STRMN Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota
Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome
Your donation will help
STRMN rescue a Shih Tzu
in need. You may make a
tax deductable donation to
STRMN at P.O. Box 46562,
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
or through our secure
Paypal account. (You do not
have to have a Paypal account
to make a donation)
Shih Tzu Rescue Of Minnesota
P.O. Box 46562
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
www.shihtzurescuemn.org
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RESCUING SINCE
2007!
2024 RESCUE REUNION
The 2024 STRMN Rescue Reunion
Photos are
now available!
CLICK HERE
Visit the STRMN YouTube channel for delightful videos featuring adopters, foster homes and board members.
MEET AND GREET
OUR AVAILABLE DOGS
First Saturday of every month
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Petco Southtown location
7995 Southtown Dr.
Bloomington, MN 55431
(next to the MacDonald's)
[Click HERE for Directions]
THIS IS A MEET & GREET ONLY. WE DO NOT ADOPT OUT DIRECTLY FROM THIS EVENT.
[LEARN MORE]
RESCUING SINCE
2007!
In Memory
STRMN Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true,
to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
~ Author Unknown ~
2024 through Present
Thanks to Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota, Cota was rescued
from a home in North Dakota where he was left outside
year round. At age 2 he was adopted and lived a princely
life to age 16. In his later years he spent the cold months in
Florida where he loved his walks and looking out the lanai.
He was a joy to all!
CODA
Posted: February 2024
MUFFIN
Posted: March 2024
We got our sweet Muffin July 15th, 2015 at the age of 5
years old through Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota. She gave
us so much joy. She wasn’t one to give kisses, and
definitely had a mind of her own. She loved her walks and
meeting people, and she also traveled with us. She always
was there to greet us when we got home from shopping or
wherever we had been, even for short periods of time.
We had our little girl for just 9 years, and she will be
missed for a long time. The house is extremely empty
without her. We want to thank Diane and the rescue for all
the exceptional things they do to find forever homes for
these wonderful dogs.
Mary and Rich H.
KANDI
Posted: April 2024
Kandi, was a fun loving girl, that had a tail that never stopped moving! She was our “happy girl”.
Although she lived in a house with no children, she loved kids, and whenever kids would walk by
our house she was always quick to join them for a walk or play time. Halloween was her favorite
time of the year, she would get her “Witches Hat” clipped into her hair and she would sit by the
door waiting for the kids to come; and after the years the kids would refer to our house as
“Kandi’s House”. Kandi’s constant companion was Tucker, Tucker is the calm to Kandi’s storm
and sass.
Kandi is missed by all who knew and loved her, and especially Kari. Ward, and Tucker!
CHIPPY
Posted: May 2024
In Memory of Chippy March 13, 2024
Chippy came to our rescue as a one year old pup in March 2013. I knew he was special, and had
a very hard time letting him go and not adopting him myself. He was adopted by Sara Hallquist.
They were the perfect match and he was her furry companion for many years. Sadly Chippy
passed away in March 13, 2024. Sara gave Chippy such a good life: he was on the go, paddle
boarding and going on all kinds of excursions and adventures. He even had his own instagram:
Sara said this: "I am thankful that his last hour was with me. He has been such a blessing and a
gift to me. The pain and grief is immense, but I would not trade it for anything as he brought me
so much joy."
We miss you Chippy!
Tanya, Brian and Truman Van Beeck
SAMMY
Posted: July 2024
Sammy Steen (9) of Chanhassen, MN passed away at his home on June 25th, 2024 surrounded by
his loving human family.
He was the second oldest of 3 dog brothers in his adopted home. He was proceeded in death by his
previous owner, and two uncles (Teddy and Rudy Steen). He is survived by Jill Steen-Botros
(mother), David Botros (dad), Ann Steen (Mimi), Doug Steen (papa), Matt Steen (the uncle he
never liked), and 2 Havanese brothers (George Douglas and Henry).
Our hearts are empty as we write this. He was an amazing one of a kind dog.
On June 25th Sammy passed away unexpectedly in his mom’s arms. He only suffered a few
minutes before crossing the rainbow bridge. He had been diagnosed with CHF, but had a clean
work up 2 weeks prior at the vet. Losing a pet is always difficult but we were expecting at least 2-4
years more years with him. Sammy passed in the car on the way to the ER in his mom’s arms and
his Papa next to him.
Sammy had a love for food. His favorites were: McDonald’s French fry’s, carbs of any type, chicken,
and bananas. He was also often cranky when there was food around that was not being shared
with him. His begging screams could be heard miles away. We miss the begging and the first meal
without him was too quiet.
Sammy was a sweet and loving 9 year old purebred shih tzu that was learning how to be a dog the
moment he was adopted 11/01/22. We are forever grateful for his foster Debbie. Without her, we
would have never known the shih tzu that we needed so badly in our lives.
At each vet check up, the staff could not believe the progress he had made. Up until the day he
died he was independently climbing 3 sets of stairs, potty trained, and loving anyone that would
walk by. He was a loving boy who just wanted to snuggle and be a loyal companion to his humans.
His gorgeous hair was maintained with nightly pampering of brushing and teeth cleaning (he had
very stinky breath). His favorite things were: Carbs , boat rides, car rides, and spending his days
with his Mimi. He loved sharing pancakes with his Papa at breakfast, and wedding planning with his
mom’s fiancée.
He is deeply missed by his family and those who were blessed to meet and spend time with him.
We have confidence that we will be reunited with him one day. Until then… tears will be shed, our
hearts will learn to heal, and the sweet memories we have will remain imprinted on our hearts
forever.

HERBIE
Posted: August 2024
Herbie, adopted by Tom and Jeanne in October, 2015 and passed away in July, 2024. He was
approximately 12 or 13 years old.
Nine years ago, Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota brought Herbie and our family together. He was a
“one in a million” dog, and has been a constant source of joy. He was a world class cuddler and
fierce protector. Herbie had a great imagination, much like that of a little boy. In his mind he took
on criminals and wild animals. The only thing stopping him then, was a leash. There's nothing
stopping him now.


Unexpected heartbreak: Our finest furry friend, Max,
passed away peacefully today at the veterinarian’s office
after discovering he had severe and incurable heart failure.
He was born somewhere around 14 years ago into a tiny
body but had the heart of a lion (with the spirit of a cranky
old man who wanted you off his lawn). He had a
prodigious ability to lounge, making himself cozy whenever
something soft presented the opportunity. He loved
whatever we were eating and asked for it incessantly by
snoring at us. He made us laugh several times a day.
If there was any one thing he loved more than food, it was
Nancy. He would wait for her by the door, allowing all
other humans to pass until his beloved appeared. Then, he
often followed her around so closely his chin would get
clipped by her heels. We often joked that if Max was a
compass, Nancy was his true north. (Witness Max in his
happy place on a “walk” below.) Max was again in his
happiest place in his final, peaceful moments, well fed with
ample treats and in the arms of his favorite human.
We’re going to miss that tiny beast.
MAX
Posted: November 2024
Patches, our sweet girl, had an adventurous, kind, and playful nature. She made many cross
country road trips, loved camping and hiking - including being carried while she saw the sights, and
kept careful watch over our children as they grew. She is deeply missed and celebrated!
Thank you STRMN for matching us together - it was a beautiful decade and a half of licks,
snuggles, and chortles!"
PATCHES
Posted: August 2024


This sweet boy entered our lives in 2013 for a reason, he
was an angel in disguise after we lost our precious
daughter. Tebow might have been little but he had a heart
larger than life and captured our hearts immediately. He
loved his toys especially ones that squeaked and loved
playing catch with his small tennis balls, he let you know
when he wanted to play and you couldn’t avoid his
suggestion as he would remind you with a bark that he
wanted to play.
I couldn’t believe that something so little could offer so
much unconditional love to our family. After my husband
passed away Tebow was alone during the day while I was
at work so I decided he needed a companion and adopted
Cody through the rescue, they bonded right away and
were inseparable and the best of buddies. Cody is missing
his brother too.
Tebow’s loved going on walks, being held and cuddled and
rewarded me with many wonderful, precious doggie kisses.
He also seemed to know when I desperately needed these
kisses too. He was always by my side and I felt comfort
knowing he was near.

Tebow
Posted: January 2025
Tebow crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on
January 25, 2025 and my heart will forever be
broken but I am so thankful that I was chosen
to have this sweet precious boy come into my
life and I often think he enriched my life and
saved me rather than me saving him!
Thank you to his foster mom, Tanya VanBeeck
and the Shih Tzu Rescue of MN for having the
confidence in me and my husband to allow us
to adopt this sweet boy and give him a loving
home for 12 years. Tebow gave us so much
love during those years and I’m forever
grateful!
I’ll miss you forever my sweet boy, thank you
for loving me!
Our sweet Chloe passed on December 16th. She was 15 1/2 years old. We became her foster family
in 2013 and fell in love and adopted her! Chloe was a character and thought she was a cat or big
dog depending on the day. She schooled all of the labs as puppies and as grown dogs. She loved
our lake home and and enjoyed our drives down to our Florida house. We will miss her quirky ways
and loving personality.
Chloe
Posted: February 2025

February 12th Phoebe crossed over to Rainbow Bridge. As you can see by the picture below she was
VERY well cared for and loved by her owner PJ Benson. I often babysat for PJ and I thought these
two beautiful dogs were so gorgeous considering their early years (Mona was a mill dog and in fact,
she is still living but for how long I don't know. She's already very old and will miss Phoebe
something fierce). Because they were so lovely I had nicknamed them "The Calendar Girls". Phoebe
developed bladder cancer and like the amazing resilient upbeat dog that she was, she was always
chattering and enjoying her food right up to her last day. On one occasion I told PJ looking at Phoebe
was like looking right into her soul. She would have intense eye contact with you as if she was
reading your mind. I know I will miss having her come and stay for several days at a time. I can't
begin to imagine how PJ (and her partner) and Mona must be feeling. She will definitely be missed by
many. Such a beautiful dog......
~Foster Mom Jane


Phoebe
Posted: February 2025