Clementine

Description

Backstory for Clementine Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender involving several Imperial Shih Tzu. Their former person was having emergency medical issues that were life threatening, and they were not well enough to take care of them. Our nonprofit became the safety net for these incredible Shih Tzu.  Our nonprofit is here to help so the Animal Saints do not end up in overcrowded government animal control facilities that euthanize due to lack of space. Clementine recently arrived to our sanctuary to get all of the medical care she needs. Now that we have gotten to know her personality and she has shown us what she needs in a family, she is ready to be placed in her lifetime home. We look forward to finding out who this will be!  Get to Know Clementine age: 3-4 breed: Shih Tzu weight:  7.5 pounds Vaccines:  Rabies  DHPP Bordetella  Corona/flu  Other Tests and Procedures:  Spayed in June, 2026 Snap 4Dx test (passed and tested negative for heart worm, lyme, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis)   Dental cleaning in June, 2026  Bloodwork June, 2026 - Numbers within normal ranges and nothing concerning.  Additional procedures and treatments:  • Microchipped • Fecal test, negative • Flea/tick preventive treatment, heart worm prevention, and dewormer  • First positive reinforcement training sessions  • Several baths and grooms   A good health certificate will be provided with her 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  Clementine has hair and not fur. She is a very rare Imperial Shih Tzu with liver and cream hues. She is full grown and tiny.  PLEASE NOTE: Clementine’s hair will grow as it is not fur. She 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. Clementine is terrific for baths and grooming. She’s had a few since arriving. She was frightened at first, but now she loves the attention. An adopter who loves to maintain her longer hair is an ideal match.  Personality Clementine is incredibly sweet but incredibly shy. Once she trusts someone, her loyalty, love, and exuberance for life is so impressive and moving. Her eagerness to connect is there, but please note that this connection will take time. It’s possible that it will take a least a couple of visits to our sanctuary before she connects with her new person. If you are an empathetic soul and can completely understand that this will take time with her personality, please keep reading.  It appears that Clementine has not met very many people in her life. She is under socialized and skittish. Because of it, she is a flight risk. Only very securely fenced-in yards will be accepted for her. Do not plan to take her for a walk safely until you’ve completed all of your training classes. She is just getting comfortable being outside; she’s not yet ready for leashed walking. In time, we can see her potentially enjoying it. But it will take time and patience to allow her to gain confidence.  If you live in an urban setting and fall in love with Clementine, please note that it will take weeks and even months before she is comfortable with the sights and sounds of city life. With a very experienced adopter, this could be possible. But we do believe she will be much calmer and happier in a quieter setting.  Clementine gravitates toward hanging out with her sister (from a different litter) named Marigold. She also loves the more laidback matriarchs here in the sanctuary. Clementine learns from the more outgoing Animal Saints here, and she gains confidence by watching them. With this in mind, we see her thriving in a home with other small dogs. In a home as an only dog, the confidence building will take much longer.  Clementine’s favourite spot in the sanctuary is a velvet sofa. As her hair grows out, she’s looking quite regal and is becoming very at ease with her surroundings. She will perch on her pillow and watch everyone intently. When volunteers do office work in her flat, she runs over by them and promptly gets comfortable in a dog bed next to their feet. She’s makes a great assistant! She is very observant and follows humans’ cues well.  Clementine is getting familiar with foundational skills training. We are working on “sit,” recall word “here,” and “look.” We expect her new family to continue her training sessions to keep her safe in her new life with them. Ideal Home It is ideal for Clementine to be in a home with people who are around most of the time. Plan on sharing your sofa and bedroom with her. Once she trusts you, she will want to be by your side, no matter where you are and what you are doing.  She will especially thrive in a home that can give her companionship day and night. She will be okay if you have to be away for a few hours, but only if another Animal Saint or Saints are in your home. She loves her sister Marigold who is also available for adoption. It would be wonderful to find a home for them to live together.  Clementine is very small — smaller than a standard size Shih Tzu. For her safety, she needs to be in a home with dogs who are a similar size.  Clementine is a great traveler and is comfortable in a travel safety carrier or latched in a car harness. But no daytime/nighttime crates for her. If they are a must for your lifestyle, then she is not for you.  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.  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!