"Second Chance"

A Complimentary

Monthly Newsletter

May 2025 / V17

Why Shop When You Can Adopt!

- A SecondChance for the Innocent

Featured Monthly Articles:

--Canine Community:

A Mother's Day Tribute from the Dog:

Dear Mom,

This month features your special day, but honestly every day feels like a celebration with you. I want to take a moment to say thank you for everything that you do for me. You give me belly rubs, treats and snuggles. You give me love even when I track mud into the house or leave you special surprises. I love all of our little routines, our walks and the times you sneak me a treat when no one is looking. You are my rock, my protector and my best friend. Thank you mom for being the best human mom that I could ever wish for. You are my family and I will always be by your side to give you unconditional love and protection.

With all of my tail wags and wet nose kisses,

Your Dog

Fun Mother's Day Card Front Ideas:

Happy Mother's Day! I love you, but I love food more;
I love you mom, I promise to be on my best behavior today...maybe;
Happy Mother's Day Mom! I made you breakfast, but I ate it;
Mom You're The Best, Except when Dad gives me treats, then he is the best.

Happy Mother's Day to All of the Fur Baby Mom's Out There!

--Safety Tip of the Month:

Recognizing Arthritis In Your Pet

Arthritis is an irreversible degenerative change to the joints. Many pets suffer from this change as they age. As pet parents it can be difficult to note the subtle changes in our tail waggers who may be suffering from this condition - many pets hide their discomfort. Signs to look for that may indicate your fur baby is suffering from arthritis are:

A pet not wanting to walk as far or long distances;
A previously playful pet not wanting to play as much, decreased activity;
Difficulty going up and down stairs;
Limping or uneven distribution of weight;
Changes in getting up or down.

Recognizing changes in our pets early is the key to keeping them comfortable and out of pain. There are many treatments available that can keep our pets mobile for as long as possible. Be sure and contact your veterinarian at the first sign of mobility changes to come up with a treatment plan.

Beware of Lost Pet Scams!

Wow - when we saw this warning posted by another shelter we felt we had to re-post it to warn our followers.

--Our Featured Fur Baby:

Chloe Rae

Chloe Rae is Ready for Mother's Day!

Chloe Rae is a sweet Shih Tzu girl, approx. 8 years young and a petite at 10-11 lbs. To us, she looks like she is smiling, and please let us know what you think when you look at her photos and video. She is friendly and ready to start her new life. What better day than Mother's Day??? Four years ago we brought our Afi (Afonia) home on this special day, and he was 9 years old at the time. What a great joy, and an easy to remember "gotcha date".

This little miss has a charming personality and a pleasant, easy going demeanor. She's a snuggler for a nice lap, gives and receives affection readily and will even give a few kisses. At the same time, at eight years old, she is still quite playful and will enjoy a leash walk.

Did we mention how pretty she is? A beige and white beauty with a lovely coat and bright eyes. Perfect, right? So think about being a "MOM" or Dad to this sweet girl and how this can be your best Mother's Day ever with the addition of Chloe and giving her the "forever home" that she deserves. I don't know about you, but my husband and I refer to ourselves as Mommy and Daddy to both of our Shih Tzu's (both from Shih Tzu Rescue and both seniors) because really if you do this right, that's exactly who you are.

Happy Mother's Day, and don't forget to check out sweet little Chloe on our website, watch her video to the end, and fill out an application. She will absolutely captivate you!

Article by: Peggy Doepper

Click to see Chloe Rae's Video

NEW!

Click on the YouTube tab below to see videos for all of our available shelter dogs in one place!

--Shelter News:

--Featured Adoption:

Our special adoption feature this month is a miracle come true!

Our beautiful English Bulldog, Hope, was adopted by two new mommies who fell in love with her at first sight. Hope is a sweet, wonderful, loving girl who waited for her forever home for too long. She was passed up many times for the smaller fluffy dogs. However, she now has a wonderful new home of her own, and also has a new sister, Stevie, a French Bulldog. Congratulations Hope, your best days are ahead of you.

Many thanks to all of you who helped to support this precious dog while she was in our care!

--Testimonials & Alumni Alerts:

Please send us your testimonials and alumni pictures - we would love to hear from you!

Alumni Alert!

Forrest, with his sister Journee in the background (also a STR Alumni), is doing spectacularly in his new home. Forrest came to STR with a group of other terriers, stuffed in a small wire cage from a horrific hoarding situation. Forrest arrived terribly shy, and had never had any human interaction before coming to the rescue. He slowly gained confidence and learned to trust. An amazing family stepped up and adopted him. He is now getting lots of love and is adored beyond measure.

When we receive alumni photos like this it makes everything we do worthwhile. Thanks Mom for sending us this photo!

Alumni Alert!

Barney and Teddy are hopping by to wish you a beautiful spring ahead. What truly lucky boys these two are to have ended up in a home with parents who love them endlessly. We adore getting photos like this!

--Memorials:

Did you know that you can memorialize your pup on our website by buying a star? Click on the link below to learn more and create a wonderful lasting memory.

Rainbow Bridge Stars

--Birthday Shout-Outs:

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

Oops - we made another mistake we need to correct!

The misspelled Ichi's name on her birthday tribute last month. We incorrectly listed her as Itchy which she is not! Ichi means the number "one" in Japanese, and she is definitely No. 1 with her mom. So sorry Ichi and mom!

--Shelter Needs

Why Donate - To Make A Meaningful Gesture!

Donating to a dog shelter on Mother's Day can be a meaningful gesture for several reasons:

Honoring Compassion - Mothers are viewed as the ultimate symbols of care and compassion. Donating to a dog shelter can be a way to extend that same care and compassion to animals who are in need, especially those who may have been abandoned or are struggling to find a forever loving home;

Celebrating Unconditional Love - Mothers are often associated with giving unconditional love and nurturing. Dogs are known for their loyal and unconditional affection. Making a donation to a shelter is a way to celebrate that bond of love, human and animal;

Making a Positive Impact - Mother's Day is a time to reflect on what we value, and for many people, giving back is a way to show appreciation for what they have.

Meaningful Gift - For some, donating in lieu of a traditional gift can feel more fulfilling. It can be a way to show someone (like your mom) that you respect their values and want to honor them by supporting a cause close to their heart.

Your donations can be a touching way to celebrate the day!

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

Mother's Day Donations

Chewy.com

Did you know?

- Fun dog trivia facts to ponder:

-Dogs have three eyelids;
-The dog game piece in Monopoly is a Scottish Terrier;
-Puggles are a cross between a Pug and a Beagle;
-The Golden Retriever originally came from Scotland;
-The Pekinese is the most famous and revered dog of China.

--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

--May Fun Facts

Here are some dog-related observances in May 2025:

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 its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated"! ..Mahatma Gandhi

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