At Christmas, all Molly would ask Santa for, was a puppy. “A REAL ONE”, she would say. You see Grandma B (my mom) came to visit at Thanksgiving and she had four puppies with her. A Shih-tzu named Fred, two Papillions, named Buddy and Chevy, and Lola – a Yorkie. The girls fell hard for the “puppies”, but most especially for Fred, the Shih-tzu.
Molly and Fred – November 2009
I fell a little hard for Fred myself. He would just cuddle in your arms. He wasn’t too small, nor too big. He was fluffy and soft – and happy. What a great dog! I’m not a small dog fan. I have two big dogs for a reason, but this guy….oh my! He stole the show. I can see why the girls loved Fred and missed him when he went home, which led to Christmas, and birthday present requests for a puppy – a small one (insert sound of breaking heart).
It even went as far as, if they ever got a puppy, they would name it Brownie (if it was brown). I think I helped with that. Original and hungry – that’s me. Then one, or the other of the girls started “playing” Brownie. They would be a puppy named Brownie for about half an hour. We would go through the house calling for Brownie. Feeding Brownie. Making Brownie catch, fetch, and do tricks. It was cute, but an impossible dream, right?
We have two big dogs, a move coming up, a student in the Masters program, a teenager, and a wedding. A puppy? We just couldn’t do it. A cat….maybe…a little kitty – that was possible. But then you had the furniture being scratched up, the kids arms, hands, and fingers. The big dogs doing what nature tells them to – CHASE. I could see the scenes playing out; a big fiasco.
Then again, petting a kitty, and holding it on my lap – which I can’t do with the big dogs – seemed really nice. I got to thinking maybe a small dog would be more like a cat. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad. No scratches, and when it chews fingers, it’s handed a toy. An outside potty that you don’t have to scoop (sorta). Hours of entertainment…..
Jason, however, is not a small dog fan. Obviously we had to convince HIM we needed a Fred. So, I tried the cat angle and convinced him how perfect it would be. It’s NOT a small yappy dog – it’s a CAT, really…. Somehow that sounded better than, let’s have THREE dogs. HA.
He finally agreed, but finding the time to find a mystery puppy wasn’t easy. The pound rarely had Shih-tzus. The ones I saw on Craigslist were too expensive. My mom didn’t know any Shih-tzu breeders. No time. No source. It would happen when it happened. Which could be years, until passing Petland on Friday night, I begged him to stop. They had a Shih-tzu puppy, a little boy – which we didn’t want since our house is 99.9% girls. But he WAS adorable and expensive! I told him the next morning I would look, just look, on Craigslist one more time.
And there she was under the title SHIH-TZU BABY. The last of the litter, ten week old Female. Oddly enough she was colored just like one of my earlier cats named Sugar (coincidence?); a tortoise calico. I looked at others but kept coming back to her. She just felt right. There was a young girl holding her and I could tell she would be okay with that. I told Jason why don’t I just call….and ask…….she might be gone already?
She wasn’t.
Not only that, but the parents were both pets bred on site. She was not a puppy mill dog. The family had three young children in which she had been picked up and handled since birth. How perfect.
I’ve come to realize that sometimes, the right times are at the wrong times. It’s all about perspective and that calling you get inside. The girls are at Jason’s for the month of July. What better time to bond with a new baby? So Brownie….became a REAL dog.
Brownie her first look at the new backyard.
Brownie with her new Dad Jason who she is really fond of.
Molly with Brownie and her first front tooth loss. Is that cute or what?
A very happy Molly and Bridget hold cuddly Brownie.
Thank goodness Brownie was used to being held.
Welcome home Brownie, welcome home.
Now Sydney really wants a bunny…..which is sorta like a hamster……riiight??
Living, Loving, Laughing.... 
That is too precious! Very cute dog and very Happy looking little girls. Sometimes things just seem to fall into place. There must be something in the air because once again we are on that weird plane of coincidence. Be looking out for my post about my summer vacation ; )
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It is a beautiful dog! And indeed, a bunny is sorta hamster 🙂
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Adorable!and a lovely addition to the family.
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I kinda got stuck on the line about your mom visiting with FOUR puppies. TWO being Papillions. That alone is like 8 normal dogs. Those things are quite loud and energitic.
Brownie is beautiful.
I am so happy for the girls!
Sometimes it just seems that so many things fall into place that you can’t help but think it is one big glaring neon sign, huh? I am so glad it all fell into place. She is so cute.
I, like you, prefer large dogs, but when I saw her picture I found myself thinking, “Well, maybe if she looked like that!”
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BROWNIE IS ADORABLE!!!!! (actually, as cute as my Mulligan!) You really made a terrific find! Those girls are going to do some serious spoiling. Come to think of it, I’ll bet you do, too!
Big dogs are always nice to have around, but little dogs are definitely nice to CARRY around. Have fun with your new baby, sister!
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sometimes the right times are at the wrong times.
I love that. It seems that often the opposite is true, too–what seems to be the right thing falls flat. You never know.
Trust me–a rabbit is nothing like a hamster, we still have one that was supposed to have a lifespan of five or six years who’s still going strong at nine. Of course, we love her–but not at all a practical pet.
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oh my goodness! brownie is tooo sweet! <— see how i made that into a pun?
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Very cute pics!
My kids want a dog, but I just don’t know. I can barely feed the three of them. But the pressure is mounting so it’s only a matter of time.
Maybe I need to follow your lead.
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Soooooo cute. This was a great post. I am excited for you and all the fun times this pup will bring to your family!!!
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Looks like Brownie is a welcome addition to your little Family, I am happy for all of you 🙂
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Brownie is just too freaking cute! Congrats to all on the new family member.
I have an award for you on my blog tomorrow,
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First I just have to say kudos to you for #1, even knowing what a puppy mill IS, and #2, making sure you weren’t buying from one! YAY!! =)
And congrats on that ADORABLE dog who reminds me of Gizmo from the gremlins! LOL I hope you have many happy years with him.
Your last sentence cracked me up!
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Brownie is a perfect name. I do not know of anyone who does not like Brownies. lol 🙂 Hope you all continue to smile. 🙂
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I have wanted a Shih-tzu FOREVER!!!!!!!!! Sadly, we’re not in a place to have a new dog…what with just getting rid of a MASSIVE dog and all….but oh what a CUTE little furball she is!!!!! Just darling!!!!! Enjoy! hope she’s not too whiny at nite for ya! how are your other dogs adjusting?
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What a cutie!! Have fun with Brownie!!
Throw in a bunny and your house might become a real zoo!!! (zoos are FUN!!)
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My daughter would like to come live with you ;). She has been begging and pleading forever. Just won’t happen. For one my son is allergic and for two, I just can’t do it. Call me mean mommy 😉 Congrats on your new little addition.
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Awwwwww… that little baby is ADORABLE. I never thought I was a “small dog” person either. But one just happened to find me. And then another one did. And now I can’t imagine myself without them.
It all happens as it’s supposed to. 😉
Congrats on the addition to your family!!
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How adorable! Shih-tzus are the sweetest dogs!
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How precious!! We (well, The Husband) had our puppy (a Yorkie!) named before we even saw her, and it just fit! I am currently joining efforts with my girls to get a kitty 5 years shy of the deadline I had originally given The Husband — I told him I’d wait til 40, but I turn 35 in February, and that’s close enough, isn’t it? 😉
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That is the cutest thing ever!! How can you not love a little bundle of fur like that.
I know from which I speak……don’t do the bunny thing! When my daughter moved out and took her bunny with her (which I stupidly let her keep in her room) it took me forever to get the smell out. A bunny is NOT like a hamster.
Believe me.
For real!! Even a kitty would be better. 😦
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Great post & picture! Reading through it gave me a smile on my face. Adorable dog does make a nice part to your family 😛 Thanks for sharing!
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My first dog was named Brownie too so just had to read your post when I saw the title at SITS. Congratulations on suc a cute loving dog!
Here’s a post I wrote about my first dog you might enjoy:
http://karenzemek.blogspot.com/2009/11/our-dogs-most-destructive-behavior.html
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That little face kills me!
Stopping by from SITS!
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What a cutie! Shi-Tzuhs are probably my favorit of the small breeds. They have excellent personalities in my experience. Have fun with her, she’s so adorable!
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Adorable! I dropped by to say hello since I noticed you are following me on Twitter now and I’m from DFW also. Plus? I have a dog named Brownie. We are destined to be Internet/Bloggy friends. 😉
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Sooooo cute 😀
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What a wonderful story. Brownie was just available at the right time. The girls will have time with her and possibly help with the training.
She is such a cutie! Congrats on your new baby!
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Verry creative post
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