I know some of you have heard the story as many are friends on the forum and others are 'friends' on Facebook. A few weeks ago while I was out photographing Petit Le Mans I let some photog friends stay at my house. My wife was out and town and they are all good guys. Figured why not? The first morning of the actual event, I skipped the test day due to work, so I needed to leave early to make registration and the photographer meeting.
Everyone but one person left. That day at noon my wife called frantic while I was in the media center. One of our neighbors picked one of our dogs out wandering around the neighborhood. This is my older 6 year old Shih Tzu, Molly. I rush home assuming that Maggie(3 year old Shih Tzu) will be inside. She is extremely skiddish and takes a long time to warm up to you. Loved my wife and I but never adventurous like Molly.
I get home. Get Molly. I frantically search the house and at this point I am in a panic. Maggie is still missing. I call my friends who all rush home from the track. Obviously the one guy that let them out feels terrible. We search until it gets dark. Maggie is spotted once a day for the next 5 days. She was at the golf course, in my neighborhood. Down the street. She must have crossed a busy street multiple times which is amazing. Unfortunately on the 6th day our mail lady called my phone and explain she had found our dog and to not call my wife yet. I went ~1/8 a mile north on that busy street and unfortunately she tried to cross another time and did not make it. I lost it. I was forced to pull the E30 over and broke down. Not the first time during the ordeal and it wasn't the last. Each day she was lost became the worst day of my life and it culminated with this event. I can tell you I would never wish that on anyone. Her life was too short and I keep trying not to blame myself but it is tough.
I made the decision that mentally I needed a new puppy. The Shih Tzus are mine and I grew up with two of them. I am a two dog kind of guy. It was a tough choice as I never want to think that Maggie thinks she is being replaced but I do not believe that is the case. As one of my friends said she is waiting in the halls of Valhalla for me 
RIP Maggie - 9/2009 - 10/2012
Maggie Shih Tzu Snow Play
by Halston Pitman | MotorSportMedia, on FlickrToday I made the trek with my wife to Augusta, GA to get a new puppy. For the tough times we have had it was a good day! Something we both needed. She is now home with us and doing well. Cannot wait to watch her grow up.
Taking submissions for names! We seriously cannot come up with something we both love.
8 Weeks 2lbs - Should see her get to ~10lbs. Slightly smaller than Maggie but not as big as her older sister.
And yes. She does have these crazy blue eyes!
Shih Tzu Puppy
by Halston Pitman | MotorSportMedia, on Flickr
Shih Tzu Puppy
by Halston Pitman | MotorSportMedia, on Flickr
Shih Tzu Puppy
by Halston Pitman | MotorSportMedia, on Flickr
