My Shih-tzu, Saverio - a Wonderful Life

This will be my final post about my darling Shih-tzu, Saverio, our departed furry family member of 16 years. It's been one month since he was 'put to sleep' by our Vet. I hate that term, but there is no best way to say it. Perhap, it would be better to say, "When the Vet helped him over the Rainbow Bridge."

But this post is about Saverio's wonderful life that he gave both my husband and I. We, in turn, provided Saverio with a good home and all the love and affection a pet could ever possibly want.

We had purchased him from a Pet Store, on December 2, 1999, despite our negative feelings about those types of doggie mill places. But the second we saw him, we knew we could not leave that store without him. We didn't dare put him back in the cage for even one minute because jealous people were eyeing him up and down and asking us if we were buying him or not.

Not only was he the most adorable little thing we ever saw, but he was the friendliest, most playful, most good-natured, energetic puppy that was there. We took him and a toy or two into the "playroom" to get to know him. All he did was interact with the toy and us, capturing our hearts forever. No dummy, he knew how to seal the deal. He was smart as a whip and knew exactly what he was doing. And we loved every playful moment of it!

When we took him home our faces hurt from laughing and smiling so much. Saverio was non-stop action. He loved, and I mean loved his toys (and believe me when I say he had mountains of them). We called him a toy monger. He would immediately sense there was a new toy for him in some plastic shopping bag when I'd arrive home from the stores. Maybe he smelled it, who knows? But his little face would light up, his tail would go bezerk with anticipation of his new plaything and he'd run like crazy with the toy in his mouth straight to his little play box. (The play box was actually a small pet carrier) He'd stay inside there with the toy, in order to privately acquaint himself with it. It was a riot! And we had to leave him be, otherwise we'd hear faint growls (although playful) as if he was telling us, "Leave me alone, my toy and I are playing together and you're not invited."

Of course all puppies tug at their owner's pant legs or socks, but Saverio would tug at my pants, my socks and my shoelaces every single time I'd be talking on the telephone. Wanting, demanding my undivided attention, it was non-stop tugging, and he would not let up until I'd finally given in and hung up the phone. Only then was he satisifed. So cute! I wish I could relive those years.

Don't get me wrong, it has only been one month. I am still grieving his loss. But my grief is slowly being replaced with smiles from the wonderful memories of reciprocal love and affection we shared together for the last 16 years. I will hold on to these precious memories of the best little dog I (we) ever had.

Saverio was one in a million. R. I. P. my love.