~CHELSI & ROSIE~

Seven years ago we decided to get "a dog" for Chelsi. Not just any dog, mind you. We read and researched different breeds, searching for one that was "child-friendly". We debated several different breeds before deciding upon the Shih-tzu.

We read how this breed would be loving and gentle. How it doesn't shed because it has hair instead of fur. How it is not prone to cause allergies and

that it is not a "yappy" dog.

The Shih-tzu is considered a "lap dog". This title is given to this breed because they love to cuddle up with you and be close at all times. They are quite content to lay quietly on your lap as long as you will allow it!

So, in May of 2001, we made the decision to get a shih-tzu puppy for Chelsi. She really wanted one!

So off we go!

We found a lady in a nearby city with 3 month old puppies for sale. So, we contacted her about viewing her puppies.

We went to look at them the next evening, leaving Chelsi with my parents...so we could surprise her!

There were three puppies available for sale. They were all so cute.....how would we ever choose?????

So, I simply got down onto the floor and said,"Come and see me little baby". All three of them started toward me with great abandon!

Then suddenly one stopped, but the other two kept waddling toward me............

Then, the next one stopped without coming within my reach.

But, the littlest one just ran as hard as she could toward me and rubbed her little head right into my outstretched hands! She didn't care that her brother and sister had stopped running.........it didn't bother her that she was the smallest one of all and that she was running toward a perfect stranger.....she ran for her life....right into my hands......... it was in that moment that I asked her, "Do you want to go home with us little fur muffin?"
And she did!!!!!
On the ride home, I suggested names for her...... I really liked Calli !!!

But Chuck said, no let's have Chelsi name her all by herself.

I wondered to myself...what would a 4 year old...soon to be five year old, name a puppy?????

Chuck said , "Now don't make any suggestions to her....let her do all by herself."

So, when we finally arrived at my parents house, we asked her to sit in the chair and close her little eyes tightly.......NO PEEKING!

So she did just that.......and we put that ball of fur right into her lap!

Our little girl screamed with joy!

Was it "her dog" she asked???

YES!!! We replied!

Is it a boy or girl?

What is her name??? she asked.

It was then that we told her it was a girl....

and she could name her ANYTHING she wanted to!

She thought for a minute and then came up with the name of........(drum roll please..............)

~ ROSIE DIAMOND CROCKETT~
Oh yes! She was sure that was the perfect name for her new puppy!

Her reasoning for naming her was clearly stated:

ROSIE because she was as pretty as a ROSE, and DIAMOND because she loved, loved, loved diamonds!

(Just like her mommy!!!)

So there you have it....Princess Rosie Diamond!!!
They have been inseparable ever since that night!
Rosie is just a little person with fur!

She loves to "talk"...especially when we are talking....she tries so hard to get into the conversation!

She will "tell us" when she needs to go potty. Good girl!!!

She doesn't bark except at the doorbell and when we are eating something yummy! She just wants to share!!!

She will eat anything except lettuce!

She poses for the camera almost as well as Chelsi! ;)
She loves to go "Night-Night" with Chelsi too!
It is so sweet how she looks at her when she is petting her or holding her or talking to her!
She gives such unconditional love!!!

She's a very special part of our family!


Oh, how Chelsi loves her little fur muffin! And Oh, how fur muffin loves her!