Bonjour from Alfie

His love for squeaky toys and the fact that whenever we come home with shopping bags, he gets so excited because he expects a present every time! We have to 'pretend' quite a lot by keeping a few of his old toys in the boot of the car and producing them from the shopping as if they are new.

Getting him to eat his meals. He is definitely not a foodie. Loves his treats but will often ignore his food for a day or so, despite tempting him with new things or trying to coax him. Shih Tzus are stubborn little things! He also hates fireworks and the smell of barbecues so we have to calm his shaking by playing his favourite music-Julio Iglesias!

How sweet natured they are and how they will 'adopt' one member of the family to be their comforter. Alfie loves us all but we have our roles in his life. Mum is his mummy for cuddles and comfort, Dad is his playmate for games of hide and seek and squirrel hunting and a bit of rough play. Teenagers are his equals- there to pet him. Nan's room is his safe quiet place to sleep by her bed

How stubborn and fussy they can be. They know their own minds and if they don't want to do something they will let you know-by going on strike. . He loves cheese and mangos.(a good thing if you are giving medicine) but will refuse to eat until he finds a pet food that suits him. It took us a few months of trial and error before we got this right, which can be stressful.