Oooh! An easy one! Just move to zone 5! NW PA is particularly nice area with more than half a million acres of National Forest in a four-county area. You will then have a whole NEW zoo of garden-damaging critters, including white-tail deer, bear, rabbits, ground hogs, chipmunks, squirrels, mice, moles, voles, birds that strip berry bushes, and cats attempting to catch the last six.
But not to worry; your garden will be covered by snow for 4-5 months each year, so your attention will be diverted from your garden to your walks and driveway, which will, naturally, require shoveling. (In fact, there are only four months of gardening time here.) Come and join us; it's all about friendly small towns. We'll give you a warm welcome! --shoe ... View related article.
Got my Shih-Tzu, Sarsi, when she was about a year old and a rescue, as a companion for my Belgian shepherd mix, Raven (52#). Adult Shih-tzus range from 9-16# and always seem to be a puppy.
They are typically very smart and trainable, if you can stop laughing at their antics. She's learned a lot from Raven, including how to heel; they walk together very well. They also rough and tumble and chase each other, with Sarsi often zooming underneath Raven. Clearly, Raven will never get used to that!
The Shih Tzu needs all of the people in the house to be pack leaders, with the rules of the house consistent and clear. If you allow your Shih-tzu to take over, they often become snappish, bitey, yappy and demanding.
Yes, they have to be groomed every 4-6 weeks. They don't shed but need brushed regularly. The grooming schedule may depend somewhat on the growth pattern of hair on the head and face. Some patterns put hair in the dog's eyes and they must be trimmed more often.
I never had much time for small dogs until my friend got a Shih-tzu. Now I wonder how I got along without her! She's also good with my cats, and often sleeps with Blackhawk--just her size at 13#. Many of Sarsi's movements are catlike as well.
My friend Marge has a Shih-tzu named Muggsy. Because of her back problems, she uses orange tent stakes, dropping them at the site where Muggsy does his business so her husband can find and clean up later. Muggsy quickly learned that the easiest way to announce he wanted out was to come to her with a tent stake in his mouth! My friend Gloria's little Abby learned to ring a small bell hung a few inches from the floor next to the door. My Sarsi goes to the door and sneezes to go out. No, I don't know why! Raven sneees on command.
You will love this breed! These dogs are a constant source of entertainment, companionship, and love. -shoe
In obedience school with my German shepherd, we learned that jumping on someone got a firm (not painful, just uncomfortable) knee to the stomach. Asking family and guests to do the same thing works miracles. A couple of days and you have a good dog! Have since trained several dogs in this way and it always works. We also learned this advice for anyone with a large-breed dog: Anything the dog does now (puppy stage) that is cute or funny, ask youself if it will still be cute or funny when the dog weighs 100 pounds. LOL This applies to jumping up, lap-sitting, getting on furniture, nibbling fingers, licking, etc. Hope this helps! Sarsi ... View related article.
Another idea: Kale, onion, beets & beet greens, tomatoes. For each person to be served, use:
1/2 small onion, peeled and diced 1 small to medium beet, peeled and diced 1/2 small to medium tomato, diced 4 large kale leaves, washed and ripped 4 beet leaves, washed and ripped (All amounts approximate.)
You'll also need olive oil and the original Mrs. Dash or your favorite seasoning. Add a small amount of olive oil to frying pan; use a wadded paper towel to spread it to a thin layer covering pan. Add onion and beets and saute, stirring often. When cooked to desired texture,, add kale, beet greens, tomato, and Mrs. Dash to taste.
Stir frequently; continue cooking until greens are just soft. Best if eaten while hot. Very adjustable recipe; you can throw in anything that sounds good! ... View related article.
