"Second Chance"

A Complimentary

Monthly Newsletter

October 2024 / V11

Why Shop When You Can Adopt!

- A Second Chance for the Innocent

Featured Monthly Articles:

--Canine Community:

"October is Adopt A Shelter Dog Month!"

"Every day in the United States 10,000 human babies are born, while 70,000 puppies and kittens are born" --The Human Society

~~Helping Millions of Shelter Dogs Find Their Forever Homes.

The Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) have been celebrating October as "Adopt A Shelter Dog Month" since 1981. As we celebrate this month we must give tribute to the founder of America's first animal shelter, Mrs. Caroline Earl White. Mrs. White and a group of 30 female animal rights activists formed the "Women's Humane Society" in 1869 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Society's initial mission was centered on the humane treatment of carriage horses on the streets. After successfully advocating for humane treatment of horses, the women turned their attention to smaller domestic animals.

To learn more about the history of this month and the creation of animal shelters in American click on the link below and scroll down to "History of Adopt A Shelter Month".

(Any ads shown on the website below are not endorsed by the shelter. Shih Tzu Rescue does not receive any compensation from websites or ads)

History of Animal Shelters

--Safety Tip of the Month:

The 3/3/3 Rule for Adopting a New Dog

In order to have a successful adoption we recommend you download our chart on the 3/3/3 guideline for introducing a new dog into your home and your life:

3 days - most dogs are likely to feel scared, untrusting and somewhat depressed when taken from familiar surroundings. They will often not eat or drink for a few days and try to hide. Understanding their fears and giving them time & space to adapt will benefit both you and your new tail wagger.
3 weeks - your pup is feeling more settled, however, he/she will start testing their boundaries. Time for basic training.
3 months - trust, understanding daily routines and bonding is happening!

Adoption requires a lot of time and patience, but it is so worth it!

3/3/3 Rule Chart

--Featured Dog of the Month: Gracie Mae

Little Gracie Mae is around 6 years old, and honestly if you watch the video you will fall in love. Gracie, like my very first ShihTzu rescued, was the victim of deplorable conditions for the first part of her life. Used and abused by a puppy mill type breeder, never knowing kindness, bright sunshine and a beautiful walk or any kind of loving attention. She was used as a method of pumping out one litter after another. Yet, this beautiful little girl has adapted so well to the open arms of the folks here at Shih Tzu Rescue. Six years young and about 10 lbs, she is welcoming and loves cuddles, lap time, leash walks and the pleasure of being outside. Gracie Mae is also good with other dogs, has good energy and is now in very good condition. Take a look at her profile and video, and like me, you will be smitten with this sweet female. If it's not the right time to adopt her, think about making a donation to the extensive and expensive care that was needed when Gracie was first rescued. Your donations are always appreciated. She was also recently on our Facebook page if you'd like to discover her there.

~~~Article by: Peggy Doepper

Gracie Mae

Breaking Adoption News!!

Welcome "Domino" to our family! He is our third adopted dog from the shelter and joins his older sister Amber. My husband and I adopted "Bigelow" 8 years ago who we lost last November. We wanted to adopt another male dog similar to Bigelow. We saw Domino on the website and made an appointment to meet him. That was all it took, we took him home that day. We are a 2 dog family again!

Testimonials & Memorials

Instead of a "Testimonial" this month we have another sweet "Memorial" to share with you.

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.

In Memoriam

Our beloved Shih Tzu Mick, sadly passed over the rainbow bridge in 2019. He was the sweetest boy and he loved everyone, humans and other dogs alike. We miss him every day!

Mick is memorialized by a "Star" on the Shih Tzu Rescue website.

~~Nancy Bauer

Rainbow Bridge Stars

--Why Donate?

Rescue Dogs:

Rescue dogs have often been abused and/or mistreated. Many have health issues that require specialty vet care. They often lack confidence and need to learn to love again. It takes a lot of time and patience and volunteers to get the dogs to learn to trust. The hard part of all of this is money - it takes money to feed the dogs, to get them healthy, get them groomed and give them a safe place to sleep. It also takes money to maintain the facilities, pay the utility bills, take care of the grounds and pay for our hard working employees.

Won't you please help us out this special "Adopt a Shelter Dog" month - if you cannot adopt please donate toward another dog's adoption.

Suggested donation amounts only - we are grateful for any amount!

$25 - a bag of food
$50 - beds & supplies
$100 - veterinary care

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?

Adoption Month Donations

Chewy.com

Monthly Trivia Fun:

--What sense are puppies born without?

--Do you have a question that you would like answered? E-mail us and we'll feature your question and the answer.

Last month's trivia quiz answer: A dog's nose is as unique as a human fingerprint. Congratulations to our winners:

--Debbie Shapiro

--Michelle Aaron

Thanks to all who participated in the trivia quiz - hopefully you all enjoy the challenge!

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

Birthday Shout-Outs:

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

Birthday Shout-outs:

Amber Moran - October 15th she will be 11 (we think)

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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