Being a pet parent is a gift. We are lavished with their unconditional love and devotion. Our days are filled with tail wags, sloppy kisses, and doggy snuggles. But of course, there are challenges as well. We are responsible for their well-being and this includes ensuring they are healthy with routine vet visits. But when our pets actually get sick, there’s nothing more important than making sure they recover quickly. This story focuses on Juniper, an adorable Shih Tzu, and her mom Kayla’s journey through a stressful time.
A Shih Tzu named Juniper had always been a joyful presence in her family in Miami, Florida. However, her owner, Kayla Valdes, noticed a sudden change in her behavior. Initially, Kayla suspected Juniper had an ear infection, but that was quickly ruled out. Concerned, she took Juniper to the vet, who suggested running an allergy test. Kayla agreed, and they took a blood sample from Juniper, but they had to wait two weeks for the results.
When the results came back, Kayla was surprised and a bit shocked to learn that Juniper was allergic to fish, peanuts, and turkey—foods that had been a staple in her diet. Feeling guilty, Kayla expressed her emotions in a TikTok video on her account, @junietheshihtzu.
“I feel like I failed as a dog mom,” she wrote at the beginning of the clip’s caption. However, she added a positive note, saying, “So glad that [Juniper] is now eating food she can have!” Despite the initial delay, Kayla acted responsibly and showed herself to be a caring and attentive owner.
The TikTok video quickly gained attention, with many viewers sharing their own experiences with their dogs’ allergies. One user commented, “Omg. My pug had horrible ear infections and in his wrinkles when he was young. Also turns out he’s allergic to everything except fish! Science diet has great food!” Another shared, “I went through the same thing with my girl. Five vet visits in four months! She would get bad hives and one time had anaphylaxis! Ordered an allergy panel. She’s allergic to everything!!!!!”
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Kayla’s followers have been incredibly supportive, encouraging her not to blame herself and reassuring her that she is doing a great job as a pet owner. We are so relieved that Juniper is now on the mend! It surely looks like she’s one happy pupper. Check her out in the video below.
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@junietheshihtzu I can’t believe she let him do this lol #shihtzu #dogdance #puppydog #chappelroan #shihtzusoftiktok
Toledo, United States.
