Regular brushing will remove loose hairs, dirt, and external parasites. It will also help spread natural oils produced by your cat's skin throughout its fur. This will increase the overall shininess and sleekness of your cat's coat. Brushing your cat frequently will also reduce the amount of fur that it swallows when grooming itself, thus reducing the number of hairballs it produces. Begin grooming your cat at a young age so that it will get accustomed to it. Professional cat-grooming services may also be available in your area. Prices for these services can vary widely. Long-haired varieties of cats will need more frequent brushing than short-haired varieties. Long-haired cats will need to be brushed once every few days, while short-haired cats may only need grooming once a week. Other experts suggest brushing long-haired cats for at least 15 minutes per day. To brush your cat well, you will need a quality general brush, a steel comb, and a rubber or bristle brush. All of these should be versions designed specifically for cats. Optionally, a fine chamois or washcloth can be used to wipe your cat after brushing. This will remove any remaining hairs and improve the shine of your cat's coat. Starting with the general brush, stroke your cat's fur softly, working from head to tail. Next, use the steel comb the same way. This will help remove any dirt and debris. Finally, use a bristle or rubber brush, which will remove any loose hairs. If your cat's fur has any tangles, carefully work those out before brushing its whole coat. If you wish, wipe your cat with a chamois or washcloth after brushing to maximize the shine of its coat. Make sure to be gentle on your cat's sensitive areas, such as its belly. To brush the tail of a long-haired cat, make a part down the middle and brush fur to either side.

Summary: Groom your cat to improve the look of its coat. Decide how often your cat needs brushing. Gather the supplies you will need. Carefully brush your cat.

A coat of your concealer will help to secure your lipstick and make its colors more vivid. Try liquid concealer under glossy lipsticks, and powder under matte lipsticks. A thorough coat of lip liner will help your lipstick cling in place. Use a nude shade of lip liner if you'll be applying sheer or neutral lipstick, or try to match the liner to the color lipstick you'll be wearing. Coat your whole pout with lip liner, but avoid filling in your "inner lips" where the teeth naturally hits the lip. Apply your lipstick evenly and within the lip lines. Blot your lips with a tissue to remove excess oils from your first coat, and add a second coat of lipstick to the outer two-thirds of your lips. In addition to providing more vivid colors, a second coat will provide longer-lasting coverage. Form an O with your mouth around your finger, and gently slide your finger straight out of your mouth. This step will remove any lip color remaining on your inner lips, keeping your teeth pearly white. Smile in the mirror and check your teeth for any lingering color. If you see any lipstick, gently rub it away with your pinky finger.

Summary: Apply concealer or powder. Apply lip liner. Apply your lipstick within the lines using a lip brush. Put your finger in your mouth. Check your smile.

Register your litter with the American Kennel Club shortly after whelping. This will demonstrate to potential buyers that you're a responsible breeder, and it will establish each individual puppy as an important part of the betterment of their breed. New owners of these puppies will have access to the group's events, services, and information. The price of Shih Tzu puppies can range tremendously, so you should set a price for yours and stick to it. Prices is based on whether or not the puppies have already been vaccinated, the prices of other local breeders, and your reputation as a breeder. Being consistent about your prices will give you credibility as a serious breeder. You should put a lot of thought and effort into choosing new owners for your Shih Tzu puppies, and make sure that potential owners are making the right choice for their lifestyles. Shih Tzus are excellent companion dogs who do not require a lot of exercise, but require daily grooming; if buyers are looking for a more playful and energetic breed, or if you simply do not think a Shih Tzu is what they want, do not sell to them. Good breeders are responsible for the well-being of their puppies long after they are sold.

Summary: Register the litter. Establish your price range. Find good homes for your puppies.

You might feel hurt or angry if your friends go MIA, but their behavior says more about them than it does about you. Your friends may not know what to say to you, or they might find it too difficult to see you suffering. Seeing a friend come down with a chronic illness is hard for many people because it reminds them that anybody can get sick. People may disappear from your life because they don't want to think about their own health and mortality. Some of your friends might feel awkward around you because they don't know how to act anymore. If they're afraid of saying something wrong, they might start avoiding you altogether. Also, some people inaccurately assume that you want space while you are coming to terms with your diagnosis. Particularly if you have been less present socially due to pain or illness. If a friend says something that hurts your feelings, don't hesitate to tell them how it affects you. Putting a stop to tactless jokes right away will make your friends less likely to say similar things in the future. If your friend cares about you, they will apologize and speak more carefully next time. Be direct. Say something like, "That's pretty hurtful to me. I'd rather you didn't joke about that." Be aware that your friend is probably not being intentionally hurtful. They may be making a poor attempt at humor because they don't know what to say. Not everyone will be capable of giving you the same degree of support, but don't let this keep you from asking. Just be understanding if they can't make something work. Don't assume they do not have time for you. If a friend can't be there for you all the time but still makes an effort to keep in touch and help you out occasionally, let them know you appreciate them. You might say, "I know we used to spend more time together, and I'm not physically able to go out as much. I really appreciate how flexible you have been to still hang out with me."
Summary: Understand that your friends' lack of support isn't personal. Stand up for yourself when people say insensitive things. Revise your expectations.