My house has been Shih Tzued.

It wasn't a surprise. I knew the Shih Tzu invasion was coming. I've known for several months. Which is a good thing. No one ever wants to wake up and discover that when the weatherman said it's hurricane season he meant one was coming to your house and was going to circle your living room for two weeks. At least I was able to stock up on the necessary supplies before the Category 5 come rolling through my life. I just wished I had taken more adequate cover.

My parents asked if I could watch Suzy, their four-legged replacement for me, the original baby of the family. I couldn't say no. After all, I had dumped my two dogs on their doorstep many times. Not to mention the times I wrecked the car, came home after curfew, begged for something expensive and I'm sure a laundry list of other offenses I've violated as a daughter.

But Shih Tzu watching is exausting. That no one told me. They run and bark and create all sorts of noise. They also don't like it when you go into the bathroom and shut the door leaving them out in the cold. I'm not sure what Suzy thinks I'm doing in there but apparently she thinks it's something really exciting.

They're also alarmists. Suzy likes to sit at the front door and bark. At nothing. Getting all of the other dogs really excited that maybe someone is coming to visit. And in their defense, the way Suzy barks it does sound like someone really impressive is walking up to the door. Like maybe the president. Or even Ed McMahon. There is a mad dash to be the first one to great these invisible guests. It's kind of funny to watch 12 sets of little legs scurrying in 12 different directions.

I have to admit, there were a few times I even fell for it myself and went to the door to check things out. That's one convincing bark.

Even though the pack doesn't see anyone, they realize all that work shouldn't be put to waste. So they bark. And bark. In unison. Three dogs barking at air.

But, like my parents did to me, I'll take good care of their favorite runt. In the mean time I'll check FEMA's Web site for Shih Tzu watching aid.

Shana Adkisson 366-3532 sadkisson@normantranscript.com