Forever Home Update August 15, 2019 Hi Jan, Thought I would share a Diva story. This is a very smart dog and funny too. We used to have a swimming pool in our back yard so the fencing surrounding it has cement under it. I let Diva out and at first she thinks she can outsmart me by jumping off one side of the deck, running (on cement) to the other side and getting back up. But I know she didn’t do what she was supposed to do. So now I tell her to get off the deck and onto the grass (if she does this she will quickly go potty) but she doesn’t want to do this, so she goes along the little cement walk to the fence and even walks on the cement around the yard. Such a sneaky girl. I just stand and laugh. What else can I do? She does eventually hit the grass and do what she needs to do. But over all she is doing very well on her potty training and all else. She and Baby wrestle a lot, it is also funny because sometimes they growl and sound ferocious and other times they do it silently. Like silent movies. Both these girls have really made a big difference in our house and brought a lot of joy into our lives. Jerris February 2, 2019 Hi! Jan, Camilla is doing great. Very quiet and subdued, but I doubt that will last too long. She seemed so comfortable with us that she fell asleep on my lap on the way home. She and Baby are around the same size, but she is so light in color the two together make me think of Salt & Pepper. Baby runs at her, but it doesn't seem aggressive, I think she is trying to get Camilla to play. She hasn't gone potty yet, we have had her out but nothing. Does she have any signals you can think of? Baby doesn't bark but she does bother me until I figure it out. Jerris February 3, 2019 Hi Jan, I'm not sure what to do. Camilla walks in circles all over the house, she is in constant motion. Worst part is I can barely get near her. If I bribe her with food she will get close enough for a passing pet. Unless Rick and I corral her I won't be able to get her drops in her ears. She acts like she is starving all the time. Gobbles up her food and looks for more. Last night I gave her a little kibble in case she was still hungry, she gobbled it down and still looked for more. How much were you feeding her so I can see if I am giving her enough? As far as outside, we tried taking her out on a leash and Rick stayed out there with her for a very long time. She doesn't seem to understand she is to go potty outside, the one good thing is when she does it is in the kitchen (easy to clean up). This morning I just let her out with Baby, but I am pretty sure she just stayed on the deck (only 1-2 steps up from the yard), but she came in when asked. She doesn't seem to react to her name, did you find this? Seeing her and baby together, they are almost the exact same size, one light one dark (salt & pepper) and their birthdays are only 8 days apart. Camilla is 8 days older. A friend is bringing piddle pads to church today for me, but any suggestions you have on what I can do to earn her trust I would appreciate. Jerris February 4, 2019 We named Camilla Diva. I'm sure it will take her a long time to accept it. She improves day by day. Such a joy. I'm attaching pictures of each of them, side by side they are almost the same size and their birthdays are only 8 days apart. Jerris February 7, 2019 Today was a big breakthrough. Diva actually came to me and let me make over her, plus she played some with Baby. She even came over and put her feet up like to ask me to pick her up. (although I think they are teasing me because I reach for them and they leave.) So I am hoping and praying it continues. She has done real well with going outside and coming in. Although potty training is going to take a while. I am just grateful she seems to pick on floors that are easier to clean, like the kitchen and foyer, not the carpet. Jerris February 10, 2019 First off Diva is getting better and better. She will come and let me hold her, she follows me everywhere and if I am fixing her food she takes her foot and puts it on my leg (like I'm going to forget she is there). You said she would play catch with you, we have been trying everything we can think of to get her to play with us. So please let me know how you played catch and maybe I can try that with her. Did I tell you, she reminds me so much of Suzy who we just lost. It is how her fur is and all. Funny how she and Baby can both be Shih Tzu's when they look so different. Also this ear medication says to keep it up for 10 days. When did it start and what were the symptoms that made you take her to have it checked out? Thanks for all you help with all these little things. Jerris February 17, 2019 Things are going well with Diva. She has her tail up and wagging, before it was always down. She comes to her name and lets me hold her, etc now. Yesterday I even saw Baby & Diva wrestling, just what we hoped for, so I am thrilled. I am attaching a picture of the two "sisters". We even saw them in the same bed the other night (it is plenty big) but when we tried to get a picture they moved. I do see jealousy between them, but then that is more like real siblings anyway. Our biggest problem is housebreaking, Diva just acts like she doesn't want to go outside at all. I have seen her run out when Baby does, but not always, often she stops at the door and runs the other way. So I assume it will take us a while. One good thing is we get up in the mornings and she hasn't done anything all night. I am sure this summer we will sit outside a lot and that should help. Or I could just put piddle pads all over all the floors--new type of carpeting. I have been telling a lot of people about you so don't be surprised if you get some new customers. Even the lady who grooms ours said she knew people wanting small dogs. Jerris March 20, 2019 First off Diva is doing amazingly. She hardly resembles the dog we brought home, I can barely keep her out of my lap. And she and Baby Girl play lots. There is a lot of jealousy, but they still get along too. We had her groomed, short & had Baby done at the same time, so next time it will be right for both of them. Now they look more the same size and more alike. That longer hair was so cute on Diva but seemed to need constant brushing. I really thought they looked like two different breeds, but when we got her groomed this time they look a lot more alike. More like the same breed. Of course they are both thoroughly spoiled. Potty training is having it's ups and downs, I can hardly wait for warmer weather so I can sit on the deck and have them outside more. It is funny, when Baby wants me to pick her up Diva pretty much pushes her way in, so we are trying to keep her back and pick her up second. Of course mostly that isn't necessary as she has no problem jumping up. I received a new knee on March 12, and didn't get to come home until the 17th. This helped Diva get a lot more comfortable with Rick, although she has been coming back to me. At least it is better now. But both girls are so good about sitting on my lap to keep me company, and if I lay on the bed, they are convinced that they need to be there taking care of me. Jerris December 20, 2020 I hope you and all the babies are happily getting ready for Christmas. I have been pretty much stuck at home so my 2 babies have been a lot of company for me (even if they sleep a lot of the day). I am sure glad I have them. Funny how two dogs can be so different, I'm not sure if it is because of what they went through before we got them but they are like day and night. Baby Girl is like a young dog, ready to play all the time, we throw balls and she goes and gets them (however bringing them back is beyond her comprehension). 2 balls have a long tail like thing and she loves those, she will shake a growl like she is really mean, but look out if she lets go of it, it could be coming right at your head. Diva acts like a much older dog, even though they are only 8 days apart in age) she wants to play but just doesn't get the idea, she will wrestle with Baby but not enough. She is my lap dog, I think she thinks that is my main purpose in life. Poor Diva had to have her teeth cleaned (I could tell her breath was so bad) and they had to pull 14 teeth, I asked if she had any left and she does, but it was quite a while before she would eat her favorite crunchy carrots. I try to give them kibble once a day so they have something crunchy and hopefully it helps with their teeth, sometimes they eat it and sometimes they don't. But believe me they are not starving, just spoiled rotten. (I wouldn't have it any other way). I often look at your web site and check out your babies, it looks like you don't have very many. Is this because they were adopted or are they fostered out? I also read an article on how long you should expect different breeds of dogs to live and was shocked that a Shi Tzu is 10 years. I figure being small they should live longer, my last one was 16. We still get surprised by Diva, if we have the TV on and someone blows a whistle she goes into panic mode. And other little things like this, we try to comfort her and let her know she is ok, but I feel badly for her. I would like to know the person who had her and wring their necks. I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year. Jerris December 22, 2020 I hope you and all the babies are happily getting ready for Christmas. I have been pretty much stuck at home so my 2 babies have been a lot of company for me (even if they sleep a lot of the day). I am sure glad I have them. Funny how two dogs can be so different, I'm not sure if it is because of what they went through before we got them but they are like day and night. Baby Girl is like a young dog, ready to play all the time, we throw balls and she goes and gets them (however bringing them back is beyond her comprehension). 2 balls have a long tail like thing and she loves those, she will shake a growl like she is really mean, but look out if she lets go of it, it could be coming right at your head. Diva acts like a much older dog, even though they are only 8 days apart in age) she wants to play but just doesn't get the idea, she will wrestle with Baby but not enough. She is my lap dog, I think she thinks that is my main purpose in life. Poor Diva had to have her teeth cleaned (I could tell her breath was so bad) and they had to pull 14 teeth, I asked if she had any left and she does, but it was quite a while before she would eat her favorite crunchy carrots. I try to give them kibble once a day so they have something crunchy and hopefully it helps with their teeth, sometimes they eat it and sometimes they don't. But believe me they are not starving, just spoiled rotten. (I wouldn't have it any other way). I often look at your web site and check out your babies, it looks like you don't have very many. Is this because they were adopted or are they fostered out? I also read an article on how long you should expect different breeds of dogs to live and was shocked that a Shi Tzu is 10 years. I figure being small they should live longer, my last one was 16. We still get surprised by Diva, if we have the TV on and someone blows a whistle she goes into panic mode. And other little things like this, we try to comfort her and let her know she is ok, but I feel badly for her. I would like to know the person who had her and wring their necks. I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year. Jerris
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