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Lap Dogs On The Loose (Shih Tzu's on a Rampage)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 19 Jan 2007 | Tucker McQueen

Posted on 01/19/2007 5:35:47 AM PST by commish

Be on your guard. The Shih Tzus are loose in east Cobb.

Residents of a condominium community on Powers Ferry Road have sounded the alarm that a pack of noisy, furry little dogs has been free-ranging on their property.

Property manager Leonard Danuloff of the Covered Bridge Condo Association uses a dish of water to try to coax one of two stray Shih Tzu dogs that have lived in the neighborhood for at least four weeks and have so far eluded residents as well as animal control workers.

The two stray Shih Tzus originally were four. One was a road victim, and another has disappeared. Some residents indulge the dogs; others want them gone.

Four shaggy little dogs, bearing an uncanny resemblance to agitated rag mops with teeth, first appeared shortly before Thanksgiving.

Residents don't know how the dogs, likely Shih Tzu mixes, shed their lives of domestication. Most recently, they have only spotted two of the dogs. Reportedly, one was killed a few weeks ago after straying onto nearby Powers Ferry Road. Another is, apparently, on the lam.

The skittish canines have run circles around would-be captors. They yap at anyone who tries to come close.

Condo resident Marti Kelefas said they have avoided being lassoed, netted or tricked into a cage.

Cobb animal control officers were called in and set a trap. They couldn't nab the dogs but did snare someone's long-haired cat.

One concerned neighbor suggested they use a tranquilizer gun, but officials pointed out those are normally reserved for large game, not 7-pound canines.

Covered Bridge condo manager Leonard Danuloff cornered the pups inside the swimming pool fence. The wily dogs dug under the fence and escaped.

Gabriella Toth is determined to tame the pooches and give them a home.

"People act as if they are 400-pound tigers," she said. "They bark a lot, but they are scared and don't know what else to do."

And Toth believes the pair might be adding to their number soon. She said one of the pooches is suspiciously plump.

In the condo office, Danuloff watched the male dog guarding his mate as Toth approached them.

Bringing food and water four times a day, Toth is honing her skills as a Shih Tzu handler.

On Wednesday she thought she was close to catching them ... up until the moment they scooted away.

"They are just so damn cute," she said. "If I don't feed them, they will die."

Animal Control officials warn that feeding them makes catching the canines more difficult, but Toth has ignored the advice. One homeowner brings them chicken and another serves them fried eggs.

Toth built an insulated doghouse on a covered bridge at the rear of the neighborhood and filled it with stuffed animals and warm blankets. She provides distilled water so they won't drink out of a nearby creek.

Not all of the condo's residents are sympathetic. Toth said she saw a large man kicking at the dogs.

She told him she would break every bone in his legs if he hurt them.

Another homeowner, Wendy Bassner, became concerned after one of the dogs came after her Jack Russell terrier. She had heard there was a pack of wild dogs loose in the neighborhood.

But somehow the terms "wild" and "Shih Tzu" don't seem to go together.

In recent weeks she has warmed to them.

"They shouldn't be out here in the cold, she said. "They should be someone's pampered pets. They should have a nice home."


TOPICS: Local News; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: crazycanines; doggieping; murderousmutts; wilddogs; yapyapdogs
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GRRRRR. This is out turf mac!! FEED US OR ELSE!

1 posted on 01/19/2007 5:35:50 AM PST by commish
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To: commish

I have a dog, puppy still, that is half Shih Tzu and half Lhasa Apso.............I call him a Lotsa Shitzhu........


2 posted on 01/19/2007 5:38:17 AM PST by Red Badger (New! HeadOn Hemorrhoid Medication for Liberals!.........Apply directly to forehead.........)
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To: commish

3 posted on 01/19/2007 5:40:15 AM PST by divine_moment_of_facts ("Listen to the sustain!" "I'm not hearing anything." "You would thought, if it were playing.")
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To: Red Badger
I have a papmpered and spoiled Golden Retriever.

While the article is humorous, I do hope they catch the little guys and give them good homes. They are obviously not viscious dogs, just scared and in need of some love.

4 posted on 01/19/2007 5:41:16 AM PST by commish (Freedom tastes sweetest to those who have fought to protect it.)
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To: commish
Cute dogs. I adopted one 2 years ago. Too much for the owners. Adorable but dumber than a box of rocks. After I rehabilitated his hind quarters from a botched neuter the rascal dug up my backyard. Gave him to a family who lives on a ranch. He likes to herd the cows.
5 posted on 01/19/2007 5:42:06 AM PST by poobear
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To: poobear

Shih Tzu's are definately a high-maintenance breed. While small, they are basically burry balls of energy that never slow down, and they demand the attention of all around them at all times. They do make absolutely wonderful companions though for those who have the time to devote to them.


6 posted on 01/19/2007 5:44:51 AM PST by commish (Freedom tastes sweetest to those who have fought to protect it.)
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To: commish
They are obviously not viscious dogs, just scared and in need of some love.

I see you've never owned one...........

7 posted on 01/19/2007 5:44:55 AM PST by Red Badger (New! HeadOn Hemorrhoid Medication for Liberals!.........Apply directly to forehead.........)
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To: Red Badger

I had one back in the '70s. Chinese temple guard dogs...they are tough, you are correct. We named her Shao Lin. And I know they are supposed to be stupid, but I guess ours never read the instructions, since she was reasonably intelligent.


8 posted on 01/19/2007 5:48:18 AM PST by Pharmboy ([She turned me into a] Newt! in '08)
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To: commish
No doubt attention demander's! I felt bad for him, he was so loving but went ape if I'd leave the room. Probably would have been O.K. after a few more months, but he was a bad influence on my other young puppy a yorkie poodle (Poobear). Turns out he's very happy with two young children and a stay at home mom. I would consider adopting an adult Shih Tzu.
9 posted on 01/19/2007 5:49:42 AM PST by poobear
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To: Pharmboy

Mine is stubborn as a mule, and even a 3 months, very territorial and ready to attack when someone comes to the door..........


10 posted on 01/19/2007 5:50:14 AM PST by Red Badger (New! HeadOn Hemorrhoid Medication for Liberals!.........Apply directly to forehead.........)
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To: commish

Feral Shih Tzus. Now I've heard everything.


11 posted on 01/19/2007 5:57:17 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: commish

my ex-husbands gramma had a half Shih Tzu/Tibetan Terrier.. It was a horrid little creature!! Lets just say I didnt partake in the grieving process when he FINALLY died and went to doggie hell.

MM


12 posted on 01/19/2007 5:58:10 AM PST by motormouth (It's not true that life is one damn thing after another; it is one damn thing over and over.)
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To: commish
Scared Shih Tzu-less.
13 posted on 01/19/2007 6:00:43 AM PST by andy58-in-nh
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To: commish

Nasty little creatures.

I will never understand people who willingly get these "dogs". Mops with teeth is a much better classification.


14 posted on 01/19/2007 6:04:05 AM PST by Hoodlum91 (I support global warming.)
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To: motormouth

LOL! He'll meet my aunt and uncle's miniature poodles. What a waste of dog food!


15 posted on 01/19/2007 6:05:17 AM PST by Hoodlum91 (I support global warming.)
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To: Hoodlum91

LOL

After he died, I wanted to donate him to the local Chinese restaraunt, but even they wouldnt take him.

MM


16 posted on 01/19/2007 6:07:06 AM PST by motormouth (It's not true that life is one damn thing after another; it is one damn thing over and over.)
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To: Pharmboy

Guess mine didn't either. He catches on quick. He can be stubborn sometimes. He's energetic & fast. Very fast.


17 posted on 01/19/2007 6:17:47 AM PST by Sue Perkick (Just a water spider on the pond of life.)
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To: commish

So, what happens with their hair? Does it just keep growing and growing?


18 posted on 01/19/2007 6:20:13 AM PST by LongElegantLegs (...a urethral syringe used to treat syphilis with mercury.)
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To: LongElegantLegs

Oh yes. These are probably going to have to be shaved. Hair mats up easy.


19 posted on 01/19/2007 6:21:31 AM PST by Sue Perkick (Just a water spider on the pond of life.)
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To: commish; MeekOneGOP; Conspiracy Guy; DocRock; King Prout; SandyInSeattle; Darksheare; OSHA; ...

Anybody who is afraid of these dogs should do the world a favor and decline to procreate.


20 posted on 01/19/2007 6:38:31 AM PST by Slings and Arrows (Tell Tom Vilsack to WEAR THE BEAR!)
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