Funny Face

If you ever look into the face of a Shih tzu their face might look funny but don't be mistaken It's a dignified breed. Shih Tzu is one of the 14 ancient breeds that is closely linked to wolves. I can understand an Alaskan Malamute connection to a wolf because of the physical similarities but a SHIH TZU? I love this breed and eventually plan to add a second Tzu. Because our other dog is a Senior and has minor health issues I don't want to stress him out. I found a Shih Tzu rescue that's 40 miles away and hopefully we will adopt a  female that can be or is spade through them .

I would love for him to father a litter of puppies so I can have his daughter but It's irresponsible to bring more pups into the world when so many needs home.

The ancient breed

Sometimes I think I can see his soul looking into his eyes, perhaps it could be an old world I don't understand. An ancient world of pride where the Tzu was held in high regard, treated like royalty.

A Shih Tzu's devotion to their family never fails.

Rocky Lee Tzu

Yes he was in a clothes basket on top of clean laundry, I had to re-wash

Shih Tzu Behavior and Clinging To Me OH My

I'm completely to blame for spoiling my dog Rocky. From the moment he was placed in my arms he was treated like a baby. He weighed 1.5 lbs and looked like a Panda in the face, I automatically fell in love with him. My husband and I both did. Rocky was born  10/16/09  and was bought for me as an Early Christmas Gift on 12/17/09. My husband gave him to me early because he couldn't be wrapped up under the tree. Giving a pet as a gift is normally not recommended because so many animals end up in shelters after the holidays.

He's the most loving companion a girl can want, besides my hubby. But the older he gets the more clingy he becomes. It's not that he wants to be with me all the time he needs to be with me all the time. And if your wondering where he sleeps It's in bed with me. He's either at my feet , under the cover or on my pillow by my head.

When I'm sitting on the couch he's on my lap. If I'm standing at the sink washing dishes he tries to lay on my feet. When I try to shower he peeks behind the shower curtain. If I'm taking a bath he lays by the tub. If I'm outside visiting with friends he lays by my feet as long as our older male isn't outdoors.

He'd never more a few feet from me and he insists on this.

He does have behavior issues. And hopefully we can correct them soon. He's got noise anxiety and terrified of storms. He's just my boy.

Shih Tzu my companion

If you love small dogs and prefer a lap dog, a Shih Tzu might be for you. But the Shih Tzu requires daily brushing and need to be with their family most of the time. The breed needs adequate exercise to prevent obesity but is happy to do whatever your doing as long as they can be near. Mine watches TV with me, naps with me and will sit on my feet when I do dishes.

A Shih Tzu is devoted to their family and gets attached to family.  My Tzu Rocky needs to be near me 24/7. Great breed to have for older adults or for households with older kids.

My Tzu is very social even with company.

Noise Anxieties: Rocky And schizophrenia

Now if thunder isn't enough there's always guns . The higher power and louder weapon the more he flips out. A mere 22 rifle firing can start the panicky behavior. Handguns he's climbing up my side to hide on my neck. Yes on my neck ! And omg when the 30 ought 6 comes out he really gets nervous and tries to claw his way into my neck.

Thankfully we live in the country and other than the Sunday target practices it is relatively quiet here. My neighbor love their guns. I don't hate guns or wish the ban of weapons but guns cause such emotional turmoil with my boys. I hate the first shot as it turns my little guy into a nutty psychopath. This year he added a new phobias the lawnmower....the weedeater and vacuum.

This year for the first time the mower has caused yet more nutty behavior. Which is strange because last year he rode on the mower with hubby while he mowed. He would chase the mower wanting to ride. Guess It's time for another ride to show him the mower isn't out to get him. Mowing twice a week is a reality around here 8 months a year. If we don't nip this phobia now it will cause total hysteria and a breakdown.

Noise Anxieties

The older my boys get the worse they act because of noise. My older male is a mixed breed named Rudie. He's afraid of some noises but not others. When it thunders during storms  Rudie will hide and stay hid until it's over. Gun fire is another story. There's no words to describe a 40 lb dog trying to hide on your lap while shaking uncontrollably and whimpering . Thankfully he's grown out of some of his anxiety but then again he's 9 1/2.

And then there is our 3 year old Shih Tzu Rocky....

Rocky's anxieties about noise and me is surreal. First of all is his seperation anxiety, it doesn't matter if I'm just outside of the door he NEEDS to be near me. Just checking the mail causes relentless crying. Even being in the house and closing a door causes panic. He even peeps behind the shower curtain to see me. He just can't stand not seeing or touching me.

I'm going to take a 3 day trip in June without him, which will go over real well.  I will be with family and going to different places, not exactly dog friendly. My nieces baby shower, my brother's house and shopping. My hyperactive nephews might be an issue with him and the city noise . Noise is his biggest issue, he hates noise.

The list of his feared noise continues to grow.  He's afraid of thunder, guns, vacuum, weedeaters and lawn mower. I can normally tell when a storm is coming long before the first hint of thunder or even checking the radar just by watching him. He starts pacing and jumping relentlessly. The closer the storm the more erratic his behavior is. It's nerve wracking...

To be continued

After Second Grooming

I found a different groomer that is just a few miles away. Rocky was so tore up after the first Grooming I was reluctant to take him back. It was so nice picking him up and he was calmer since his new groomer is a woman.

Tzu Under bite

He's sleeping and showing his crooked teeth. The under bite is a breed standard.

After First Grooming

This was the first time he was groomed. He didn't look like my baby when I picked him up. His hair was cut too short and no longer looked like my Tzu. He had razor burn on several places and his little boy parts had a cut. He bit the groomer when I came to pick him up after 4 hours.

The Face I fell in love with

Rocky on December 17,2009

He was 8 weeks old

Grumpy Cat

Jealousy Reared It's Ugly Head

This week a couple of our friends are staying with us including their newborn daughter Miss Itty Bitty. The little one is only 8 days old and very tiny. My boys (dogs) pretty much ignore her unless my husband or I are holding her and then my Shih Tzu goes beserk with jealousy. My older male could care less.

Perhaps it's my fault for not teaching him better manners or spoiling him. He's been treated as a member of the family since he was 7 weeks old. He's never been treated as a dog and he's not used to sharing me with human babies. Every second of his day he is within a few feet of me, he insists on it.

He's jealous of hubby and sleeps between us at night.  Jealous of my other dog and cat. Jealous of whatever takes my attention away from him. He's just jealous, plain and simple. A baby ball of hair.

Oh well.

My other fur kids.

Meet Sammy and Rudie. Rudie is 9 years old and a true Heinz 57. Sammy will be 9 soon, rescued from a shelter.

They have been together since they were puppy and kitten. The pictures were edited by their friends on dogster and catster

Rocky Tzu

Random pictures of my boy

My baby

Noise Anxiety and Obsession

My Shih Tzu has 2 issues. He's obsessed with his green Racquetball , which is currently lost again. He has around 30 other toys with several other balls but no other ball is good enough including balls of same size and color. He knows the difference.

His other problem he hates loud noises. Thunder, loud music, people who's loud, machinery and gunfire. Any suggestions??

Shih Tzu

This is one of our dear friends holding my baby. I think sometimes some of our guests are just here to see him. Half our friends bring toys and treats for the boys. I'm not joking about the toys, he has accumulated a small mountain from friends just stopping by. His favorite toy is balls, he loves playing fetch and started his obsession at 7 weeks old. The books say most Tzu won't fetch, mine won't stop fetching.
He's a sweetheart but does get jealous of other humans getting too close to me. Oh well!

My Baby

This is my 3 year old baby Rocky, a present from my Hubby. Guess his breed.