Little One: A Shih Tzu from Maine

Chloe passed in July. She was my 13 year old Sheltie. There will never be another Chloe. But I was lost without a lap dog and a former classmate of mine who lives in the state of Maine breeds Shih Tzu's.....and she had one retiring from breeding that she was willing to give me.

"Little One" is five years old and had four litters of puppies. She was retired from "duty" in the summer and was spayed. From what my friend told me, everyone fell in love with this Dobie Shih Tzu when they met her. Sue was right, she was adorable. My former sorority sister Carole and her husband Bob were coming to Seattle in September for a conference and were willing to bring her with them aboard the plane. Bob had fallen in love with this little girl, which was easy to do, and asked me several times if I was "sure" I wanted to keep her! I was, and she became part of the family.

Weighing only 8 pounds, Little One is easily carried and sometimes, as pictured, carried in a doggie carrier! She loves to ride in it, and in her car seat that lifts her up so she can see out the window. She also loves to snuggle under the bed sheets at night, or curled up in a baby blanket. Shih Tzu's tend to shiver some and she is no exception. She loves to cuddle and wants to sit with you in your chair as well. She loves company!

Last month, I went away for several days and she escaped while in our fenced-in yard! We were frantic to find her and knew whomever found her might just decide to keep her. She had no tags on, and although chipped, was not reported found. In the rainy weather, my adult daughter put up a few signs reporting her missing and we found she had been across the street at a neighbors home the entire time. They did not know we had gotten her a few weeks prior and we luckily were able to get her situated back into our home.

Dobie Shih Tzu's have lovely coloration that is not evident in all of her breed. Her temperament is one of total relaxation and she rarely barks. We did find she had a lovely "voice" however when she joins my other two dogs (another sheltie and a lab) when howling a song in a trio together. Little One has the loudest voice of all of them as she croons her tune of love!

I cannot help but think she looks like an Ewok, so I posted a picture of one for your thoughts! What say you??