True Love, Cuddles, and Face Licks

This is the story of true love, snuggles, and face licks.

The tale of how a black and white Shih Tzu puppy entered the life of a Vietnamese girl and lived happily ever after.

This is my story.

Since my Mama was a young child, she wanted a puppy. She asked her parents and babysitters to take her to animal shelters and pet stores to look at the puppies. Her sister was more interested in cats, but Mama just wanted a dog . . .  so badly.

Too bad, no one ever let her have a dog.

When Mama was a young child, she even pretended her stuffed animals were dogs that transformed into real life dogs when no one was looking. (How sad is that?!) Her “dogs” were named Romeo and Juliet, and they always came home after 9 p.m. That’s why they weren’t around during the daytime.

One day, when Mama was 25 and grown-up, she decided that she had to have a dog. A Shih Tzu, in particular. Her favorite dog breed. She did tinker with the idea of other dog breeds, but she just couldn’t tear herself away from the idea of a Shih Tzu puppy.

Everyone told her, “No, you can’t have a dog. You’re not ready for one. Dogs poop and pee, and they are a lot of responsibility.” But Mama was determined. She didn’t care. She needed a Shih Tzu to make her lifelong dream complete.

She searched online and in the newspaper. Then she saw this picture of me in the local newspaper.

Wasn’t I the cutest puppy ever?

She knew then that she had to have me! She emailed the family and arranged to visit their home. My dog parents were the family’s personal dogs – not a breeding facility, not a backyard breeder. Their dogs just happened to have puppies. My mom got to meet my dog parents and my siblings.

It was love at first sight when I was put in my mom’s arms. I was less than a pound and fit in the crook of her hand. (I actually could fit into the coffee holder of her car! That’s how tiny I was.)

Mom took me away from my doggie mom and dad on June 17, 2010. It was a Thursday, and I was barely 6 weeks old.

I was super adorable and very white!

Don’t you love my “Welcome Home” balloon behind us? Oh, and that’s a crate . . . that I only used for the first week of my life.

And of course, you know my Mama. It wasn’t long before Mama put me in a dress. In fact, it took her 3 days before she found a tiny dress that fit me.

This photo was taken June 20, 2010 – three days after I was brought home.

As I grew and Mama and I got more attached, our love grew and grew. As you can see (below) I was a face licker and big lover of snuggling from the start. There’s just nothing that tastes better than my Mama’s face. And back then, I had puppy breath, so my kisses were even more special.

Of course, the dressing up didn’t stop. Here is one of the first outfits from my wardrobe. The below picture was from July 20, 2010. I was 2 months old and dressed as a fireman.

Despite all the dressing up, I get unconditional love from my Mama. Cuddling with my Mama (and sleeping on her head) are my favorite hobbies. (But playing with my stuffed animals is my #1 favorite hobby of all time!)

You could say that I have a pretty sweet and pawesome life! (And Mama says I have the most kissable face ever!) She loves to hold me like a teddy bear, and I love her undivided attention. I’m so fluffy – I am better than any teddy bear, and I have body heat, too. (No wonder Shih Tzu were bred to be foot warmers for the Chinese royalty!)

I’m pretty fluffy and better than a teddy bear!

I just have to sleep near my Mama’s head. I am top dog, after all.

Below, we’re sleeping because we’re exhausted from cooking Christmas dinner!

Sometimes, the best place to sleep is on your Mama’s neck!

When I’m in the mood, I sleep under the covers like a human. 

And what is better than kisses? Nothing in the world!

I’m the happiest girl in the world, and I’m so thankful that I found my Mama!

Paw Prayers for all the dogs who are in shelters and who haven’t found their forever homes yet. Mama’s next dog will probably be a small shelter dog. But that’s not for another 15+ years. I have to be the center of her universe, you know!

Hope you’ve enjoyed this post.

You can read Mama’s version of this story: 

My Lifelong Dream of Dog Ownership
The Search for the Perfect Puppy