Anderson

Description

Backstory for Anderson Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender. Anderson had supposedly once been used as a breeding dog in the hopes of making some side money. When it did not pan out, they didn’t want him around anymore. Our nonprofit became the safety net for him so he did not end up at an overcapacity animal control facility that euthanizes due to lack of space. It is an honor to help this darling and gentle Animal Saint.  Get to Know Anderson age: 7  breed: Shih Tzu weight: 11.5 pounds Vaccines:  Rabies  DHPP plus lepto Bordetella  Corona/flu  Other Tests and Procedures:  Neutered  4DX test (passed and tested negative for heartworm, lyme, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis)   Dental cleaning with tooth extractions in June, 2026  Bloodwork June, 2026 - Mostly within normal ranges and nothing concerning. Numbers show anemia and slight dehydration due diet and flea infestation before coming into our care. A high quality human grade food is necessary for his lifetime.   A heart murmur was heard during his wellness exam and by two veterinarians. One heard a stronger murmur than the other. The average grade was about 2 out of 6 on the heart murmur scale. Animal Saints went above and beyond and provided him with an X-ray and ECG. This was to make certain he was getting all of the care he needed, and his future people will know how to best be there for him. No enlargement of the heart and no medications are needed. His heart, just as any healthy Animal Saint, will need to be monitored for his lifetime. Good nutrition and exercise are key to keeping his heart healthy. Additional procedures and treatments:  • Microchipped • Flea/tick preventive treatment, heartworm prevention, and dewormer  • First positive reinforcement training sessions  • Several baths and grooms  A good health certificate will be provided with his medical records. Requested adoption donation fee is only $800. This is to partly cover the costs of care that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue has incurred. On average, Animal Saints’ cost to save a life through our nonprofit exceeds $2,000 per Saint. We do our best to keep our adoption requests as reasonable as possible to encourage more people to adopt.   Breed and Hair Notes  Anderson has hair and not fur. He is considered a rare and prized “liver” hued Shih Tzu, seen in the color of his nose and soft brown hues in his hair. PLEASE NOTE: Anderson’s hair will grow as it is not fur. He will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Anderson is gentle and incredible in the bathtub and on the grooming table. He appreciates being taken care of, and he is patient through the entire process.  Personality Anderson is a laidback and gentle gent. He shows excitement through a little jig and a wagging tail, but he quickly eases into his mainstay calm and quiet demeanor. His soulful eyes had sadness in them when he first arrived, and we are quickly seeing it fade as each day passes here in our sanctuary. He feels safe and loved, and he is finding joy in life.  Anderson has met every Animal Saint here with a gentle and kind greeting. He lets the more exuberant Saints push in front of him while he waits for dinnertime and attention from the humans. He loves nothing more than getting picked up and cuddled for a hug. He gives gentle kisses while he gets rocked in his favorite sanctuary chair.  Anderson is incredibly gentle around all humans. He is not the kind of Saint who will run up to every stranger with ease and glee — at least not yet. But he has the interest of wanting to be friends. He might be shy at first, but he comes around quickly once trust is established. We expect that as his confidence grows in his lifetime home, he will enjoy meeting new people with greater eagerness.  Anderson is the kind of boy who wants a person, and that person will be his world. He will be all in and completely devoted to them. He is yearning for that connection, and we look forward to finding an ideal match who will give this to him.  Anderson has had his first training sessions. He reliably knows “sit” and “look.” He also knows the recall word “here.” We expect his family to pick up where we have started in his training.  Basic foundational skills training sessions with a certified professional positive reinforcement trainer are required for Anderson’s adoption. Just a few classes are needed, and they are fun. It’s an excellent way to connect with your newly adopted Saint, too.  You can enjoy seeing Anderson in one of his training sessions in this short film: https://vimeo.com/1204695116 Ideal Home It is ideal for Anderson to be in a home with people who are around most of the time. He will especially thrive in a home that can give him companionship day and night. If you set him up with puzzles when you need to run errands for a couple of hours, he should be content until you return.  Older children are case by case — only those who have experience living with dogs, understand dog behavior, and have great respect and love for them will be considered.  Anderson appreciates the company of other dogs. It is not a requirement for him to have siblings, but he will enjoy the friendship of other dogs in his life. Dog walking friends, perhaps, would be right up Anderson’s alley.  Plan on sharing your sofa and bedroom with Anderson. He will want to be by your side, no matter where you are and what you are doing. Please, no crates for Anderson. If they are a must for your lifestyle, then Anderson is not for you.  If you have a very secure fenced-in backyard or outdoor space where he can bound about safely outside, this would be ideal.  Anderson will enjoy going for walks, provided they are not long hikes. He is getting comfortable in  a harness and leash. Once you have a walking routine established, we can see him loving it and looking forward to them daily.  Love and Commitment  At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families.  With this in mind, we seek adopters who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical needs.  We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish.  Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application!