Susie Rygh, Monroe, talks about her best friends Schatzie, an 8-year-old Shih Tzu, and Cuddles, a 4-year-old Chihuahua.
Rygh didn’t plan on getting a dog until someone brought a litter of puppies to church one day and she came home with Schatzie, which means “sweetheart” in German.
After seeing an ad in the paper for someone selling Chihuahuas, Rygh eventually brought home Cuddles so Schatzie would have a friend. She said she had always been fond of the breed after having a Chihuahua growing up. Rygh has a plethora of videos on her phone of the two playing and stealing the dog bed from one another.
Best Friends is a weekly feature designed to highlight a local resident and his or her pets. To suggest someone for the series, contact Marissa Weiher, photographer, at photo@themonroetimes.com.
Describe Schatzie’s and Cuddles’ personalities.
Schatzie is just totally different with me than when someone comes to visit. He gets pretty excited. If Cuddles has a toy he likes to take it away gently. He’s really gentle with Cuddles.
Cuddles is usually cuddly which is why I kept the name. When she’s outside she likes to bark at the neighbors. Especially when she was younger, she would bark at bigger dogs like “I’m in charge here.” Now, she’s more reserved. She and Schatzie get along well. Even though there’s a size difference, she’ll copy things he does a lot.
What do you like to do together?
They’re good company. They both sleep in my bed with me. Sometimes they go places with me if dogs are allowed. I take them for walks, they probably think it’s not often enough, but they have a place in the backyard to run around.
What has it been like having Schatzie and Cuddles in your life?
It’s nice having them. They keep me company and they’re so hilarious at times.
