[mabird]

K, let me start by saying that I KNOW how CRAZY this is all going to sound.

My parents had a shih tzu until about 10 years ago. She was almost 18 when they had to put her to sleep. It has taken them up until about 6 months ago to start thinking about getting another shih tzu puppy.
My folks are not techie (not that I am, however by comparison, I'm a guru) so I started poking around for the "right one". They had been hitting the pet store & breeder circuit on their own & were sure once they saw the "right puppy" they'd know. Color didn't matter, nor sex of the pup. Just that it be a healthy, purebred shih tzu pup.
Well, I found one I thought looked like a possibility (on craigs). I got pics, showed them & the next thing I know we are traveling in up to the Canadian border (we live in southern NH) to see this little girl. We met the owner of the pup and my parents both fell in love with the pup. She was only 7 weeks old my parents had a trip planned to Hilton Head Island for this week, so the woman agreed to hold their baby for them. Shih tzus I believe usually are sold for $600-$1200, I believe (feel free to correct me, really.) She is selling her to my parents for $350 . Now, that sounded strange enough to me... but what am I to do? I'm thinking she's not purebred. My parents are grown & did ask her themselves & I'm guessing believe her... but perhaps they are naive? Should I mind my own business? They are grown and do love the pup... but wanted a purebred... does it matter? I guess my guilt is due to the fact that I introduced them.

*****WAIT IT GETS A TAD STRANGER...

Since my folks left for their trip, I've been staying in touch with her and we've been exchanging pics of our animals. She seems very nice and perhaps like she's been through a lot. She takes in and loves a lot of animals other people don't want, just like I (and a lot of us here) do.
Well, we seem to have "connected" on some level... That being said, she wants to give me a pup from the litter. How bizzare is that? I told her that she doesn't have to give me a pup... that is crazy! I warned her I'd be bugging her with animal pics, photos, & gab long after my parents pick up their dog. That was before she offered me a pup... I don't get it. It's funny but I've got to say, the pup my parents are getting is by far the "prettiest" of the bunch. This woman agrees with that. However, when we visited, I had mentioned I liked baby "Bandit" (she temporarily names them)... there was something about her expression & innocence I was drawn to. I really can't explain it. Well she wants to give her to me. I don't get it. She doesn't know me. She saw me interacting with the pups, but, I dunno.
Here is a quote from one of her emails:

"you seem pretty real and I like that in people and no, I don't do that for everyone, but its not just about the money.
I love these little guys and if i can't keep them, then I wan't only the best for them. they're all really special and I guess i'm not really making any money but I like to make people like your Mom happy. most people think I'm a hard ass with no feeling and for the most part, I'm ok with that. some people are just special and I can tell.
you'll have a little girl to love all your own. youre the first person to see the puppies that was so drawn to that girl there over the others. she's always been yours, just been waiting for you, I guess. Some things you dont question, there just meant"
So, now I ask you... what the h-e-hockey stick-hockey stick is going on?!?!?!??

Does this mean they really are not pure bred? (not that I care... but for my parents. & should it really matter to them, as long as they love her?

I'm afraid to get too excited... what if the pup doesn't come? My heart would be crushed, eventhough I have no right to her. Oh goodness!

Oh, wait... I have pics...

My parents baby girl:







? Mine ?







My parents are due to pick Moxie (& I guess her sis) up on the 29th, on their way home from Maine. I don't know what to do... think of a name of try to forget this whole crazy thing?!?