Shih Tzu puppies and dogs in Peekskill, New York

Black and white Shih Tzu adult Backstory for Stanley Stanley found himself in an overcapacity animal control facility that euthanizes due to lack of space. He was abandoned at a "friends" house by someone who left the state and never returned. He arrived to the animal control facility neglected, not neutered, and with a damaged eye. Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to pull him to safety to give him a second chance at life.    Get to Know Stanley age: 6-8 years breed: Shih Tzu  weight: approximately 16 pounds  Vaccines and treatments:  Rabies  Bordetella  DHPP, part one and two  Dewormer  Flea/tick prevention  Other tests and procedures:  Heart worm test - negative  Fecal test - negative  Urinalysis to help treat initial infection which has been resolved  Neuter surgery Additional procedures:  • Eye enucleation of his left eye that was too infected to repair • Microchipped • Laser therapy to help with initial pain from infection which is now gone • Bloodwork - some elevated WBC and BUN due to infection when he was pulled to safety. It has been checked twice so far, and numbers are decreasing to show he is healing. Kidney levels are higher than normal range and should be rechecked in a few months. Stanley should be fed a lower protein diet to keep his kidneys functioning well. Veterinary care costs given to Stanley by Animal Saints Rescue Society, based upon NYC area pricing, is $3,500+ Requested adoption donation fee is only $750. This is to partly cover his lifesaving expenses that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue incurred to give him a second chance at life. Breed and Hair Notes  Stanley has hair and not fur. He is a handsome blend of grey and white hair.  PLEASE NOTE: Stanley's hair will grow as it is not fur. He will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Stanley is wonderful for baths and hair trims. He loves attention, and giving him treats through it all makes it even more fun for him.  Personality Stanley is a gentle bloke who wants a quiet existence with his people nearby. It seems as though he has spent most of his life inside. He goes potty on potty pads, and he loves to nap on any available sofa.  Stanley is not thrilled about the outdoors, though he is just starting to show signs of enjoying it. He is timid about going for walks at present. In time, we can see him gaining confidence outside. For now, he will be your best friend inside by the fireside. He has met several dogs of all ages, and he enjoys their company. He is the quiet boy in the group, letting the bolder ones move forward while he waits for attention.  Stanley is incredibly sweet and an all-around heart melter.  He can see well out of his remaining eye. Given he is without his left eye, he can be startled if approached from his left side. He gets around well and has adjusted brilliantly after his surgery.  Basic foundational skills training sessions with a certified professional positive reinforcement trainer are required for Stanley's adoption. Just a few classes are needed, and they are fun. It’s an excellent way to connect with your newly adopted Saint, too.  You can enjoy meeting Stanley in his short film: https://vimeo.com/1142284479 Ideal Home It is ideal for Stanley to be in a very laidback home with only adults. Older children are possible, but only those who have experience living with dogs and have great respect and love for them. Stanley loves the company of other dogs. It is not a requirement for him to have siblings, but he would appreciate the company of other dogs in his life.  Stanley will especially thrive in a home that can give him companionship day and night. He’d be okay for a few hours on his own if you provided him with puzzles and things to do while you’re away.  Plan on sharing your sofa and bedroom with Stanley. He will want to be by your side, no matter where you are and what you are doing. No crates for Stanley.  If you have a very secure fenced-in backyard or outdoor space where he feels safe to venture outside, this would be ideal. Love and Commitment  At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families.  With this in mind, we seek adopters who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical ailments.  We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish.  Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application!       March 15, 2026, 7:46 pm

 Backstory for Daisy Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender involving several Imperial Shih Tzu. Their former person was having emergency medical issues that were life threatening, and they were not well enough to take care of them. Our nonprofit became the safety net for these incredible Shih Tzu.  Our nonprofit is here to help so the Animal Saints do not end up in overcrowded government animal control facilities that euthanize due to lack of space. Daisy recently arrived to our sanctuary to get all of the medical care she needs. Now that we have gotten to know her personality and she has shown us what she needs in a family, she is ready to be placed in her lifetime home. We look forward to finding out who this will be!  Get to Know Daisy Name meaning: represents light, purity, and quiet resilience. Daisy is an apt name for this extraordinary Animal Saint.  age: 3 years young with a birthdate of 3.22.2022 breed: Shih Tzu weight: 7-7.5 pounds Vaccines:  Rabies  DHPP Bordetella  Corona/flu  Other Tests and Procedures:  Spayed in June, 2026 Snap 4Dx test (passed and tested negative for heart worm, lyme, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis)   Dental cleaning in June, 2026  Bloodwork June, 2026 - Slightly elevated level in a couple of numbers, most likely due to arriving with flea bites and scabs. She has been treated, and her skin has healed. Everything else is within normal range and shows healthy organs.  Additional procedures and treatments:  • Microchipped • Fecal test, negative • Flea/tick preventive treatment, heart worm prevention, and dewormer  • First positive reinforcement training sessions  • Several baths and grooms   A good health certificate, as well as a certificate of veterinary inspection, is provided with her medical records. Requested adoption donation fee is only $800. This is to partly cover the costs of care that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue has incurred. On average, Animal Saints’ cost to save a life through our nonprofit exceeds $2,000 per Saint. We do our best to keep our adoption requests as reasonable as possible to encourage more people to adopt.   Breed and Hair Notes  Daisy has hair and not fur. She is a very rare Imperial Shih Tzu with black and tan dobie markings.  Daisy is full grown and very small, one of the smallest Shih Tzu we have helped.  PLEASE NOTE: Daisy’s hair will grow as it is not fur. She will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Daisy was very frightened for baths when she first arrived. Now, she’s calm in them after having several since coming into our care. She had to be shaved down when she first arrived. Her hair is now long enough for haircuts, and she is great about them. She does well for trims, and she wags her tail through them.  Personality Daisy is sweet, spunky, and especially special. She is shy and skittish initially around people she does not yet know. She is very ready to connect, though. We believe that with training and time, she will gain confidence and enjoy meeting new humans.  Daisy has a spring in her step and a joy for life. She loves to talk when she gets excited, and she has a great dance every time her morning and evening meals are served.  Daisy needs a person/family who is willing to meet her where she is in her progress. At this point, she’s not the kind of girl who will just jump in a new person’s lap right away. She is very sweet and is in want of attention and hugs once she knows and trusts a person. But getting to that point takes time. Gaining her trust is a gift, and she needs someone who appreciates how special it is to connect with an Animal Saint in this way.  Because of Daisy’s current shyness and skittishness, she is a flight risk. This means that she needs training and time before going out on a harness and leash for a walk. If you live in a noisy urban area, it is going to take awhile before she’s comfortable with it.  Daisy is learning foundational skills training. We are working on “sit,” recall word “here,” and “look.” We expect her new family to continue training sessions with a professional and certified positive reinforcement trainer to keep her safe in her new life.  To learn more about Daisy, see her excitement about life despite being camera shy, and take in her soulful and sweet disposition, view her short film here: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1212170249 Ideal Home Daisy needs a quiet and laidback home. No high energy children. Adults only who can give a stable, consistent, and safe home. Daisy needs someone to be home throughout the day. Being alone makes her anxious, though this will diminish as she gains more confidence.  Ideally, she should have canine siblings. If a family is interested in adopting just Daisy as their only dog, this is a possibility, but she is going to need to have canine friends nearby to see them often. She’s the kind of girl that follows other canines who are more outgoing and confident. She is going to come out of her shell much more quickly if she can observe and emulate other canines.  It is ideal for Daisy to be in a home with people who are around most of the time. She would not do well being alone for hours on her own while her people are away working. It is important to match her with someone who works remotely or is retired.  No crates for Daisy. If crates are necessary for your lifestyle, then Daisy is not a match. Plan on sharing your sofa and bed with her. Once she trusts you, she will want to be by your side, no matter where you are or what you are doing. She is ready to be a loyal companion for life!    Love and Commitment  At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families.  With this in mind, we seek adopters who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical needs.  We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish.  Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application! October 11, 2026, 12:58 am

Backstory for Marigold Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender involving several Imperial Shih Tzu. Their former person was having emergency medical issues that were life threatening, and they were not well enough to take care of them. Our nonprofit became the safety net for these incredible Shih Tzu.  Our nonprofit is here to help so the Animal Saints do not end up in overcrowded government animal control facilities that euthanize due to lack of space. Marigold recently arrived to our sanctuary to get all of the medical care she needs. Now that we have gotten to know her personality and she has shown us what she needs in a family, she is ready to be placed in her lifetime home. We look forward to finding out who this will be!  Get to Know Marigold age: 3-4 breed: Shih Tzu weight:  5.5 pounds Vaccines:  Rabies  DHPP Bordetella  Corona/flu  Other Tests and Procedures:  Spayed in June, 2026 Snap 4Dx test (passed and tested negative for heart worm, lyme, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis)   Dental cleaning in June, 2026  Bloodwork June, 2026 - ALT is slightly higher than normal range and ideally should be checked in six months, but nothing overly concerning. Everything else is in normal ranges. Additional procedures and treatments:  • Microchipped • Fecal test, negative • Flea/tick preventive treatment, heart worm prevention, and dewormer  • First positive reinforcement training sessions  • Several baths and grooms   A good health certificate will be provided with her medical records. Requested adoption donation fee is only $800. This is to partly cover the costs of care that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue has incurred. On average, Animal Saints’ cost to save a life through our nonprofit exceeds $2,000 per Saint. We do our best to keep our adoption requests as reasonable as possible to encourage more people to adopt.   Breed and Hair Notes  Marigold has hair and not fur. She is a very rare Dobie Imperial Shih Tzu. She is full grown and tiny — one of the smallest Shih Tzu we have ever helped.  PLEASE NOTE: Marigold’s hair will grow as it is not fur. She will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Marigold is so gentle for baths and grooming. She’s had a few since arriving. She actually just laid down on the grooming table for her last trim. She wagged her tail and loved the attention!  Personality Marigold is a little sprite filled with joy and love. She is shy at first, but she is usually faster to connect with humans than her sister named Clementine. Once she feels at ease, her tail will wag nonstop, and she’ll even do a little dance of excitement. She loves attention from humans, and she’s so excited about connecting with them.   It appears that Marigold has not met very many people in her life. She is under socialized and a bit skittish. Because of it, she is a flight risk. Only very securely fenced-in yards will be accepted for her. Do not plan to take her for a walk safely until you’ve completed all of your training classes. She is just getting comfortable being outside; she’s not yet ready for leashed walking. In time, we can see her potentially enjoying it. But it will take time, patience, and training to allow her to gain confidence.  If you live in the city and fall in love with Marigold, please note that it may take weeks before she is comfortable with the sights and sounds of an urban setting. With a very experienced adopter, this could be possible. Her temperament demands a quiet and steady home.  Marigold gravitates toward hanging out with her sister (from a different litter) named Clementine. It is not imperative to adopt them together if we find extraordinary homes for them separately, but it would be a special gift for them to live together. We also observe Marigold finding a quiet place to nap on her own at times. She can be independent, but she also loves knowing where the humans and her canine friends are located. As we write her profile just now, she’s hanging out with her sister Clementine in a big fluffy bed, giving us love eyes.  Marigold loves hugs and asks to get picked up often. We can see her eventually loving going out to run errands with her person in a shoulder carrier. She is also a great office assistant. She loves napping in the biggest fluffy dog beds in the sanctuary. She makes a beeline for the beds next to the tables where our volunteers do office work. She loves being near, but she’s not demanding of constantly being in a lap.  Marigold is getting familiar with foundational skills training. We are working on “sit,” recall word “here,” and “look.” We expect her new family to continue her training sessions to keep her safe in her new life with them. You can view a short film about her here: https://vimeo.com/1207599987 Ideal Home It is ideal for Marigold to be in a home with people who are around most of the time. Plan on sharing your sofa and bedroom with her. Once she trusts you, she will want to be with you. It’s how she’s wired, and it is important to find a home that will give this to her. Marigold is diminutively small. She needs to be in a home with dogs who are a similar size.  She will especially thrive in a home that can give her companionship day and night. She will be okay if you have to be away for a few hours. It would be ideal if she had canine friends if you need to be away.  No crates for Marigold. She does well in a travel carrier in a car, but not in a crate at home during the day and/or night. If they are a must for your lifestyle, then she is not for you.  Older children are case by case — only those who have experience living with dogs, understand dog behavior, and have great respect and love for them will be considered.    Love and Commitment  At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families.  With this in mind, we seek adopters who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical needs.  We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish.  Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application!     October 11, 2026, 12:58 am

 Backstory for Tollie & Walter Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender involving several "Imperial" Shih Tzu. Their former person was having emergency medical issues that were life threatening, and they were not well enough to take care of them. Our nonprofit became the safety net for these incredible Shih Tzu.  Our nonprofit is here to help so the Animal Saints do not end up in overcrowded government animal control facilities that euthanize due to lack of space. Tollie and Walter recently arrived together to our sanctuary to get all of the medical care they need. Now that we have gotten to know their personalities, we clearly see their unshakable bond for one another. They have lived their entire lives together, and it is our goal to make certain this continues in their ideal lifetime home. We look forward to finding out who this will be!  Get to Know Tollie & Walter  age: 7 years young, though a veterinarian guessed their ages at closer to 4-5 due to their spryness.  A good health certificate will be provided with their medical records. To see complete list of their extensive and respective medical history, please visit their separate adoption listing pages.  Requested adoption donation fee is only $800 for each Animal Saint. This is to partly cover the costs of care that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue has incurred. On average, Animal Saints’ cost to save a life through our nonprofit exceeds $2,000 per Saint. We do our best to keep our adoption requests as reasonable as possible to encourage more people to adopt.   Breed and Hair Notes  Tollie & Walter have hair and not fur. They are both very small Shih Tzu. Some refer to their size as "Imperial," though the AKC does not recognize this description as official. Tollie & Walter are full grown and very small, some of the smallest male Shih Tzu we have helped.  PLEASE NOTE: Tollie & Walter’s hair will grow as it is not fur. They will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Both Tollie & Walter are amazing for baths and haircuts. They have both had several baths and trims since arriving in our sanctuary, and they are a dream to groom. Personality Tollie & Walter are both outgoing, sweet, and attentive. Get ready to be given abundant kisses by both boys. Especially Tollie!  Because of Tollie & Walter’s outgoing personalities, we can see them thriving in an urban or country life. No matter the setting, though, he needs quiet and stability. No young children. No loud and active homes. They are both outgoing, but they also need a chill and consistent life to truly flourish.  Tollie & Walter have made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that they are indeed best friends. They eat together, nap together, play several times a day together, go outside together, and sleep through night together. If you have a heart and home open to adopting two best friends, you’d have a pair of amazing Animal Saints in your life!  Please keep in mind that Tollie & Walter are small — smaller than a standard size Shih Tzu. Extra care needs to be taken to keep them safe when they are around other canines and out in the world. Tollie & Walter are the kinds of Saint who will eventually love a quiet stroll in the park or neighborhood. They are learning how to walk on a leash. They will need a patient adopter to help show them that the outside world can be enjoyed.  Tollie & Walter make great office assistants! They like to hang out together in a dog bed by our volunteers while they do office work. The boys also enjoy playing with some of the other adoptable Animal Saints.  Tollie & Walter are learning foundational skills training. We are working on “sit,” recall word “here,” and “look.” We expect their new family to continue training sessions with a professional and certified positive reinforcement trainer to keep them safe in their new lives.  Watch them in their short film: https://vimeo.com/1222870384   Ideal Home It is ideal for Tollie & Walter to be in a home with people who are around most of the time. Plan on sharing your sofa and bedroom with them.  They have one another for company if you need to be away for a few hours. But they will be lonely if they had to be on their own for 8-10 hours a day. If you work that much away from home, it's not an ideal match for them. Ideally, Tollie & Walter will thrive in a home where humans love being home and want two constant companions. They are wired to be your sidekicks, and they will give you loyalty for life. They are truly Animal Saints!     Love and Commitment  At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families.  With this in mind, we seek adopters who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical needs.  We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish.  Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application! October 11, 2026, 12:58 am

Backstory for Matthew Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender involving several Imperial Shih Tzu. Their former person was having emergency medical issues that were life threatening, and they were not well enough to take care of them. Our nonprofit became the safety net for these incredible Shih Tzu.  Our nonprofit is here to help so the Animal Saints do not end up in overcrowded government animal control facilities that euthanize due to lack of space. Matthew recently arrived to our sanctuary to get all of the medical care he needs. Now that we have gotten to know his personality and he has shown us what he needs in a family, he is ready to be placed in his lifetime home. We look forward to finding out who this will be!  Get to Know Matthew  Name: Matthew Cuthbert, named after one of the sweetest characters in the book called “Anne of Green Gables.” Matthew is shy, empathetic, sweet, and especially loyal — just like his namesake character. age: 3 years young with a birthdate of 6/30/2023 breed: Shih Tzu weight: 7 pounds Vaccines:  Rabies  DHPP Bordetella  Corona/flu  Other Tests and Procedures:  Neutered in June, 2026 Snap 4Dx test (passed and tested negative for heart worm, lyme, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis)   Dental cleaning in June, 2026  Bloodwork June, 2026 - Shows healthy organs with nothing concerning.  Additional procedures and treatments:  • Microchipped • Fecal test, negative • Flea/tick preventive treatment, heart worm prevention, and dewormer  • First positive reinforcement training sessions  • Several baths and grooms   A good health certificate and certificate of veterinary inspection will be provided with his medical records. Requested adoption donation fee is only $800. This is to partly cover the costs of care that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue has incurred. On average, Animal Saints’ cost to save a life through our nonprofit exceeds $2,000 per Saint. We do our best to keep our adoption requests as reasonable as possible to encourage more people to adopt.   Breed and Hair Notes  Matthew has hair and not fur. He is a very rare Imperial Shih Tzu with rare chocolate hues. Matthew is full grown and very small, one of the smallest male Shih Tzu we have helped.  PLEASE NOTE: Matthew’s hair will grow as it is not fur. He will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Matthew was nervous about baths when he first arrived. Now that he’s trusting us and understands we are taking care of him, he wags his tail on the grooming table and loves to be brushed.  His hair is GORGEOUS. Someone who loves and respects the longer hair of Shih Tzu will love tending to his locks in lieu of a buzz cut. He’ll be cute in any length, but his hair is worthy of enjoying and appreciating!  Personality Matthew was one of the shyest Animal Saints who arrived in this owner surrender. It took him weeks before he felt like he could come and ask to get up in our laps. He’s still hesitant around new people. Once he understands he can trust someone, his hesitation quickly turns into a desire to connect. Once he decides he can trust, he asks to get picked up for hugs.  Matthew gives some of the best hugs we have ever received from an Animal Saint. He was one of many where he used to live. Now, he’s getting lots of attention, and he’s making up for lost time. He leans into hugs so intently and lovingly. He wants to stay there for as long as the human can hold him. He is such a dear, dear boy.  Because of Matthew’s current hesitancies and skittish behavior, his new family needs to be mindful that he will need to be given time to learn to trust and settle in. He is a flight risk, at this point. With this in mind, he will need a very secure fence for going outside, as well as honing his loose leash training skills before taking a successful and safe walk. As his confidence builds, these hesitancies will dissipate.  Please keep in mind that Matthew is very small — smaller than a standard size Shih Tzu. Extra care needs to be taken to keep him safe when he is around other canines and out in the world.  Matthew is learning foundational skills training. We are working on “sit,” recall word “here,” “bed/place” and “look.” We expect his new family to continue training sessions with a professional and certified positive reinforcement trainer to keep him safe in his new life. These classes are a requirement for his adoption. Watch Matthew learn how to sit in one of his training sessions in his short film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YBf89rhmrw Despite being very camera shy, he starts to have fun, and he is so eager to please! Ideal Home Matthew needs to be in a quiet and laidback home with no young children. He has gained so much confidence since coming into our care, given the quietude and stability our sanctuary gives to the Saints so they can recuperate. He needs a calm and stable environment to really allow him to flourish.  Matthew would be happiest in a home where his people are around most of the time. A remote work setup or a very active retiree is ideal. Matthew cannot be left alone by himself for 8-10 hours a day while his humans are away. Some can handle it, but Matthew is not one of them. He is a Shih Tzu and wired to want to be someone’s companion. This is his goal in life.  Matthew is the kind of boy who gains confidence from being around other canines. He follows their cues and is much more outgoing because of them. With this in mind, it is ideal for him to have canine siblings or friends outside the home that he would see every day. His littermate named Marilla Cuthbert is available for adoption as well. They are practically twins and would be great sidekicks for one another. It is not a must, but this built-in companionship makes for a great transition into a lifetime home.  More than anything, Matthew needs his humans to love him because of his initial shyness, not in spite of it. He needs abundant empathy and kindness to meet him where he’s at in his recuperation while he comes out of his shell. With just a bit of patience, his humans are going to have the most loyal and loving Animal Saint, ready to give award worthy hugs.  Love and Commitment  At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families.  With this in mind, we seek adopters who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical needs.  We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish.  Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application! October 11, 2026, 12:58 am

Backstory for Marilla Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender involving several “Imperial” Shih Tzu. Their former person was having emergency medical issues that were life threatening, and they were not well enough to take care of them. Our nonprofit became the safety net for these incredible Shih Tzu.  Our nonprofit is here to help so the Animal Saints do not end up in overcrowded government animal control facilities that euthanize due to lack of space. Marilla recently arrived to our sanctuary to get all of the medical care she needs. Now that we have gotten to know her personality and she has shown us what she needs in a family, she is ready to be placed in her lifetime home. We look forward to finding out who this will be!  Get to Know Marilla  Name: Marilla Cuthbert, named after one of the most impressive women characters in the book called “Anne of Green Gables.” Marilla is especially loyal to those she trusts and loves — just like her namesake character. age: 3 years young with a birthdate of 6/30/2023 breed: Shih Tzu weight: 7.5 pounds Vaccines:  Rabies  DHPP Bordetella  Corona/flu  Other Tests and Procedures:  Spayed in June, 2026 Snap 4Dx test (passed and tested negative for heart worm, lyme, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis)   Dental cleaning in June, 2026  Bloodwork June, 2026 - Shows healthy organs with nothing concerning.  Additional procedures and treatments:  • Microchipped • Fecal test, negative • Flea/tick preventive treatment, heart worm prevention, and dewormer  • First positive reinforcement training sessions  • Several baths and grooms   A good health certificate and certificate of veterinary inspection will be provided with her medical records. Requested adoption donation fee is only $800. This is to partly cover the costs of care that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue has incurred. On average, Animal Saints’ cost to save a life through our nonprofit exceeds $2,000 per Saint. We do our best to keep our adoption requests as reasonable as possible to encourage more people to adopt.   Breed and Hair Notes  Marilla has hair and not fur. She is a very rare “Imperial” Shih Tzu with rare chocolate hues. “imperial” is a word used to describe Shih Tzu under 9 pounds but is not officially recognized to the American Kennel Club.  Marilla is full grown and very small, one of the smallest female Shih Tzu we have helped.  PLEASE NOTE: Marilla’s hair will grow as it is not fur. She will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Marilla was very frightened about her baths when she first arrived. Now that she trusts us, she appreciates the care and attention. She is great on the grooming table!  Marilla’s hair is truly stunning and rare. Someone who loves and respects the longer hair of Shih Tzu will love tending to her long locks in lieu of a buzz cut. We are looking to find a family who will honor her Shih Tzu traits and will love trading care of her longer hair.  Personality Marilla is the shyest Animal Saint who arrived in the large owner surrender we helped this summer. It took her many weeks before she felt like she could safely come and ask to get up in our laps. She is still especially hesitant around new people. She appreciates people who give her space initially. Then, she’s ready to engage.  Marilla is the kind of girl who lets the other fosters in the sanctuary move to the front of the line for attention. She stands behind them all, waiting for her turn to get attention, rather than pushing to the front of the line. As she gains confidence, we see her becoming part of the group with tail wagging and an eagerness to get picked up for a hug.  Marilla’s favourite thing to do is to get picked up, held, and taken to a quiet corner of the sanctuary. She will sit in the lap of her favourite volunteer for as long as they are able to sit. She prefers calmness and quietude, rather than a playful boisterous vibe.  Once Marilla trusts her chosen people, she is ardently devoted and loyal to them. She is eager to please, and she learned to “sit” and the recall word “here” before most of the other fosters in our sanctuary. She really started to connect to the humans here through these training sessions. They are an invaluable way to connect. We expect her new family to continue training sessions with a professional and certified positive reinforcement trainer to keep her safe in her new life. These classes are a requirement for her adoption and should be started during the first days after her adoption day.  Because of Marilla’s current hesitancies and skittish behavior, her new family needs to be mindful that she will need to be given time to learn to trust and settle in. Just like her brother Matthew, Marilla is a flight risk, at this point. With this in mind, she will need a very secure fence for going outside, as well as honing her loose leash training skills before taking a successful and safe walk. She is still uncertain about going outside in our small fenced-in courtyard. She will follow her brother Matthew out, then promptly run inside to potty on a pad. We see this changing over time, but know this is where she is at in her recuperation. The outdoors is a new and unpredictable thing for her. As her confidence grows, we know she will eventually feel safe outside. She needs a family who will respect where she’s at in coming out of her shell.  Please keep in mind that Marilla is very small — smaller than a standard size Shih Tzu. Extra care needs to be taken to keep her safe when she is around other canines and out in the world.  Watch Marilla enjoy spending time in our sanctuary: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1228634594 Marilla is quiet, observant, and quite agile. She can fly up on our sanctuary sofas with ease! She learned how to jump on her own, and she is quite proud of her abilities. It is so special to see her wag her tail after seeing her so frightened when she first arrived. Ideal Home Marilla needs to be in a quiet and laidback home with no very young children. Only older and especially empathetic and kind children will be considered.  Marilla has gained so much confidence since coming into our care, given the quietude and stability our sanctuary gives to the Saints so they can recuperate. She needs a calm and stable environment to really allow her to flourish. She is NOT a candidate for an urban life with daily walks to a park while passing other humans and canines she does not know. She is in want of a quiet country life. Marilla will be happiest in a home where her people are around most of the time. A remote work setup or a very active retiree is ideal. Marilla should not be left alone for 8-10 hours a day while her humans are away. Some can handle it, but Marilla is most definitely not one of them. She is a Shih Tzu and wired to want to be someone’s companion. This is her goal in life.  Just like her brother Matthew, Marilla is the kind of girl who gains confidence from being around other canines. She follows their cues and is much more outgoing because of them. With this in mind, it is ideal for her to have a canine sibling or siblings. Her littermate named Matthew Cuthbert is available for adoption as well. They are practically twins and would be great sidekicks for one another.  We are giving preference to adopters who are all in on adopting them together. Their built-in companionship makes for a great transition into a lifetime home for them both. More than anything, Marilla needs her humans to love her because of her initial shyness, not in spite of it. Just like her brother Matthew! She needs abundant empathy and kindness to meet her where she’s at in her recuperation while she comes out of her shell. With just a bit of patience, her humans are going to have the most loyal and loving Animal Saint. Her love is so pure and inspiring.  Love and Commitment  At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families.  With this in mind, we seek adopters who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical needs.  We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish.  Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application! October 11, 2026, 12:58 am