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Posted over 8 years ago
| Updated over 7 years ago
I found a new home! Plenty of my friends are looking for one too. Check out other pets at this shelter, or start a new search.
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My basic info
Breed
Shih Tzu
Color
Black - with White
Age
Young
Size
Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Female
Pet ID
–
My details
Purebred
Has special needs
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
In addition to the following profile for this dog, please first read the Adoption Information at http://www.shihtzurescuemn.org/adopt.html to understand the process, requirements and timeline for adoption. An adoption application can also be found in the Adoption Info section. If, after reading that information, you have any questions, please submit your question via e-mail and it will be answered. Please do not request a phone call. A personal phone call will only be made when an adoption application has been submitted and the foster parent wishes to consider the application. Thank you!
Pumpkin is an adorable 7 pound, black and white Shih Tzu girl who just turned two years old on May 12. She spent her entire life in a puppy mill and had never been around people prior to coming into foster care, so she is just now finally figuring out what it means to be a “real” dog! Due to her prior circumstances, Pumpkin tends to be shy at first, but when she gets to know you, she’ll be attached to you at the hip and will follow you around everywhere. Two of her most endearing characteristics are the way she cuddles up and lays her chin on you and how she jumps and twirls in circles when it's time for dinner or treats. She is a teeny-tiny little sweetheart! With some patience and proper socialization, we think she’ll butterfly into a very confident dog.
Pumpkin currently lives with her foster parents and two Shih Tzu foster brothers. She loves to chew on bully sticks, throw her toys up in the air, play fetch with a ball, and roughhouse with her brothers! She has a lot of energy, so when they're playing it is quite a sight to behold. Be prepared for hours of comedic entertainment! When Pumpkin first came into foster care, she would not leave her crate, but now, after discovering the couch, the bed and all the luxuries of being a “real” dog, she will make quite a commotion if you try to put her in her crate. She has discovered that she loves to go on car rides; she even jumps up into the car all by herself! And she is now the master of going up and down the stairs all by herself, even though she'd never seen a staircase before! Pumpkin is working very hard on her potty training, but still needs some time and patience to solidify that training. She needs to be taken out at regular intervals throughout the day every few hours for this to continue. When Pumpkin first came into foster care, she had no experience with walking on a leash, but it didn’t take her long to discover just how wonderful walks can be! She happily takes a one or two mile walk every day and enjoys experiencing all the sights and sounds outside. She is fairly quiet, but has recently discovered her voice and sometimes likes to bark when she gets excited. Pumpkin is learning to follow commands; she now knows her name, the word “treats”, "car ride" and “sit”, and she should be very successful in puppy training classes. Her foster parents believe that puppy training will help Pumpkin socialize and also become a more confident dog; so they are looking for a family who will attend training classes with her. Pumpkin loves to sleep in bed with her family at night, she snuggles up in between her foster parents at the top of the bed and lays her chin on her mom’s shoulder or neck!
Pumpkin has luxating patellas in both her hind legs that, according to her vet, will not require surgery as long as she remains at her current weight and get lots of moderate exercise. She also has a sensitive tummy and does best eating a prescription food. Her new adoptive family must continue feeding this particular food to her until she is adjusted into her new home and can, at that point, work with her new vet to transition her off of it.
Pumpkin needs to be in a home with another small, gentle but playful dog from whom she can continue learning proper doggy behaviors. Because Pumpkin loves companionship so much, she needs a family who is home with her much of the day. She will be happiest in a quiet, calm household with adults and older, respectful children. Her foster parents would like her to live in the immediate Twin Cities area so they can visit once in awhile. They would also like Pumpkin and her new family to attend our Rescue Reunion which is held each year on the second weekend in September.
Pumpkin is spayed, up to date on her vaccinations, micro-chipped and on heartworm and flea/tick preventative. Her adoption fee is $396.92, which includes Minnesota sales tax. To meet Pumpkin, please complete an adoption application. Or you can also see her and the other dogs available for adoption from Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota by visiting with us from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Minnetonka Petco near Ridgedale the last Saturday of every month.
