The search for the perfect puppy . . .

It’s been quite a journey, trying to find the perfect shih tzu puppy. At first, I searched at local shelters, human societies, and pet adoption centers — as these are the cheapest ways to get a puppy — but alas, they did not have any puppies that I was in love with. Many of the dogs available for adoption were too large, or the breeds available did not fit my lifestyle. I needed a smaller dog.

For a brief week, I seriously considered finding a Yorkie or Maltese. Both of these dog breeds are small and would be perfect for apartment living. But I still kept going back to wanting a shih-tzu puppy. I knew in the back of my head, and in my heart, that I would not be satisfied with any other breed of dog. Since this would be a lifelong commitment — for the next 15 years or so — I wanted the dog I picked to be perfect. I didn’t want to wait another ten or fifteen years to get the shih tzu puppy I wanted! 

Jarold tried to persuade me to find a young adult puppy, a year or older. One that had been potty trained. Since I had no experience with raising a puppy, or a dog for that matter, this was indeed the smarter choice. (He is very smart about these things… If only I wasn’t so stubborn and impatient!) 

I had my heart set on a puppy. I wanted to raise something from the time they were little until they got older. They would always be my baby. I felt that bonding would be stronger between the two of us… I would have those fond memories of their childhood. (I guess it’s my strange way of having a baby without having a baby, if that makes sense!)

After several weeks of searching local shelters and rescue places, I just couldn’t find the age that I wanted. I decided to go online and look at breeders. I contacted several places that I found online and in the local newspapers. I checked out prices — some were as high as 600 or 700 dollars, and others on the low end of 100. Some places had health guarantees; others didn’t.


Due to the instability of my current job, I was not going to fork over an arm and a leg for a dog. So Jarold and I talked about it, and he persuaded me to get a dog for $300 or less. 


Finally, I spoke to a lady in Alabama about adopting one of her male shih tzus. He was simply the cutest thing in the world. He was brown, white, with a bit of black. His picture is below:

 Isn’t he cute? I had already picked out a name for him — Taylor Hanson Lee. He only cost $300 with a one year health guarantee in the event that he died fro a genetic disease. But the problem was that this lady also bred about seven other types of dogs. She was very nice and answered all my questions.


I was all set out to buy this puppy from her… Until I just happened to search in the classified and saw this adorable little girl for $300. 

Girls are typically more expensive than boys. But I just felt that she was too adorable to pass up. So I contacted the couple that was selling her and agreed to meet them. They were not traditional breeders. They owned shih tzu dogs, and only breed shih tzu dogs. I liked the living conditions of the puppies, and the couple that was selling this female dog was very, very nice and kind. They gave me the veterinarian records, their contact information should I have any questions. And they answered all my questions — even the silly ones. 

The second that I picked her up, she started licking my face. She did whimper a bit, but I think it was because I was a stranger to her. But once she started licking my face, she calmed down. I sat down and she fell asleep on my lap. A dream come true.


I paid the couple and bought my little girl home. She slept with me that first night and did not whine or whimper. I am just in love with her! I named her Sophie… But that name may change. I am still undecided. But for now, she is my Sophie pie. 


Some photos of Sophie…

Stay tuned to learn all about Sophie’s life with her new mama!