Blossom Anne came into my life about 15 years ago.

I had decided that when I graduated with my masters degree, I wanted to get a dog. I had always loved Shih tzus since I was little. My uncle had one named Mr. Peabody and he was black and white with such personality! During my research, I found the bred of Teddy Bears, or breed. Mix of Shih Tzus and Bichon Frise. I fell in love with the breed.

Once I had decided on the breed, I did a lot of research on breeders. I found the perfect one in Indiana. Then in April, she had a spring litter. One of the puppies was black with white tipped feet and white tipped tail. They had named the litter after spring things and Blossom was a part of this litter. I went and picked her up Memorial Day weekend while I was home from school. She melted into my arms right away.

Blossom’s dad was a black shih tzu with gold. Handsome man he was. Her mommy was a white Bichon. Blossom was a spunky little thing. Her tush wiggled lots. When I got her home, Momma and I put her in the backyard. She could barely walk because her legs were still so small. She more like wobbled/pounced. She was the best thing ever.

Blossom spent that summer with me in SC. Then she moved back to OH with me. She would go to Granny Lisa’s when I was attending classes at night. She would greet me at home with a pounce and a wiggle. She loved walks outside our condo and to sit on the porch in her chair. She threw skittles up to herself and chased them. She had a favorite toy sheepy that she loved to play with. So many life events she and I went through…

She adopted my husband very quickly when he came into the picture. When he proposed, she rolled in something stinky and he had to give her a bath! She was a part of it all! When Emmalyn came into the picture, she would look after her. She stuck her head in the car seat to make sure we brought her home. She loved her instantly. Ellianna was a little fast for her, but she loved her as well!

But just shy of 15 years, she said it was time to go…she started withdrawing from my husband. She kept getting scared when we had to tap her to get her attention. She only wanted her momma-and seemed more desperate when separated from me. Her hips started to shake more and it was just time. She sighed a deep sigh of relief when they gave her the calming medication. She knew she was at peace. It reminded me of when I picked her up from her spay appointment. She was groggy, but her tail wagged when they placed her in my arms to take her home!

Her ashes will be brought home today in a cedar memorial box. It’s not been the same around here without her. Definitely quieter. And it will be awhile, if not forever, before I am truly ready for another dog. Blossom was one of a kind.