Barkley Where-is-she (Daniel gave her that middle name) Todd was born January 22, 2010 and joined our family on March, 25, 2010. She is one of four females born to a set of imperial shih tzu parents. She will grow to be 5 pounds or less, according to the breeder.
She was welcomed home by Jackson and Tyson who share mixed feelings about her. Jackson is still warming up to her and trying to figure out her role in our family. He isn't necessarily happy or sad about having another dog enter into our lives, but he is being protective of what is rightly his. Sunday he was able to semi-play with her by doing his "butt to the face" move. Monday morning while I was getting ready for work Jackson started barking at her to get her to play with him instead of Tyson. In some ways, it feels like he is trying to handle her with care since she is so tiny.
On the other hand, there is Tyson who thinks his sole mission in life is to protect and guard Barkley at all times. It really is precious to see him herd her around by literally walking over her. I call him our "Curious George" child and he continues to do this by checking on her every movement and cry. As soon as he comes inside from doing his business, he isn't interested in getting a treat. Nope, he is set on knowing where Barkley is and if she is okay. He loves to play with her and there have been a couple of times when he has been too rough. It is hard for him to play gently. He has even made Jackson squeal a few times in the past. Poor, Tyson. If only he were smaller, then he would feel more "at home" in his body.
Barkley LOVES her new older brothers. She doesn't understand why Jackson isn't playing with her as much as Tyson is, but she obviously still loves him. Her favorite thing to do besides pee and poop on the carpet is to run as fast and hard as she can from the kitchen through the living room into the computer room and dive under the computer chair. She looks like a little rabbit when she runs and she breathes heavily when running. It's so hilarious! I have tried to video it, but seeing it in person is so much better.
Friday night Daniel and I took her to PetSmart for a collar, leash (which I doubt we will ever use), pink blanket, weird-looking lamb, pink beanie baby dog, duck teething toy, mini-chewies, and puppy/baby-looking wipes. Oh yeah...and puppy food. I think she will be set on food for a while since she is still eating on the bag that the breeder gave us. She slept pretty much through the entire experience except when dogs were barking. She is not a huge fan of hearing other dogs bark. It scares her.
Saturday late afternoon Daniel and I took her back to PetSmart to the Banfield Vet. Holy cow, Barkley! You are expensive especially since you have never been vaccinated. We set her up on a health plan where she will receive 4 sets of shot along with her spaying at 6 months. We will also get her microchipped when she is spayed since we are spending an arm and leg on her. I don't want to lose her.
She was very brave while getting her shot; that's what the vet said. She loved meeting the vet and his assistants. Drum roll please....Barkley weighs....still drum rolling....a whopping....2.4 pounds! She is getting so big!
Nevermind, I lied...her favorite thing to do is live the life of a rockstar: sleep during the day and party hard at night. Fright night we went to bed at 12ish and she woke up at 3:30. I took her to pee, drink water, and eat. We had to play a little bit, but it was back to sleep until somewhere around 6. I put her in the tub and she cried until Daniel got up at 7:18. He let me sleep until 10:30. Saturday night I went to bed at 1AM after she FINALLY laid down. She woke up at 3 and we did the routine of pee, drink, eat, and this time play. I ran around the house for about 15 minutes with her chasing me to wear her out. We went back to bed at 4:30-4:45ish. Then she woke up again at 7. I put her back in the tub and she cried for an hour. Enough was enough so I put her in Jackson's crate until I finally got up around 10. Sunday night I got smart and just stuck her in Jackson's box at the beginning of the night. We can't have this waking up every 2 hours to play in the middle of the night. Once she learns to sleep through the night, then she can sleep in the bed with us.
She always has to be held and will put her front paws on your leg if she is not in your arms. She doesn't stay awake long if she is being held and it out in no time. She cries a lot too: if she isn't being held, if she is hungry, if she is thirsty, if she can't find you, if she can't run into the computer room and dive under the chair. When she isn't crying, she's loving to look in the mirror. Her little tail will wag a mile a minute.
Thank you, Daniel, for my birthday present!
