Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
All of our dogs are spayed/neutered, shots current (DHPP, Bordetella and Rabies where applicable), dewormed, flea and tick treated, and microchipped. * If you are interested in a dog, please first read the biography on the dog (keep scrolling down for the bio!) and then go to our website, www.dpsrescue.com for an application. Our adoption fees vary. Each biography will specifically list the adoption fee.This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, January 24th from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, pls submit an application in advance. Adoption fee: $750 Meet TicTac! TicTac is a 3 year old Shih Tzu weighing 11.8 pounds who came to DPS from Southern California. She was a very matted little lady and needed to be fully shaved down, but underneath all that neglect was a sweet, gentle dog with a non-shedding coat and a wonderful temperament. She is currently a bit underweight and on a nourishing routine to help her thrive, and she has already shown how resilient and adaptable she is. Daily Routine & Home Life TicTac starts her mornings with a quick potty break outside, followed by breakfast. Because she’s underweight, she is fed three meals a day, and her foster has found that good exercise really helps build her appetite. She goes on 2–3 walks daily, each about 30–60 minutes long, and after those walks she’s happily hungry and ready to eat. Shortly after meals, she’s taken back out for a potty break to reinforce good habits. When she’s not walking or eating, TicTac spends her time hanging out indoors. She sleeps in a dog bed inside an x-pen, which is left open so she can come and go as she pleases— though she often chooses to lounge right there in her bed anyway. Personality & Adjustment From the moment she arrived, TicTac showed herself to be incredibly sweet. As she’s settled in, her affectionate nature has really shined. She is 100% a cuddler and loves to spend time with people, happily soaking up attention and companionship. While she adores being near her humans, she is not a velcro dog— she’s perfectly comfortable relaxing on her own in her x-pen if her people step away for a bit. Other Animals & People TicTac lives with a cat who outweighs her by quite a bit. The two mostly get along and are curious about one another. She lives in a household with two teenagers and does great with them. While she hasn’t been around toddlers in her foster home, her gentle and people-loving nature suggests she would likely do just fine with younger kids as well. Energy Level & Play Style She is a lovely mix of relaxed and active. When nothing is happening, TicTac is content to lounge in her dog bed and chill. When it’s time to go out, though, she’s ready to move. Her energy level is excellent— normal for a young dog, never hyper, but clearly enthusiastic about life. On the Leash TicTac truly loves her walks. She is a VERY fast walker and sometimes even benefits from a light jog, which her foster happily accommodates when possible. She’ll let you know when she’s ready to head back home, and she enjoys stopping occasionally to explore. She does not chase squirrels and does not bark at other dogs, making walks pleasant and focused. Housetraining Progress TicTac seems to have a basic understanding of housetraining, though she is still learning. She is not familiar with potty pads and has had a few accidents on carpet, but her foster has already adjusted her routine by taking her out within 15 minutes of eating, which is helping build better habits. Importantly, she has never peed or pooped in her crate or x-pen. She even sat by the front door a couple of times, clearly trying to communicate that she wanted to go outside— sometimes for potty, sometimes just for a short walk. Behavior Notes TicTac does not chew when bored, does not dig, and almost never barks. In fact, she’s remarkably quiet. She may have barked once, and she did whine early one morning when she needed to go out, but overall she is a very calm and easy presence in the home. Why Adopt TicTac? TicTac is incredibly sweet and affectionate, with a loving heart that just wants to belong. She will benefit from a little patience as she learns basic commands and continues polishing her housetraining, but her gentle nature and eagerness to connect make her a joy to have around. She’s the kind of dog who quietly works her way into your heart—and stays there.January 23, 2026, 2:33 pm
