't hesitate when he said "hardwoods" because he said that in all the houses he has seen, laminate tends to buckle and move after 5 years and the floor basically needs to be replaced. Hmmm...I'm thinking that I need to do more research...

I have ceramic tile in my entry where Rocki decided that marking the territory was a really great idea. It cleaned like nothing, even the grout. No smell...no fuss. After cleaning a couple of times, he never went back there so obviously I got the scent out. My flooring looks great and there is no odor. Ceramic tile is great in a kitchen and can run into the family room. So perhaps ceramic tile is the way to go?

I don't know...I'm still trying to decide because flooring is not something you change each year like toss cushions. Once you pay the price and put it in, it's there for awhile. So if anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear from you.

Hurricane Gustav - What About the Pets?

2008-09-01T07:43:00.005-05:00

Thankfully there is hope this time around for all the pets in the danger zone. Thanks to shelters and other organizations, the pets will not be left to suffer the storm on their own.

If anyone wants to make a donation towards all the people and organizations rescuing pets, I found this link: http://gustavpets.com.

Sensitive Shih-Tzus

2008-08-29T06:03:00.005-05:00

Life became a bit topsy-turvey for the boys when grandma recently moved into our home.

We got a call last week after she had fallen on her outside steps. It turned out she had a concussion, smashed up her knee and broke her shoulder. Because the hospital wouldn't release her unless she had somewhere to go where she had 24 hour care, we decided she would move in with us since we have no other family in the city. And we were not going to leave her alone in a hospital. We also had to put her house up for sale as she could not go back and live on her own again given her age, the size of the house and the enormous number of stairs she had to tackle each day.

During this process the boys have been extremely sensitive to her needs when they are around her. She spends most of her days in a chaise in the family room watching TV, doing puzzles and talking on the phone to her friends. However, from the day we brought her home the dogs sensed that something was wrong - Grandma wasn't bending down to pat them nor was she picking them up to cuddle. When she first sat down, they very carefully jumped on the end of the chaise by her feet and gingerly made their way closer to her, sniffing constantly in the direction of her left arm. Usually they will come and sit in your lap, often wiggling around each other to get the "best seat". In her case, they never got on her...they would carefully position themselves on the chaise around her and lay down quietly.

When we are in the house, they play and run amok. When we have to leave Grandma in order to get her house ready for sale, she tells us that the boys lay quietly around her the whole time we are gone. When my husband has a nap on the couch, the boys will at some point jump on him when they decide he's slept enough and it's time for him to play with them. When Grandma has a nap, she often wakes up to find the boys sleeping quietly at her feet. They do not, however, wake her up. If they want Grandma to pat them, rather than jump on her they will run to me, jump at my legs to get my attention and then run back beside her chair wagging their tail. It's at that time that I will pick each one up separately and Grandma will pat them.

So as each day goes on, we continue to be amazed by our Shih-Tzus' capacity to be sensitive to injury, even though we have no way to communicate this to them.