Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
Story
Meet Sunshine
Approximately 1 year old, 10 pounds
Shih Tzu
Sunshine came from a large hoarding situation where she lived with about 60 other Shih Tzus. Because of that, much of the world is still new to her. Every day she gets a little braver, a little more curious, and a little more confident.
The biggest thing Sunshine is looking for is another friendly, confident dog. She absolutely blossoms when she has a canine friend to follow. Our poodle mix has shown her that people can be trusted, laps can be cozy, and walks can be fun. If he hops onto the couch or climbs into a lap, Sunshine is often right behind him.
She is sweet, gentle, and remarkably even-tempered. She is not barky, reactive, snappy, or demanding. In fact, the most noise she makes is an occasional little bird-like chirp. She prefers observation to drama and has a quiet, thoughtful nature.
Sunshine walks beautifully on leash. Neighborhood walks are one of the highlights of her day. She especially enjoys exploring grassy areas, sniffing around the park, and trotting alongside her dog friends. She is not reactive to other dogs, bicycles, or passing cars.
At home, Sunshine enjoys relaxing on the couch and keeping an eye on the household from a safe spot. Loud or unfamiliar noises can still make her nervous, but she recovers quickly and is becoming more resilient every day. Recently she calmly handled having a dishwasher installed by a stranger working in the next room—a big accomplishment for a dog who started out afraid of almost everything.
She loves chicken, peanut butter, and the company of other dogs. She is also a funny little girl with some adorable quirks. One of her favorites is eating when nobody is watching.
Sunshine has met a 9-month-old baby and was understandably cautious at first. Over time she became more comfortable and curious. We think she would thrive most in a calm home without very young children, or with older children who can give her space and let her build trust at her own pace.
She sleeps quietly in her crate and handles being left alone without difficulty.
Sunshine is still working on house training. She recently had a urinary tract infection and is currently in heat, both of which have complicated her progress. She does go potty when taken outside and is improving steadily. As her medical issues resolve and her routine becomes more consistent, we expect her house-training success to continue improving.
Sunshine's spay is scheduled for July 13.
What makes Sunshine special is watching her discover that the world is not such a scary place after all. Every day she tries something new, trusts a little more, and lets a little more of her personality shine through. She will need patience, understanding, and another confident dog to show her the ropes—but for the right family, watching her continue to blossom will be incredibly rewarding.
All POSO Dogs come with:
Spayed/Neutered
Basic Shots (age appropriate)
Fecal and 4DX testing
Other medical concerns addressed before adoption
2 free one-on-one dog training sessions with a professional dog trainer
Training received in foster home
Basic supplies such as food, treats, leash, and collar
PDFs of training material, local coupons, and dog sitter recommendations