Sasha is not herself tonight

WE ARE A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THE SASHA GIRL TONIGHT. SHE HAD AN UPSET STOMACH EARLIER AND NOW SHE CAN'T SEEM TO RELAX. HER NOSE IS WARM AND SHE JUST KEEPS WANDERING AROUND AND THEN LAYS DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES AND GETS UP AND MOVES TO ANOTHER SPOT. SOMETIMES SHE COMES SCRATCHING BY ME TO PICK HER UP AND SHE JUST LETS ME HOLD HER FOR A WHILE. SHE IS DRINKING AND EATING FINE SO I HOPE IT IS JUST A PASSING THING. MAYBE SHE HAS THE FLU. IF SHE IS NO BETTER I WILL TAKE HER TO THE VET ON MONDAY. ANY ADVICE??

SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED A DOG TO LOVE

ONE REASON A DOG CAN BE SUCH A COMFORT WHEN YOU ARE FEELING BLUE IS THAT SHE DOESN'T TRY TO FIND OUT WHY.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

SASHA DOES NOT LIKE THUNDER STORMS

MY POOR SASHY IS SO AFRAID OF THUNDER STORMS, WE HAVE HAD A FEW THE PAST DAYS AND ONE WAS EXTREMELY LOUD. SHE TRIES TO FIND A PLACE TO HIDE, THERE IS NO COMFORTING HER. IT HAS TO BE SOMEPLACE TIGHT AND INSIDE OF SOMETHING. HERE SHE IS IN THE BATHROOM CABINET IT TOOK US FOREVER TO GET HER OUT OF THERE. I WAS AFRAID SHE WOULD GET HURT ON SOMETHING. IF WE OPEN THE REFRIGERATOR SHE WILL TRY TO CRAWL IN IT. I HAVE TRIED TO MAKE HER SEVERAL "SAFE" SPOTS AROUND THE HOUSE BUT THEY ARE NEVER JUST RIGHT FOR HER. I LOVE A THUNDER STORM BUT I FEEL SO BAD FOR MY LITTLE SASHY. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?

SASHA AND HER FAVORITE SITTING POSE

We call this paw-foot-paw-foot. Sasha takes this pose very often and I think her poses mean different things. This one is deep in thought. "What can I get into next?" "If I sit here looking so adorable will they mind as much when I am sassy??" You can almost read her mind sometimes. Or at least we try lol. Sometimes it is the laying on the floor, pouting, look at me, how can you be mad at me pose. This one is my favorite of all, I have never seen a dog sit like this, although I am sure they do. Having a pet is a good thing, nothing seems quite so bad when she is around to comfort me. She makes us laugh and sometimes cry(lol), but always I look forward to her affection. Adopt a pet, you won't regret it!

TARGETING

I love to watch the shows on Animal Planet. Sometimes I do try some of the training tips on Sasha. One thing that is working is something they call "targeting". I have her sit and then put out my hand, palm towards her and call her name, when she touches my hand with her nose, she gets a treat. It sounds too simple I know, but I do it over and over(with just a small treat each time). She loves it of course because of the treat. Sasha does not come when called so this is what I am trying to get her to do. The other day Sasha got out without her leash, which is a nightmare usually. I put out my hand and called her name and she came!!!! I couldn't believe it. It actually worked, perhaps there is hope for my sassy girl. I didn't give her a treat but praised her and honestly since then she comes when any one of us puts out our hand and calls her. Now mind you this took me a couple of weeks of steady work with her, but I am so proud of her. One thing accomplished, now to work on going potty in the house, biting people, getting into trouble constantly, oh the list goes on. Another day for that lol.

Sashy wishes you all a good day

SASHA POSING WITH ONE OF HER FAVORITE TOYS

I LOVE THIS PICTURE OF SASHA WITH ONE OF HER FAVORITE TOYS HER ELEPHANT. THE HOT DOG TOY IS NUMBER 1 BUT THIS IS A CLOSE SECOND. LOOK HOW "LADY LIKE" SHE HAS HER PAWS CROSSED.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TO ALL

MY FAVORITE TOY

I WANTED TO SHOW YOU ALL MY FAVORITE TOY MY HOT DOG. MY FAMILY GETS ME LOTS OF TOYS, (DON'T TELL ANYONE BUT I AM KIND OF SPOILED, SHHHHHH). BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THIS ONE IS THE ONE THAT MAKES ME FEEL THE BEST. I DON'T KNOW WHY, IT DOESN'T TASTE GOOD BUT IT MAKES THIS FUNNY SQUEAKY SOUND AND I LIKE THAT. IT JUST MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. I LOVE TO PLAY WITH IT, EXCEPT WHEN I TAKE IT TO SHOW MY MOM SHE TAKES IT AND JUST THROWS IT. WHAT THE HECK, I AM TRYING TO SHOW HER MY TOY AND SHE THROWS IT, THEN I HAVE TO GO GET IT AND I SHOW IT TO HER AGAIN AND GUESS WHAT SHE THROWS IT AGAIN. IT IS A NEVER ENDING CYCLE BUT IT SEEMS TO MAKE HER HAPPY SO I GO ALONG WITH IT. ANYWAY I HOPE MY DOG FRIENDS HAVE A FAVORITE TOY AND IF YOU CAN HUMOR YOUR MOMS BY CHASING IT. SASHA

p.s. NOTICE IN THE PICTURE THAT I HAVE THE REMOTE CONTROL BY ME, THAT'S IN CASE THAT DOG WHISPERER GUY COMES ON SO I CAN CHANGE THE CHANNEL BEFORE MY MOM STARTS TO GET ANY IDEAS

SASHA'S MOODS

I was thinking to myself today, do dogs have facial expressions? Look at this picture and tell me she doesn't look angry. She is mad about something, probably me taking too many pictures of her lol. It is so funny to me, I never really thought about it. I have so many pictures of Sasha and of course to me she is adorable but each one shows a different expression. I try not to "humanize" her too much but it does make me wonder what she is thinking very often. We are a little goofy but we "talk" for her at times imagining what she would be thinking. Its funny and silly but Sasha has many moods and her facial expressions say it all at times.

DO YOU AGREE??

BUBBLES!

WE LOVE TO BLOW BUBBLES FOR SASHA AND WATCH HER CHASE THEM. I TELL MYSELF SHE IS GETTING GOOD EXERCISE CHASING THEM AROUND BUT I KNOW IT IS MORE FOR OUR AMUSEMENT. STILL SHE DOESN'T SEEM TO MIND AND SHE GETS LOTS OF ATTENTION SO EVERYBODY WINS I HOPE LOL. WHAT DO YOU THINK??

SASHA'S QUESTION

I THOUGHT THEY BOUGHT THIS FOR ME TO PLAY IN??

MONDAY BLUES

OH ANOTHER MONDAY, I AM STILL RESTING FROM A BUSY WEEKEND WITH MY FAMILY. OF COURSE I HAVE TO SPEND PART OF IT LOOKING OUT FROM THE INSIDE OF A CRATE WHEN THEY GO AWAY. OH WELL THE MANY TREATS AND MUCH LOVE MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT. I LOVE MY FAMILY. SASHA

Sasha's Poll Results

THE RESULTS ARE (DRUM ROLL) DOGS ARE NUMBER 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN MY UNOFFICIAL SASHA POLL DOGS WON AS BEST PET BY 70 %. TAKE THAT YOU CATS!

p.s. actually I think cats are kind of cool, they just freak me out a little, no offense intended.

WE ALWAYS GIVE IN TO SASHA

When I think back about all we have gone through on our journey with Sasha, nothing sassy she did ever matters when I look at that face. She sleeps with me almost every night and I usually wake up with her back pressed against mine. When I get up she rolls all over my pillow and then we go down and start our day. She keeps me company and I don't know what I would do without her. She gives back all the love we give her in her own way. I think her biting and growling is just her way of venting. She certainly does make life interesting and you can't put a price on that.

TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY IS COMING!!!

Take Your Dog to Work Day is Friday, June 26 – and Petfinder is the proud adoption partner of the Pet Sitters International event. To find out how you can participate with your workplace, visit TakeYourDog.com.

HERE I AM WITH MY SISTER KATY ALL READY TO GO. I HOPE SHE TAKES ME OUT TO LUNCH. I ALSO HOPE I DON'T BITE ANYONE SO SHE GETS FIRED. WISH ME LUCK

TIME TO RELAX WITH A NICE GAME

Lets see, wait I am color blind how am I going to know where to put my left foot? Oh well I will just keep spinning this thing, its more fun anyway, let them do all the work and look silly.

SASHA LAST CHRISTMAS

Ok the coat was bad but this is just embarrassing!! What I won't do for a treat.

WHY DO THEY PUT CLOTHES ON US???

I love my family but why oh why do humans feel the need to put jackets or any type of clothing on us? HELLO I have fur, I don't need any more help from you thank you very much!! So when I am biting you as you are persistently trying to get this on me it is my way of saying NO I don't need it but thank you anyway.

Love Sasha

SASHA GUARDS HER "SISTER"

Sasha can be very cuddly but it is usually on her terms, I guess this is where we could use the dog whisperer. When my husband gets home from work, she goes right up to him and scratches at his legs until he picks her up. He carries her around as we chat and she is very calm. I can pet her, she will give me kisses all is right with the world. When my daughter Katy gets home Sasha also gets very excited, however when Katy picks up Sasha no one can come near. If anyone comes within a short distance she will bark and growl sometimes scratching Katy in the process. I am with her the most so I usually hold her when no one is around. I think when she is with her "Dad" she feels protected but when she is with her "sister" she feels like she has to be the protector. I don't know but in any case, she will not share Katy! When we watch tv at night, she loves to cuddle by us, but again if you come near her and Katy she goes nuts! She is her sisters keeper!

PLEASE GIVE A RESCUE DOG A HOME. IT WAS THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME!

My morning routine

I always start the day with a good brushing of my teeth, you never know who (or what) you might be licking later on. Make sure to do both sides front and back. Great now I am ready! Now if I bite my Mom I have the satisfaction of knowing I had clean teeth.

Ha Ha

I got the comb away from her and

I found a place to hide so she can't get me next time. Shhh don't tell anyone.

Bath day

What did I do to deserve this. I keep myself clean, I roll in the grass outside all the time. I lick myself whenever necessary so why must I be tortured with a bath?? Now I have to start all over again to get my old smell back, it never ends. Well at least the joke is on my Mom, I got her all wet and even growled at her a few times just to try to scare her into letting me out. It didn't work, I am clean. WHY?

Sasha's favorite lookout

Sasha keeps me safe always as I work on my computer, every so often she just wanders up to the window and checks for anything suspicious and of course she lets me know if anyone is out there. Often times when I go out and someone is home with her, she goes to the window and watches me leave, it is the saddest thing ever. I always feel so guilty. She does this every morning as my daughter goes off to work, it is sad and yet heartwarming to know that she will be there when we return with love and kisses. There is nothing like having a pet!

Driving home from the park

Here I am helping my sister drive home from the park. She is so funny, she thinks she is in control of me, but I know better. I try to humor her and in return I get snacks so its all good.

p.s. my Mom wants you to know that we would not really drive like this and no Sasha's were harmed in posing for this picture!

A day at the park

Here I am after a romp at the park. So many new smells and I am exhausted!

The night Sasha ran away

We adopted Sasha in December of 2004, there was a lot of snow that year. One night I opened the front door for a split second just to look outside and Sasha saw her chance and took off running. We had only had her about a week and she was not trained in any way yet. I had on pajamas and slippers but went out after her. The snow was so high that It was hard to see her, and suddenly a neighbors car came backing out of the driveway 2 houses down. As the car drove off Sasha went running chasing after it. I was screaming but they could not hear me. There I was outside in my pajamas and slippers screaming at a car. I thought we had lost her but then there she was just walking back towards the house. By this time my husband came out to help and ever time he would approach her she would run away playfully, yes she was having a grand old time. Finally she had enough and started up towards a neighbors house that had a very simular porch to ours, my husband grabbed her and to add insult to injury on the way home I slipped on some ice and fell. I didn't get hurt but other neighbors had come out now to help as I am laying on the icy sidewalk in my pajamas. I thought I saw Sasha smiling as we came in, and then she spent some time-out in her crate.

Sasha dinner cry

Every night and I do mean every night after Sasha eats her supper she finds her favorite green sock, picks it up in her mouth and walks around the house upstairs and then down crying with the sock. Its a shrill whining sort of cry, not like she is in pain, very hard to describe. We call it "the after supper cry", not very original I realize. She does that for a few minutes then puts the sock back where she got it from and settles in for a nap. I don't know what the make of this. It has become somewhat normal for us but it makes it very difficult to take her anywhere overnight. Does anyone have a simular problem?

Sasha the Shih Tzu

We love dogs and especially shih tzu's. Our first shih tzu was Holly, we had her for 8 years and she had a heart condition and passed away in my arms. She was the best little doggie in the world. We got her from a breader so we decided after missing Holly so much to try a rescue dog. We found one on line , our little Sasha. She is the sassiest dog there could ever be. She was about a year old when we got her, she had been left at the humane society. The first few weeks with Sasha were a nightmare. She bit us, went potty all over the house even though we were told she was housebroken. We couldn't have guests over for fear she would bite them, she growled at everyone. The vet said she was very healthy and just needed patience. She wasn't kidding. But after about 2 months we discovered the miracle of the squirt bottle filled with water. Suddenly we had a defense and she started to listen to us after a few squirts. We didn't hurt her honestly just a little squirt of water or just a shake of the bottle was enough. It had been 4 years now, Sasha is still sassy as can be, but our scars have healed and we love her with all of our hearts. It took a lot of patience and still does. A friend of ours asked us once why we didn't give her back and I realized it never even crossed our minds, we don't give up. But I still have trouble getting her groomed that is one area that has not improved. Any suggestions??

MICHIGAN GROOMER NEEDED FOR SASSY SASHA! PLEASE!