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It’s been a fun but lively few months in the Garcia household as we’ve welcomed a new Shih Tzu puppy into our home.
Despite loving and cherishing our two other pooches, Kylo and Jello, both Matthew and I have always wanted a Shih Tzu. When our friend, Maria, told us she was going to breed her two gorgeous pups, we were the first ones to jump at the chance to bring home one of our very own.
While the gestation period for a dog is only 63 days, I think we waited nine months from the time we learned about Maria’s plan to the day our puppy was actually born.
We waited and waited — sometimes patiently, sometimes not — and when the day finally arrived in early May, we were as excited as any other new puppy parents.
Knowing we wouldn’t be able to bring her home for a couple of months, we again waited but this time with a purpose. We needed to name this cute little puppy.
It seemed like every day Matthew and I would suggest names to each other. Baylee. Winter. Willow. Trixie. Summer. The more names we came up with, the harder it became to choose.
I don’t think we were able to select the name until the night before we were to pick her up. When we finally brought her home, we instantly fell in love. Gypsy is the most adorable, sweet and good little girl (don’t tell Jello).
While having a puppy in the house is a lot of fun, it started a little ruff for our other dogs. They didn’t know how to react. She was a ball of energy, wanting to play, wanting to bite, wanting to just be part of the pack.
Initially, Kylo, our rescue Havanese, was very curious about Gypsy but, at the same time, was a bit hesitant to welcome her into the fold. As the leader of the pack, he had to figure out who this little fur ball was.
He promptly showed her who was the boss and began to discipline Gypsy when necessary. He would follow her, making sure she didn’t wander where she shouldn’t. After a couple of days, she learned who he was, too.
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As Kylo and Gypsy began to nurture their relationship, Jello, our 4-year-old Lhasa Apso, wasn’t having any of it. She did not want this annoying and hyper little thing in her presence.
Jello avoided Gypsy at all costs for the first couple of weeks and, when the puppy was allowed to get close, it was only for a few seconds — long enough for the older sister to become even more annoyed.
Jello watched Kylo “train” Gypsy in the ways of the world, and secretly delighted in watching them play together. I think Jello decided not to participate out of principle.
After a few weeks, we noticed Jello was starting to allow Gypsy in her space a little more. Our middle child then began to chase the new puppy, which started a brand new and much-wanted relationship.
Today, these three pooches — Kylo, Jello and Gypsy — have become the best of friends. They sit together patiently, watching as we prepare their dinner every night. They eat together. They sleep together. They play together.
Not only have our dogs become a newly-expanded pack, we’ve all become a furry-flourishing family.
