Bear The Shih Tzu That Rules The Farm

Bear is the dog we have owned the longest. We got her when the boys were still toddlers. Her personality is a constans source of entertainment. She's like the wise old grandmother that keeps everyone else in line.

When friends of ours brought their new puppy to visit us and he was growling at all of the other dogs that were much bigger than him, Bear promptly walked over to him and rolled him over on his back. No visitor was going to be mean to her friends.

When Bear had puppies and one started picking on the others, she put a stop to it all. She also has a very unique way of showing pups around here that's she's the boss. It a chase game. Bear tears around the yard with the pups in hot pursuit. Then she stops. When the pup is about to run into her, and thinks it has won the game, Bear takes off in the other direction and the chase is on again.

No dog has ever ruled over bear. Kuvasz, dalmation, labrador, boxer nor stray. While the other dogs are cowering from thunder and trying desperately to climb into bed with us, Bear is contentedly sleeping under the kitchen table.

Coyotes getting too close and making racket? I'm standing in the doorway freezing and trying to convince her to get her but into the house and let the big dogs scare them off. She's wondering what my problem is. It's not bedtime yet. She thinks her bark is the most impressive.

Beg? Never. It's not dignified.

I don't know what we'd do without her.