Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Story
Meet Theola: Think of her as a houseplant that waters your soul—low-maintenance, calming to have around, and happiest in a sunny spot next to her favorite human. She’s the perfect blend of independence and affection; she won’t demand your undivided attention every waking moment; she’s perfectly content lounging on the couch like a sentient marshmallow who occasionally leans in for a snuggle.
At 12 years young and a perfectly portable 15 pounds, this little Shih Tzu mix arrived to rescue through no fault of her own. Life dealt her a heartbreak she didn’t deserve: her owner passed away, and she and her friend Bob ended up in the shelter. Staff held onto the hope that family would appear for them… but no one ever came. So we welcomed this gentle soul into rescue, and she arrived with a few battle scars from neglect and time. A skin infection had caused her hair loss, and her ears were dealing with some impressively unpleasant infections—think “spa day needed ASAP.” With proper meds and TLC, her skin is healing beautifully, her ears are feeling worlds better, and we fully expect her adorable coat to grow back in soon. Through everything, Theola has remained the sweetest, softest-hearted little comfort creature you could ever hope to meet, and takes her meds like a champ and doesn't give her foster any resistance when it comes to bath time.
When it comes to other dogs, Theola treats them the same way you treat strangers at the grocery store who try to talk to you before you’ve had caffeine: not rude, not hostile… but absolutely not accepting invitations for conversation. She minds her business, expects everyone else to mind theirs, and if a dog gets a little too bold, she gives them the senior-citizen side-eye that translates to, “Sweetie, no. Not today.” As for cats? Honestly, she’d likely extend them the same energy-efficient diplomacy. Theola’s philosophy is simple: “If you leave me alone, we shall coexist like two exhausted coworkers waiting for the elevator.” No chasing, no drama, just peaceful mutual avoidance. When it comes to kids, Theola has no interest in being the emotional support animal for sticky hands or loud giggles. She met an eleven-year-old once. He pet her. She blinked. That was the entire storyline. But let’s be honest—she is twelve years old, missing some fur, and very much over life’s chaos. She will happily coexist with calm, older children who understand personal boundaries. Toddlers, however, operate like unpredictable Roombas with jam on their faces, and Theola would simply opt out. As for meeting new people, Theola handles it with all the enthusiasm of someone hearing a distant doorbell during a nap: she’ll lift her head, squint, and evaluate whether the human seems worthy of mild curiosity. She’s not sprinting across the room or doing backflips for attention, but if someone approaches with gentle hands and respectful energy, she’ll graciously accept the pets like the dignified dowager queen she is. In short, Theola is not here to party, referee, babysit, or perform. She is here to be adored
If Theola had an energy rating, she’d be a solid Level 1. She lives her life at the peaceful pace of a woman who has earned her right to move slowly, sigh dramatically, and ignore anything that doesn’t involve snacks or soft bedding. In the car, Theola is the definition of a dream travel buddy—quiet, calm, and lets you play whatever music you want because she is, above all else, merciful. As for walking? Theola is not training for any kind of marathon. Or half-marathon. Or 5K. Or brisk walk. She enjoys a gentle neighborhood stroll—the kind where you admire a few flowers, judge a few lawn decorations, and head back home before either of you breaks a sweat. Anything longer, faster, or ambitious will earn you the side-eye. Adventure-wise, Theola is solidly Team Homebody. She is your Netflix-and-chill elder queen, here for cozy evenings, light snuggling, and absolutely no interest in climbing mountains or mingling at dog-friendly breweries. She’s not a lap dog, not yet anyway—more of a “place a bed near you so she can supervise your choices” kind of companion. Temperament-wise, she is a professional bed-hopper. She may not have the oomph to hop onto the couch, but she will rotate through every dog bed in the house like she’s rating them on Yelp. She is calm, gentle, observant, peaceful, and the exact kind of soul who could melt hearts in a retirement home or therapy setting. Her favorite activities? Treat time and nap time, preferably in that order. She is unapologetically committed to both. Toys? Hard pass. Fetch? Absolutely not. Anything involving effort? She laughed. And as for home requirements—yard, no yard, apartment, duplex, castle tower, studio loft—none of it matters. As long as her dog bed is present, Theola will simply materialize like magic.
Theola is fully potty-trained. Crates? She has not been kenneled here. At her age, she’s earned the right to the soft bed, the cushy blanket, and her own senior-living layout—no prison cells needed, thank you. Chewing? No. Mischief? Also no. Destruction? Absolutely not. Theola does not engage in such youthful nonsense. She is far too busy cycling through her dog beds like she’s testing mattress firmness for a consumer report. Her barking style could best be described as “peer pressure participant.” If another dog barks, she’ll toss in a single courtesy woof just to be included. Otherwise, she’s quieter than a librarian doing yoga. When you’re gone, she remains perfectly content on a dog bed—no redecorating, no drama, no existential crisis. She simply waits for you like the world’s most patient, fluffy roommate. And because her time with us has mostly been spent recovering from skin issues, baths, meds, and ear cleanings, her personality is still unfolding like a slow, senior-citizen butterfly. The glimpses we’ve seen include some gentle playfulness and a truly elite ability to accept meds, grooming, ear care, and nail trims like an absolute pro. She is, at her core, the kind of companion dog who behaves like a cat: independent, dignified, calm, and mildly judgmental, yet still ready to adore you in her quiet, cozy way.
So if you’re ready to welcome the softest, sleepiest, most delightfully unimpressed little queen into your life, go ahead and fill out that adoption app for her—yes, the actual application at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app, not the mental one you just whispered to yourself. Once it’s submitted, we’ll send it straight to her foster family, and if approved, you can pick up Her Royal Bed-Hopping Highness in Broken Arrow, OK.
Go on. Adopt the senior icon. Your dog beds have never deserved someone this fabulous.