Dorthy

Description

  Don’t let her name fool you—this little lady isn’t an old soul at all! Dorthy is a sweet, hilarious, energetic Shih Tzu with a big personality and an even bigger zest for life. Found as a stray with an extremely matted coat, she had to be shaved down when she entered rescue. But if you think that dampened her confidence for even a second… think again! Dorthy proudly rocks her fresh haircut and struts through life like the diva she is.   Equal parts athlete, comedian, and cuddle bug, Dorthy is always ready for whatever adventure comes next. While she still loves to play and explore, she has really settled into home life and has become the ultimate little companion. She adores being with her people and is happiest curled up in your lap. If she isn’t snuggled on you, you’ll almost certainly find her at your feet or faithfully following along by your side.   She loves to stay close to her people and is always happy to join you for a walk. One of her favorite activities is greeting everyone she meets along the way—she never turns down a few extra pets from new friends! She also rides beautifully in the car and would be thrilled to tag along for dog-friendly outings, coffee runs, patio lunches, or wherever the day takes you. Dorthy hasn’t spent much time around children in foster care, but she certainly seems interested in making friends! On walks, she happily soaks up attention from the neighborhood kids and often tries to circle back for just one more round of pets.   When she’s at home, Dorthy still enjoys having fun. Soft squeaky toys are her absolute favorite, and if she isn’t happily squeaking one around the house, you’ll likely find her working on a twisted bully stick or another favorite chew. She has a playful spirit that keeps everyone smiling, but she also knows how to settle down and is just as content cuddling up beside her favorite people for a cozy afternoon.   Dorthy also surprised her foster family by being wonderfully house-trained! As long as she’s kept on a consistent potty schedule (about every four hours), she does an excellent job. She’s currently learning that spending short periods of time in a crate while her people are away is no big deal but she also does wonderfully if left out to relax on the couch & free roam. She’ll let you know she’d rather come along at first, but after a little protest, she settles in nicely.   At bedtime, Dorthy likes to keep her options open. Some nights she’s happy to snuggle in bed with her humans, and other nights she prefers stretching out in her own fluffy dog bed nearby. She’s independent enough to enjoy her own space while still wanting to be close to the people she loves.   She came into foster care full of puppy like energy but has shown that under that nervous energy, she is a well-mannered, sweet girl. She still has plenty of playful energy, but she now settles beautifully around the house and enjoys relaxing with both her people and her canine friends. She would still benefit from continued positive reinforcement and basic training, but she has blossomed into an incredibly easy and rewarding companion.   Because Dorthy is young, active, and enjoys having a canine friend, she would love a home with another playful dog who can match her enthusiasm. She loves all dog friendly dogs- big or small, and it’s a major bonus if they join her for zoomies!! That said, she would also do okay as an only dog if someone is home with her a lot and her family is excited to make her the center of their world.   If you’re looking for a funny, affectionate little sidekick who will keep you laughing, happily accompany you wherever you go, and then curl up in your lap at the end of the day, Dorthy is ready to steal your heart.   Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter’s expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.    ***Be sure to check your spam/junk folder as sometimes our emails end up there***