In the beginning

Hello everyone, let me introduce myself. I am Mazie, I am a white and gold Shih Tzu dog, weigh 7kg and lived with my family for 16 years and 11 months (that's me in the picture). When I moved on to the other side of the rainbow bridge my dad wanted to tell my story but was too upset. So I decided to tell it for him. This is my story.

I was born in the north of England in a small industrial town and had a number of brothers and sisters. When my new family first came to see me most of my brothers and sisters had already moved in with their new families. My brother, white and chocolate brown and sister, exactly the same colour as me, were the only pups left.

I remember my new family coming to visit. My new mum took a like to my sister who immediately sat on her knee and gave her a huge cuddle. Me on the other hand thought that was boring and I wanted to play in the garden with my brother. I used to love winding him up, which sister doesn’t like winding their brother up! By sneaking up on him and biting his tail. This wound him up and he would chase me around the garden – happy days!

My new dad and new older brother RJ (human) watched me play with my brother (dog) and immediately fell in love with me. I heard them speaking to my new mum who wanted to take home my sister but eventually gave in to their pleading and chose me.

A few days later my new family came back for me and it was time to say goodbye to my first home. By this time my sister had gone to her new home and only my brother was left. I remember my new mum and dad saying much later on that they wished that they had taken my brother also and hoped he had a good family too. We never found out, but this demonstrated to me that I was with the best most considerate family ever.

As we left, I felt a little home sick and out of my depth. After all I had never gone beyond the security of my garden and now I was leaving in a car with a group of people I had only met once! I felt sad as I heard my brother barking for me as we left. All the best my brother and sorry for winding you up so much! We [the new family and I] always remembered and thought of you.

I was in the back of the car wrapped in a blanket which made me feel secure and sitting on the knee of my new aunty, aunty L. My new mum (from now on mum) and new dad (from now on dad) were in the front seats. My dad was driving. The journey took about 45 minutes and then we arrived at my new home.

I was taken into the living room and was never short of cuddles. After a while aunty L left and I was able to get to know mum, dad and my new older brother RJ. I was offered water and food but was still feeling a little nervous and so didn’t bother much with that. Later on that night, it was time for bed. Where am I to sleep? My mum said that she wanted me to make my home in the kitchen. RJ had his own room and mum and dad theirs. I didn’t like that much and wanted to be with them as I felt lonely. So, I cried, and cried, and cried, and cried……..until finally dad came into the kitchen with a sleeping bag and slept on the floor next to me. I knew immediately that dad and I were going to be best of friends for ever! At that point I felt sleepy with a nice warm glow in my tummy and drifted off to sleep.

That’s all for now, some tasty dog biscuits to consume, I’ll speak to you next time. Ta ta for now [TTFN]

Mazie