For The Love Of My Shih Tzus

I have owned many dogs in my lifetime. From German Sheperds to Chows to Labs. I had a Dachsund and a Beagle and an Akita. One dog my family famously remembered was a beautiful Siberian Husky that I rescued from an abusing owner. I tried to love her but the damage was done. This dog took her anger out on everything.

Don't get me wrong, she was not mean. She loved playing with people. It's just that when she was left alone she destroyed everything in sight. I kept her for about six months and when my folks were visiting from Florida my little brother fell in love with the dog. They took her home. I figured she needed the companionship of a child. Oh how wrong I was. She destroyed everything in my parents home and yard too including both of my father's beloved banana trees that she chewed to the root!

The last I heard, she was living on the beach with a man that had a house on the coast. I hope she had a nice life after that. I felt sorry for that man. Anyway, that dog is a great topic of conversation around the table at holiday get togethers. The story provides at least 15-20 minutes of laughter when someone shouts out "Do you remember that Siberian Husky we had way back when?" Then we would all offer at least one story of destruction.

Like all the balloons she devoured one Halloween. Boy oh boy I never saw a dog get so sick in my life. And when I took her out to go, it was unreal. When she made #2 there were so many colors coming out of her I couldn't believe it.

So these are the dogs I had in my life until the age of 39 when I met my beloved wife and her two dogs Missy and Max. Missy and Max were two Yorkshire Terriers neither one over 10 pounds. I never had dogs that small. It was the first time that I really fell in love with my dogs. They were unlike any dogs I had ever owned. Like two little toddlers. We used to call them "Our kids".

Unfortunately Missy died of heart disease at the ripe old age of 9 and I had to put Max down at the age of 10. By that time he had such bad spinal arthritis he couldn't move. He was so helpless we knew it was time. No one will ever convince me that Max died of arthritis. I believe he died of a broken heart. Those two dogs were like peanut butter and jelly. Always together. After Missy died he turned into a grumpy old man. Putting Max down was one of the hardest things I ever had to do in my life.

We always said the next dogs we would get would be Shih Tzus because of their great disposition. They were bred for companionship and as soon as we got the first one we knew right away it was the right choice. They are always seeking our companionship. When I come home it's like a floodgate of love has been released. In fact whenever anyone comes home they are so happy to see whomever, they can't contain themselves!

I traveled from West Palm Beach Florida to Batesville Arkansaw to get my little puppies. One at time, three months apart. I will never forget those trips. To this day my dogs cling to me like I am their mother. I flew into Memphis and rented a car to travel the rest of the way. It was a real adventure. I kept each pup close to my heart and I believe it was this orientation that started our love story. I have never loved dogs the way I love Mandy Mirage and Cody Randolph!

One year ago because of our teetering economy I was forced to take a job as a over the road tractor trailer driver. Manufacturing was my thing but all the jobs in my field had dried up. This forced me out on the road two to three weeks at a time. I felt bad about leaving my dogs but you gotta do what you gotta do. I get home every two weeks now and my pups carry on something awful when I get there and I love it. Some people think we should try to stop their carrying on but not me. I love it!!!

When I have to leave they look at you with those big brown eyes and if you ever want to see a grown man cry you should see me when I have to leave. That's when my floodgates release. They look so helpless but I know they are well cared for in my absence. We have a big family so they go from person to person seeking attention throughout the days and nights till I return. No kidding. During my times at home they are stuck to me like glue! Wherever I go, they go.

It's not by my choice but theirs. I am the alpha dog in their lives. When I was training to become a truck driver I was away for two months and I feared they would forget me. Not a chance! When I got back home it was like I never left. When I walk around the house they are right behind. When I sit on the couch I don't even notice until I look down and see both of them sitting in my lap curled up and sleeping.

They always have to be touching me. When we retire for the night Mandy curls up in front of me and goes to sleep. Cody lays on my other side and eventually ends up somewhere around my head by the morning in position for morning kisses to be administered as my wake up call. I don't know about other Shih Tzu owners but I believe I can feel there intense love every time they are near me.

They are unlike any dog I have ever owned and it will be a sad day when they depart but in the meantime I will love and care for them with all my heart as I know they care for me. My blood pressure goes down 20 points whenever we are together. Pure love and happiness. Like the love of God. Totally unconditional love. Did you ever wonder why this species is called dog, for dog is God spelled backwards. Man's (and woman's) best friend, companion, ally,alter ego, buddy, cohort, companion, chum, compatriot, com rad, pal, sidekick. Oh I could go on but you get the point.

I hope you don''t feel like I'm going overboard but I think Shih Tzu owners are a different breed(no pun intended).

They love their dogs in a very special way.