Summer

My story

Shih Tzu 3yo- DOB 09/15/21 14lbs Spayed/Microchipped UTD on vaccinations Current on flea & heartworm prevention Please read the bio in its ENTIRETY. If you feel your family is a perfect match, please send an email to gateway4paws@gmail.com for additional information. Only complete & qualified applications will be considered/contacted. We do not allow shipping & do not transport. You must live within 350 miles from Maryville, IL & able to drive there for a meet and greet. We are a 100% foster-based rescue. Applications & FAQ about our adoption process can be found on our website. Summer came into our program as a breeder release, still pretty young. Her dad is also in our program & featured for adoption on our website, his name is Hershey! (Check him out, too! Wouldn't it be cool if they found a home together.) When Summer came into her foster home, she was a bit spicy. She was confused, she wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not. She was very timid & scared. Boy, has she really changed, she has flourished & bloomed! Once so scared, she willingly goes to her foster mom & seeks companionship & cuddles from her. She will do best in a calm, low activity home. A home that is willing to patiently allow her to adjust & get used to her forever environment. Going into a new home will be another change for Summer, but she is very brave & we know that she will successfully make the transition if given a chance. She will do best learning from other 4-legged siblings, we would like to see her find a home with some friends of similar size & energy level. She follows her foster siblings around, she likes to play with them very gently, no rough housing. She also enjoys chewing on bones & will keep herself content while doing so. In her foster home, she has proven to be 100% house trained. We are so proud of her. With that said, her new family must understand she could have a few accidents until she gets her new routine down. Please be prepared to give her ample opportunity for success, praise her when she does it right, & be patient with her. Summer does great wearing a harness. But that's it. She will wear the harness like a diamond necklace, but she refuses to walk on leash. We know that eventually she will have a breakthrough, but it is not right now! Therefore, for her safety (& for her to be able to do her potty business immediately upon adoption), a secure physical fence yard is required. An aluminum or slat type of fencing will need a gap filler around the bottom half so she can't get through, something like galvanized wire mesh or another sturdy mesh type material. She isn't an outdoor adventure dog; she doesn't need a big yard. But she does need a very secure area to do her potty business. Never EVER should she be left in the yard alone. If you don't have another dog, please consider adopting Hershey & Summer. They get along famously, they love each other! We look forward to matching Summer with her forever family soon!

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Summer, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.