Parenting 101 by a Shih Tzu

I guess I can’t write enough about it. I already wrote two entries about our Shih Tzu, Bob, before and now I’m doing it again. Maybe that’s because I’m new to this feeling of being affected by a pet, in a positive way of course. Or maybe it’s because I envy Bob, because he is always smiling and is never stressed. I actually want to set up a camera at home so I would know what he is doing every time no one is there. Hmmmmm my imagination can really go crazy sometimes. Sometimes I imagine that when no one is home, he talks to the cats and fishes there, with a tiny voice like Justin Bieber. Why not right? Haha.

I ‘m actually waiting for the day when Bob will answer back every time I call his name, that would be the most awesome thing.

My mom is actually hurt because every time I get home, I always look for Bob first. Maybe that’s because I know that when I call his name, he’ll really approach me and he’ll share the positive vibes he always carries. It’s almost a year now since we got him and he has gotten fatter since that time. And that’s because of me feeding him so much. I’m spoiling our dog and I like it. There are times when I don’t mind having a haircut even if my hair is kind of long already, but when it’s time to give Bob a haircut, I don’t mind spending money to have him groomed. Not to mention that it costs more than twice the price of my haircut and I really have to go out of my way to do that. I don’t mind, I really don’t. And I also won’t deny that I give him a bath sometimes as well, all complete with shampoo, conditioner, drying, and combing.

Man I’m a great pet owner.

Does that mean I’ll be a great parent as well?

I was able to hear an advertisement while I was in the train before saying that having pets in the house is healthy for children. It helps children develop their emotions better. I’m not really sure why but I’m not surprised and shocked. Having a pet makes someone involved in a certain kind of level. It lets you feel concerned towards a living thing and it invites you, in a very effective way, to be caring and loving. I’m not sure with other animals but I think that dogs are very effective in reciprocating that care and love. They don’t talk and they won’t write you a thank you note, but they show appreciation in their own way. And you’ll feel it, you really will.

These are all coming from the perspective of someone who didn’t have a pet when he was a kid. As I said during my previous entries about Bob, this is the first time I felt attached towards a pet. We have several dogs, fishes, and birds at home but I was never really attached to them. It was just really Bob. And if I think about the experience I’m having now being experienced by a younger person, I find it plainly amazing. I always wondered why some people cry when their pets die. Now I know and I fully understand.

Do you think I’ll be a better dad because of my experience with Bob? If I’m capable of being caring and loving to a dog who does not speak, write, or even hug you, how much more with a child who does not just speak, write, or hugs you back, but is someone who came from you and who shares the same blood as you? If I’m capable of spoiling a dog, what more can I do for my child? If I go out of my way and spend my money for a dog, what more for my child?

This only means one thing. I’m ready to be a father.

Haha kidding. In a couple of years maybe

My Bald Shih Tzu

*Warning: I think this is my gay-est entry ever haha*

Around one month ago went I got home from work, I was surprised to see a new dog inside our house. There’s only one dog staying inside the house and his name is Bob. I so love him I even wrote a blog entry about him before (How A Shih Tzu Made My Life Better). Check it out, isn’t he so cute? He’s my ultimate de-stress-er because he always smiles and he got so much energy. You’ll actually envy him, he never gets tired. And he sleeps like a human. Yep he does. Amazing right?

These are the reasons why I got shocked when I saw a bald Shih Tzu inside our house. I thought it was a new dog but when I looked closely, it was Bob! I was so surprised. What made things worse is that you can see that Bob is not happy with his new haircut. After several weeks, we witnessed Bob’s transformation. He doesn’t smile anymore, he’s no longer enthusiastic and playful, and there are even times when he doesn’t even leave the room. Poor Bob. We were concerned. We really were. Buy what can we do? It’ll take at least 2 months for his hair to grow and we didn’t know of any dog hair grower shampoo.

So we just waited. We didn’t stop playing with him and we were extra sensitive. He looked funny but we didn’t laugh. My mom always reminded us that he can feel that we’re laughing at him.

And then, just like the fairy tales we read when we were young, Bob went back to normal. He became happy again. He started to be playful and enthusiastic just like before. And now, he smiles at you when you call his name. He’s still bald but I think he finally got used to it.

My de-stress-er is back! yey!

Bob before:

Bob now:

How A Shih Tzu Made My Life Better

(This is Bob )

My sister turned 10 last June 12 and as a surprise gift, my parents bought her a Shih Tzu. It’s a male one and in the accompanying certificate, his name is Bob. Hahaha what a name for a Shih Tzu right? I thought of other names because people told me that such dogs have vain, high profile names but when I spoke to my sister, she told me she wanted to retain the name. So when you come visit our house, you’ll see a very cute little Shih Tzu running around and his name is Bob.

I’m not exactly a pet lover. I do appreciate animals and their beauty but personally, I really don’t take it to the higher level. In fact, I never had a pet. We have dogs, birds, and fishes at home but I really don’t see them as pets.

Bob is different. Technically, he’s not mine, but for some reason, I want to have a sense of ownership over him. It’s not just because he’s cute and playing with his very soft fur is such a great feeling. It’s because every time I look at him, he makes me feel happy. He is seriously smiling all the time. And his eyes are full of positive energy.

Every time I see him, I can really see that he doesn’t have a problem at all. It’s like he’s living the moment at its full potential. He enjoys my sister’s company when she’s there, but he doesn’t become mad and wild crazy when she’s not. He simply plays his way throughout the day. He eats when he is hungry, sleeps when sleepy, and drinks when thirsty.

I’m not crazy or anything but Bob reminds me of the people I see everyday who inspire me to smile in spite of reasons not to. These people are sometimes ones I don’t even know. Sometimes I see them as I walk to my office, as I walk in a mall, when I go shopping, or when I buy food. These are simply people who smile, people who have so much positive energy in their eyes. I’m sure they have problems as well. We all do right? But such people keep their chins up and live throughout the day not just for tomorrow, but more so because of the present day all within their grasp. And even if I don’t know them, they are able to share their positive energy to me. Much like the way Bob does.

It would be so great if more people would be like Bob