Sterling Heights, MI - Chihuahua. Meet Rizzo a Pet for Adoption

My basic info

Breed

Chihuahua

Color

White - with Tan, Yellow or Fawn

Age

5 years 7 months old, Adult

Size

Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less (when grown)

Weight

25 lbs (current)

Sex

Male

Pet ID

–

My details

Not good with kids

Good with dogs

Good with cats

Shots current

Spayed / Neutered

Housetrained

My personality

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

Age: 5 Years
Weight: 25lbs
Good with dogs? Unknown- meet and greet required
Good with cats? Unknown
Good with kids? No
Energy Level: Moderate-High
Adoption Fee: $320.00
Any other info:

Meet Rizzo: A Loyal Heart Searching for His Safe Haven.

Sometimes, love isn't enough to make the world feel safe. Rizzo—affectionately known as Rizz—has spent his life navigating that delicate balance between fierce loyalty and quiet fear.

At just five years old, he has already known both the joy of a family and the heartbreak of being returned to the shelter. He loves deeply, but his anxious heart needs patience, understanding, and a home where he can finally breathe easy.

Rizzo is a compact little guy with an endearing, robust frame and the silliest ears you've ever seen. His personality is a contradiction in the best way—loving yet guarded, affectionate yet cautious.

With the people he trusts, he is a devoted companion, ready to shower them in warmth and love and wiggles his whole body in excitement. Plus, he loves but scratches and leaning into you for comfort.

But with strangers, his fear takes hold, and he needs time, space, and reassurance to find his confidence again. He is protective, not aggressive—his heart simply demands safety before he can fully open up.

A calm, child-free home is what Rizzo needs most. He is a dog who loves hard, who bonds deeply, and who, even now in the shelter, is surprising everyone with his resilience.

He’s doing better than expected, but there’s one thing he can’t shake—the struggle to eat unless someone he loves is nearby. That alone speaks volumes about how much he craves companionship, stability, and the comfort of a home that finally understands him.

While Rizzo’s love for his humans is unquestionable, we’re not sure how he would do with other animals at this time. He may thrive as an only pet, or he may open up in the right environment. What we do know is that he needs patience, a steady routine, and a family willing to help him feel secure.

Rizz is 5 years old, neutered, up to date on age appropriate vaccines, microchipped, and on prevention here with us. He is also taking some daily medication to help his anxiety here in the shelter and may or may not need to stay on that in his home as well.

Rizzo has so much potential. He isn’t broken—he’s simply searching for the right person to help piece together his confidence, one moment at a time.

If you’ve ever wished for a companion who would love you with unwavering loyalty, Rizzo is waiting for you. He just needs someone willing to meet him where he is and show him that safety and love can go hand in hand.

He’s ready to leave the shelter. He’s ready to learn. He’s ready to love. Are you ready to give him his second chance?

If Rizzo’s story speaks to you, please reach out today—he’s waiting for his forever home. Apply through the link below and our adoptions team will get in touch with you.

https://form.jotform.com/201977724595065

Once your application is processed and approved, our adoptions team will reach out to schedule an in person meet and greet with Rizzo.

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Our adoption fees include the pets spay or neuter, microchip, up to date vaccines, heartworm/tick disease testing and fecal check. All adoption fees can be found on our groups' Petfinder page.

The first step to our adoption process is to please fill out and adoptions application, it can be found on our website www.serenityanimalhospital.net, under the "Adopt From Us" Tab. Please email the application to adoptions@serenityanimalhospital.net or drop it off in person during our business hours.

Any questions regarding our adoptable dogs can be emailed along with your application. Please allow us a few days to contact you about your application as we do get many in on a daily basis. We will contact you as soon as possible.