My Shih Tsu - Teddy the Alpha Dog

Pack Leader, that about sums up Teddy--or should I say Theodore Roosevelt Simmons. But he was anything but a pack leader when I first met him. Teddy was an 8-week old baby. Apparently the girl who owned Teddy's mother and father didn't think they would mate because, I kid you not, they were brother and sister. So when her female Shih Tsu became pregnant all she wanted to do was find the puppies new homes.

I wasn't looking for a puppy or any dog at the time. I had lost my sweetheart of a coal-black Cocker Spaniel three days earlier and was totally distraught. He'd developed epilepsy and had died unexpectedly as the result of a seizure. A co-worker called. She said she knew it might be too soon but wanted to know if I'd be interested in a "Maltese" puppy. She hadn't seen the puppies, just knew the owner, and said there was one left. I immediately said no and hung up. Then called her back and said, "Maybe I'd go take a look."

Small breed with a big heart, great companion dogs

It was a dark and stormy night. No, really. I met the lady after work and when she brought the puppy out I recognized immediately that it was a Shih Tsu. My parents had owned a Shih Tsu and loved those big black round eyes. That did it. I left with the puppy. It was one of those terrible rain storms in Houston where the rain sheets and the thunder cracks and the streets went into full flood mode. I held him like a baby on my shoulder as I drove. The weather got so bad I had to call a friend to see if we could stop by and wait the storm out.

We finally made it home. Teddy's been with me ever since. I didn't name him right away. When he kept reminding me of a little dog with a huge lion's heart, I named him after Teddy Roosevelt. Hence, his name.

The Shih Tsu who likes "reading to dogs" programs

Given that Teddy came into my life on such a "dark and stormy" literary night, I guess it was only natural that he grew into such a literary pooch. Teddy loves to be read to and is a strong advocate of literacy. Children enjoy reading to dogs and the dogs are happy to be present and hear their words. It makes for a strong combination and unique environment to foster literacy.

Here my granddaughter is reading one of my books to Teddy. He certainly seems to listening with avid attention, doesn't he?

Reading to Dogs, Playing Music to Dogs, Fun with Dogs

Teddy is a wonderful dog for a photo shoot. He's easy to photograph and wiling to pose any time. Photographs of him have appeared in a couple of travel guidebooks on Houston and on Texas that I co-authored. Never camera-shy, Teddy easily performed for the camera with little notice. Here, Teddy is listening to an outdoor concert performed by my granddaughter.

My own service dog, a hearing dog, a herder, a doggie babysitter

Today Teddy continues to be a comfort and a help to me. I've noticed that since I now stay home and take care of my 96 year old mom, whenever she calls my name Teddy barks and continues to bark until I come to the hallway by her room. He's also a busy boy making sure his brothers and little sister toe the line. Even Waco bows to the Terrible Teddy when he wants them to behave.

He's a busy boy each day. There are the cats that have to be talked to when they start whining. There's the monitoring of my mom. There's the constant play and tustle between Freddie the Maltese and Charlie the Pug that occasionally demands a referee, and there's little HoneyBun who sometimes needs a watchful eye. Even Waco knows it's best to stay out of Teddy's way when he's "on duty."

But who waits on Teddy? Well, I do. But Teddy has a bastion of adoring fans who make sure he gets the appropriate number of high fives, treats, and petting every time they see him. Teddy is an alpha dog and he knows it. So does everyone else in his world.

More dog toys, plush dog toys and dog toys without squeakers

AKC Squirrel Dog Toy, Large

Every morning Teddy has a dialogue with the squirrels that populate our backyard. He considers it his duty to help them stay in the trees. But in the confines of the house he's just a little teddy bear. His favorite toys are soft plush ones. Having a pet squirrel that he can carry in his mouth and then spend time mouthing makes him very happy.