Tired 'pack' needs a guard dog`

They may not be Rotweilers, Dobermans or German Shepherds, but Shih Tzus -- or most of them -- are supposed to be "alarm dogs," protecting their owners against all forces of evil with their big barks (no bite).

These dogs are known to be feisty companions and gentle lap dogs; with their most appropriate nickname being "lion dog."

My mom introduced me to the breed through her feisty little Shih-Tzu, Molly, about nine years ago. Any time anyone knocked at my parents' door in their very high-traffic house, Molly would come a running and barking, just to be sure the person entering was a "good guy." Interestingly, she never did detect any bad guys.

Years later, I bought Lizzie. She looks like a Shih-Tzu, and certainly acts as a companion (note the deletion of feisty) and gentle lap dog, but it's safe to say Lizzie hasn't barked more than five times since I bought her. Those occasional barks have come when she has gotten into a heated playing session with another dog five times her size, like Buster, my friend Jan's Boxer, who is her favorite wrestling buddy.

Confident? Yes. Prissy? Definitely. Alarm dog? No way.

Of our little pack of two, I'm definitely the pack leader, as was completely proven this week.

I've been trying to watch less television, and read more books, because my stack of books to read is getting unreasonably high. My excuse is always that I don't have time to read, so lately, I've been reserving about 20 minutes before bed as reading time.

I've started out reading Soapstone, by our very own John Carney. I was delighted when he asked me to read the book. But when he asked, "Do you think you'll get to it relatively soon?" I knew I had to, and wanted to, get to it sooner than later (and I'm glad I did, because so far I'm really enjoying it).

Anyway, a few nights ago, Lizzie and I were snuggled up in bed (Lizzie in her spot at the end of the bed, facing the window) enjoying Carney's first novel, when a scary noise caught our attention. Lizzie looked at me and I looked at her, both of us non-verbally communicating our fear to each other.

This noise continued and kept me -- us -- up all night. I learned the next day that it was some rancid animal tearing through my garbage bin, which happens to be behind my house and close to "Lizzie's" window. It was a rough night for both of us.

The next night, the same thing happened. As soon as the critter arrived outside, Lizzie leapt three feet into the air and landed on my lap, where she remained for the rest of the night. Poor girl, she really was terrified.

Molly, my mom's shih tzu, would have had a field day trying to scare that skunk, raccoon or cat -- whatever it was -- away, of course with the window in front of her.

Over the past few months I've been seriously considering rescuing a cat or little dog, mainly as a companion for Liz while I'm gone. But now I'm starting to think I need to skip my desire for a little dog, and go for the big guard dog ... because Lizzie and I really need some sleep!

-- Sadie Fowler is a staff writer for the Times-Gazette. She can be reached at (931) 684-1200, ext. 214, or by e-mail at sfowler@t-g.com. This column is scheduled to print every Thursday.