Need advice...

[Freedom]

Oh my God, NO! Shih tzus should NOT be kept outdoors!

Take photos of what the dog looks like, the dog house, take photos of the cat's "area."

Take those to the local humane society or animal control, and ask them if this is proper? At this point, you aren't naming the owner or location. But, I am SURE they will say they need to take action.

As Karen said, mats pull on the skin and HURT! Shih tzus need to be at the groomer every 5 weeks or so, it is quite an expense. In between, they need regular brushing to prevent the mats.

Please, help these 2, you are in a position to do this and they can't help themselves, they need a human to step in.

WHY on earth does this person even HAVE pets, if she keeps them outdoors and ignores them like this???

Yes, I can well imagine the poor shih tzu is depressed. Are either animal fixed? Getting shots? Seeing a vet regularly? IF you know who the vet is, you can take the photos to the vet as well. They often can step in and take action, too.

You can also send the photos of the dog to a shih tzu rescue, see if they can provide some guidance.

We recently had a church group contact us about 2 bichons in need of rescue. My Team Leader phoned the person (I hesitate to call her an "owner" considering the state her dogs were in), and the church group had also been talking with her. The dogs are now in a safe, wonderful place. It took about 3 weeks to pull it all together. So it CAN be done!
Grrrr . . . .

[Grace]

I agree with Freedom. Sounds like animal neglect/abuse to me. This person should be reported.

[caseysmom]

Well I won't be over there again to take pictures they will be home anytime. There is an animal lover at my daughters work who is a mutual friend, my daughter is going to enlist her help.

Its just so hard to understand. At the very least I am going to buy the kitty a warm bed for christmas and the doggie some toys and my daughter is going to make suggestions to her and try gently first. I have also told my daughter she can have her borrow my crate to try.

Yes I know shih tzu's take a lot of grooming I spend a fortune on bubba, more than my own hair hehe. But if they don't want to spend that money they at least need to do proper bathing and brushing.

My daughter wants to do this without making an enemy of her friend and most likely if we reported it they would say there is shelter and food and water. So I think a friendly way would be better, I am also going to tell my daughter to tell her its good for her 3 and 6 year old children to learn a good example of the dog and cat being part of the family.

When I grew up my dad loved animals but the dog was always outside, I think some people just don't get it.

[Taz_Zoee]

I went through something similar with a previous co-worker. She has two small dogs that live outside. A couple years ago we have a severe freezing spell here in California. I had NO problem telling this woman that she shouldn't have these dogs at all and that she needed to either let them in the garage or get them a dog house with nice warm blankets. She said it was her husband that wouldn't let the dogs in the house or the garage.
But, to my surprise, she came back after the weekend and showed me pictures of a nice dog house her and her husband built for the dogs. And she put freshly washed blankets in there and the dogs LOVED it! I still wasn't happy that they lived outside, but at least I made progress with getting them a house.
Well, after she stopped working with me I found out (on Facebook) that they got ANOTHER dog! I asked her, bluntly, if this one was going to have to live outside too. Another surprise was her response. No, this one is living in the house. WHAT?!?! Why can this one live inside but not the other two? I don't get it. Oh well, I can only do so much.

My point is, maybe your daughter can make a bit of a difference for these animals. Of course she will be nicer about it than I was with my co-worker, but I have a feeling she can do it!

[Freedom]

When I grew up my dad loved animals but the dog was always outside, I think some people just don't get it.

I'll bet those dogs weren't shih tzus, or any other breed that is bred to be a companion animal. I bet those were working breeds; even if they weren't "working" during their lives, lol.

[cassiesmom]

Caseysmom, bless you and your daughter for caring so much about this dog and cat!

[caseysmom]

I'll bet those dogs weren't shih tzus, or any other breed that is bred to be a companion animal. I bet those were working breeds; even if they weren't "working" during their lives, lol.

Yes your right there were not shih tzus...it would almost be better if he had another dog but then another dog would have that life....

[Vette]

All paws an fingers crossed that your daughter has luck with them. being civil an patient can go a long ways sometimes.

[cyber-sibes]

I just don't understand someone not even brushing a silky furred dog like that till they are all matted - I can't imagine how miserable that poor little thing is. and I agree, if they intend to keep their dog outside, they should get a breed that is suited to their year-round weather.

I know some disapprove of keeping dogs outdoors, but as long as they have an appropriate space (fenced, protected from the elements, plenty of clean water, dry sleeping quarters & regular interaction with their family or another dog), there are many dogs who would just as soon be outdoors. What's unacceptable is when they're abandoned to be stuck in the open tied to a tree or living in squalor. And no dog should be ignored.