"Second Chance"

A Complimentary

Monthly Newsletter

February 2025 / V15



Why Shop When You Can Adopt!

- A Second Chance for the Innocent

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Featured Monthly Articles:


--Canine Community:


A Valentine's Day Card From Your Dog!


If your dog could send you a Valentine's Day card, what would it say? How many of us when searching for cards for our loved ones also get cards from our dogs to give? Below are some fun ideas of what a card from yor dog would say as quoted on the website "The Dodo":


  • You're the fur-ry best mom ever - life would be ruff without you!
  • I Woof you to the moon and back!
  • If they lined up all of the chew toys in the world, I would CHEWS you!
  • You're the best pet parent ever, fur-real, no bones about it!
  • You're a re-bark-able person!
  • You're simply paw-fect!


Here's to saying "I love you Valentine" in their own special way :)


Happy Valentine's Day to all - you are all so a-dog-able!

--Safety Tip of the Month:

Dental Care for Dogs


February is national pet dental month. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) created this month to raise awareness of the importance of dental health in pets. Below are some tips and facts to keep your pets' smile healthy:


  • Dental disease is very common in dogs - about 80% of dogs have dental disease by the age of 3;
  • Cavities are rare in dogs, they do not normally get cavities because they do not consume as much sugar as humans;
  • Dog treats can help with digestive and dental health, treats can remove plaque, improve their immune system and freshen breath;
  • Human toothpaste can be toxic to dogs - never use human toothpaste!


Enjoy sweeter smelling kisses with the proper dental care!

--Our Featured Valentine:

Lily Belle


"You are the closest I will ever come to magic....no bones about it!"


Thinking about love and magic and what you can do to really make this Valentine's Day different and more special than any other, then look no further! Lily Belle is waiting to make your Valentine's Day the best ever, and as you might imagine, hers as well. This sweet girl is beyond ready for her forever home. Adorable Lily Belle is all that a wonderful, little Shih Tzu girl should be. Make your heart sing, and feel that you have really defined love this year! 


 We know you may have trepidation because she is blind, but being blind is different in a dog's world than it is in humans. I can empathise because our little male, Fluff Daddy (formerly Romeo) came to us with one eye but a year later suffered severe eye pressure and a subsequent major infection from glaucoma. As a result he lost the second eye and is not only blind, but has no eyes. He is still handsome and as cute as a button though. Because of all his fluffy hair, you'd hardly know the difference. He still loves to take long walks (often with a cute prancing run), cuddle in our laps, and is a normal active 15 yr old Shih Tzu boy.


 Lily Belle is bright, very engaging, and full of character. This amazing beauty was neglected, and at some point, surrendered to another shelter. She was very matted, had fleas, and had limited, if any, vision. From that shelter, she was adopted about 1-2 years ago, but then surrendered again, this time due to financial hardship and was brought to Shih Tzu Rescue. Lily Belle is about 8 1/2 years old and 13 pounds. Other than her eyes, she is in good health. This resilient, darling girl, after being neglected and moved from home to home, especially being blind, certainly deserves a safe, stable, loving home, for the first time in her life. She is fantastic!


Make this Valentine's Day different and special by making this little girl yours and bringing about much more love than a box of chocolates, roses, or all of the "typical" and fleeting Valentine sentiments. Lily Belle is a gift that keeps on giving, and at the same time you can give her the gift of a loving forever home.


If this message pulls at your heartstrings on Valentine's Day or any day, take a look at Lily Belle's video on our website and fill out an application.


Article by: Peggy Doepper

We Stand Corrected!


Olivia - December Dog of the Month Article Correction:


We must make a correction to last month's article on Olivia, our dog of the month's adoption. We mistakenly posted that Olivia was adopted by the nurse who fostered her during her recovery. Olivia was adopted by the "Doctor" who performed her surgery and fostered her during her recovery.


We sincerely apologize for this misstatement!

January Adoption News!!


We have two bonded pair adoptions in January to feature this month:


1) "Geneva & Mira", two sweet bonded pair Shih Tzu girls were adopted by a great new mom!




2) "Jim & Judy " our two senior dogs who are different breeds got adopted! It is difficult to get bonded pairs adopted, especially senior dogs and add another obstacle of being different breeds! This adoption we categorize as a "Miracle".


We are thrilled and excited! Many thanks to all of you who supported these precious dogs while they were in our care!

Testimonials & Memorials


We have two memorials to share with you this month!.


Please send us your testimonials & memorials. We'd love to hear from you! Did you know that you could memorialize your pup with a star? Click on the link below to buy a star for a wonderful lasting memory.

Rainbow Bridge Stars


Memorials:

Monty


We are very sad to tell you that we lost our sweet Monty at 18 years old. He was our first of several adoptions from you and was a very special baby. We love you for finding him for us.


XXX

Audrey and Jim

Jeffrey


Dear Harriet,

It was wonderful speaking to you the other day. You brought Jeffrey into our lives and we are forever grateful. We cannot believe he is gone. We want to thank you for the wonderful work you do and the dedication it takes. Please accept our donation in Jeffrey's memory.


Jerry & Vicki Dagen

--Why Donate?


Do It For Love!


February is a month for love and we all love our dogs! Our shelter dogs need love too. Your donation will send bundles of love to our pups and help to keep them healthy and fed. Your reward will be unconditional love given back to you!


It is so rewarding to see the change in each dog once fed, treated and loved! Won't you help us be a part of their success.... Please do not let us disappear.


Did you know you can also support us on Chewy.com by purchasing supplies from our wish list?

Love Donations
Chewy.com


Did you know?

- Fun dog trivia facts to ponder:


  • Some dogs can learn over 1,000 words;
  • Some dogs can be taught to count and solve simple math problems;
  • Dogs are born with different blood types, there are 7 different types that a dog can have;
  • The Bible mentions dogs over 35 times;
  • Chihuahua puppies are born with a soft spot on their skull like human babies.


--Do you have fun trivia facts to share? E-mail us and we will feature them in our newsletter next month.

E-mail all trivia facts & birthdays to: loyalk9@icloud.com

Birthday Shout-Outs:


Does your fur baby have a birthday in the month of January? If so let us know and we will give a birthday shout-out in our next monthly newsletter.



Happy 11th Birthday Tiger Lily!

Shih Tzu Rescue - About Us

Shih Tzu Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity devoted to rescuing and finding quality lifetime homes for Shih Tzu's and other small, medium and large companion dogs in South Florida. We are a "no kill" shelter and sanctuary housing dogs with special needs and who have not yet been adopted. The shelter and sanctuary was established in 1995 by Eric and Harriet Rickenback, a couple passionate about giving a second chance for the innocent!


Won't you become a part of our family by adopting a senior and/or special needs dog. If you cannot adopt please consider sponsoring a dog by sending in a recurring donation. You will be rewarded with licks & wags!


Please note - there is no donation too small!

Please pass us along - the more the merrier.


"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated"! ..Mahatma Gandhi


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February Fun Facts


Here are some dog-related holidays in February 2025:


  • International Tug of Way Day: February 19
  • National Walk Your Dog Day: February 22
  • International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day: February 23
  • World Spay Day: The Last Tuesday of February


Our Sponsors:


10% Off First Time Boarders

15% Off Anyone who has adopted a dog from us for the life of the dog

Miracle Acres Kennel


~Boating Safety ~ Lost Pet Guides

~Emergency Protection Tips & Downloand

~Fur-ever Planning Tools


Plan ahead of time to keep our tail waggers out of shelters!

LCYC

Quote of the Month:


"Be the person your dog thinks you are!"

--C.J. Frick