I recently inherited my mother's rat terrier, Missy.  My mom passed away and left behind Missy, along with two Shar Peis.  Well, I had no choice and had to take Missy with me.  She is 4 years old (birthday is August 23rd) and weighs 4.5 lbs.  She's been through a bit of a trauma with her mom passing away..she was there guarding her through the whole thing.

It took her a few days to warm up to me, but she hasn't left my side since.  She went on her first airplane ride, and now has a whole new life to adjust to.  She went from one human and two medium dogs to 3 humans, 2 big dogs (shepard huskey mixes) and a cat.  I'm trying to make things as easy as possible for her.  She is starting to get very curious about things around her, especially the other dogs and the cat.  But for the most part she just likes to lay in my lap (which she is doing right now).  I've been trying to take her every where with me.  She seems to like getting in her little bag and going places with me...

Unfortuatly I work all day....but she is very happy to see me when I get home from work.  I have a friend who's mom has a rat terrier and we are going to try to set up a play date for them.  I know they are pretty social dogs, and I don't think she's been exposed that much.  My mother had her for about a year....and got her from a breeder.  Evidentally there were lots of dogs there. But she's not to crazy about men.....of course she's slowly warming up to my son and husband.

I'm hoping she will become a little more relaxed and start to play.  But I've only had her since the 9th of January, and she's only been in my house since the 19th.  I do think she's doing rather well for all the changes she has been through.  She's got to be exhausted from it all!!!

So sorry you lost your Mom.  It is wonderful of you to take such an interest in little Missy.  Sounds as if she is in great hands and will adjust just fine.  Welcome to the site.

Welcome to the site.  My sympathies to you and Missy on the loss of your beloved mother.  Missy is staying in your lap so much because she is probably still mourning.  My dachshund mourned for a month after his mother, whom he had been raised with, passed away at age 13.  He moped around mostly.  He ate, but wasn't very playful.  He finally returned to his old self.  That's probably what is going on with little Missy.  Give her time.  

So good of you to bring her into your family.  Bless you.  Many adjustments there for her and she may be withdrawing from dealing with the changes right now.  She'll slowly begin to interact with everyone in your family, skin and fur members alike.  Patience, love (and food, of course) is what she needs most during her mourning. 

Were the sharpei's placed in other homes?