STRMN Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota

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

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]

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 ~

2022

>> VIEW MORE >>

IN MEMORY OF LUCKY

March 2022

Sad news today

We fostered Lucky from the Shih Tzu Rescue about 10 years ago and then became a “foster fail” as

they say, and adopted him. We knew right away he was special. Our sweet boy Lucky passed away

unexpectedly last night. It was a devastating shock. He passed away quietly in his sleep last night while

cuddling next to Chuckles (his 4 pound brother) on the dog bed in our office. He was just about eleven

years old and we did not see this coming; we thought we had many more years with him. We are so,

so sad as he was the best dog anyone could ever hope for. We will miss him so much.

We are so thankful for the time we did have with our boy. He was a wonderful dog and we were lucky

to have had him in our lives. He meant the world to us--he gave us joy. We loved him so much! He

made us laugh with his sea lion-like bark. He was like a radar with weather and storms, he was

snuggly, communicative, loving and had a beautiful proud show dog swagger when he walked or

entered a room, he was beyond special.

He was such a good dog to have as a mentor dog with the foster dogs we would take in. I was told that

he was a "dominant secure" boy by our rescues dog behaviorist/trainer (which is very good as you

would never know he was dominant--that's because he was secure). I just can't believe he is gone. I

am a total blotchy mess today as we lost a family member.

Lucky had a great life...many road trips, lots of love, play, family, and was a very loved and happy boy.

We are in mourning, I can't stop crying-I am devastated that he is gone but am so grateful to have had

him in our lives. I feel so sad for Roxy and Chuckles as well as they also loved their brother and I worry

how they will respond to his absence the next few days...

Tanya

IN MEMORY OF LUCY

March 2022

My sweet Lucy crossed the Rainbow Bridge on St. Patrick’s Day, 2022. She was just a few months shy

of 16 years old and was just as beautiful as the day I adopted her at age 5. I was told she came from a

loving home; and that was evident from the start. She was a happy, friendly dog - independent,

adventurous, confident and a sweet and loyal companion to Nicholas, my other Shih Tzu rescue dog. In

fact, it was Nicholas who first found her at an adoption event and followed her around most of the

afternoon. I think he loved her energy and loving nature. We both fell in love with Lucy that day and so I

adopted her March 2012. Nicholas and Lucy were inseparable ever since.

Lucy always had a lame leg, but that didn’t stop her from hiking miles and miles of trails all over

Minnesota with Nicholas and her other furry (and human) friends. She loved going to the cabin and

even ventured into the water a few times to chase balls with the big dogs. Oh! and she loved her toys,

stacking them all around her when she napped. I loved her enthusiasm for any new toy, treat or

adventure. Lucy loved being around people and was gentle when she needed to be. She completed

Therapy Dog Training in 2016 and would walk the paths with my mom or sit quietly beside her to be

petted. She was such a love.

Over the years, Lucy's eyesight and hearing began to fail and her limp became more pronounced and

painful. Our daily walks got slower and shorter with Nicholas now taking the lead, keeping the pace

slow for Lucy. She was a happy and determined little sweetheart, adjusting to these challenges, until

about 6 months ago when she developed a cognitive disorder. It was heartbreaking watching Lucy

slowly lose touch with the world where the familiar was no longer familiar and her days no longer had

joy.

I had my time to cuddle her and say my goodbye’s, and Nicholas did too, in his way. With the aid of our

compassionate Vet, my sweet Lucy fell asleep peacefully in my arms on March 17, 2022. She is running

free now, taking with her how much she was loved and appreciated by so many.

To my sweet Lucy. Lucy in the sky with diamonds. You were a joy and a blessing. You made me smile

every day. I will be thinking of you often, Lucy-girl, until we meet again.

Margo

In November of 2010, our rescue received a

frantic request from a young woman who had

three Shih Tzus that she needed to immediately

surrender. She loved them dearly, but she was

in a relationship with a controlling, abusive man

who ordered her to get rid of the dogs. It was

either her dogs or him, and her fear of her

boyfriend was great.

Foster homes were found for each individual dog,

and Phyllis and Ron Ettinger, volunteers with

STRMN, went to the woman’s house to pick up

the dogs. They were met at the house by a man

wielding a gun, who threatened them, saying

they had to take the dogs immediately or he was

going to kill the dogs.

BUDDY
A Story of Cruelty, Love, and Transformation
July 2022

Of course, Phyllis and Ron did their best to calm the menacing man while maintaining their own

composure, and reassured him that their purpose was to take the dogs. But little did they know what

was in store.

There were two docile female dogs, who were easily put into the Ettinger’s car. But a black and white

six year old male, named Fang, put up a fight. He clearly didn’t trust anyone and fought back, biting, at

any attempt to touch or even approach him. He did trust his female owner, but no one else. With her

help, Fang was loaded into the car. It was clear that Fang had been severely abused by the boyfriend.

When a dog is met with such abuse and threats, it has two options: fight or flight. The two females

chose flight, and they found safety somewhere in the house away from the boyfriend, and avoided

confrontations with him. But Fang chose to fight, only fueling the boyfriend’s frequent cruelty and

brutality. One can only imagine the torture that Fang endured at the hands of this despicable man.

But on the day that Fang and his two siblings were rescued, they began a journey that changed their

lives forever. Because the two girls were docile and receptive to love and attention, they did well in

their foster homes and were soon adopted by wonderful families. And Fang’s name was changed to

Buddy, to shed the name’s horrible connotation and give hope for a brighter future.

But Buddy’s journey was not so simple. He had endured so much, and even with the help and

understanding of his foster parents, he resisted anyone approaching or touching him, and lashed out at

any attempts to engage him. It was immensely difficult for his foster parents - how do you even begin

to help a dog when you can’t put a leash on him without being bitten? How can you give consolation

to a dog who bears his teeth at you when you even look at him? How can people feel safe with an

aggressive dog in their home? As difficult as it was for Buddy’s foster parents, it was also difficult for

Buddy. Every look in his direction signaled fear for him; fear of being hit, kicked, tortured, or yelled at.

This foster home was yet another fear for him.

At great expense, Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota hired a professional trainer to help Buddy’s foster

parents gain an understanding of Buddy and to enable him to overcome his fear and aggression.

Several STRMN volunteers also regularly participated in Buddy’s training to get him accustomed to new,

safe people and situations. Ron Ettinger, was especially devoted to Buddy and went to the foster home

on weekends to walk Buddy, and to build and maintain a relationship with him.

But Buddy’s progress was very slow; concerningly slow. After many months in his foster home, he still

could not be trusted to not bite when approached. He had to be sedated to be groomed. STRMN did

not have unlimited funds to pour into professional training. Buddy’s foster parents were disheartened

and basically had given up because there just didn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.

What was the rescue to do? STRMN is a “no kill” rescue, but clearly Buddy was not ever going to be an

adoptable dog, and no other foster home was willing to take such an aggressive dog. What was

Buddy’s fate?

Ron and Phyllis had remained active in

Buddy’s rehabilitation efforts, and when they

learned of STRMN’s predicament, they came

to Buddy’s rescue for a second time. They

said they would adopt him! In July of 2011

Buddy went to live with the Ettinger’s.

Ron and Phyllis are well known within the

rescue for their love and compassion for

animals of all kinds. But what they did for

Buddy was extraordinary.

They already had other Shih Tzus in their home, and were a bit worried about Buddy’s interaction with

them. So when they initially got Buddy, they kept him in a large, carpeted surround in their

temperature controlled garage. They would sit with him for hours at a time in a very non-threatening

way, calmly and soothingly talking to him, getting him used to their presence and voice. Ron slept in

the garage at night with Buddy so that he wouldn’t be alone. Gradually Buddy allowed them to pet him

without attempting to bite. During this time, they also hired the same dog trainer who had previously

worked with Buddy, to continue with his training and rehabilitation.

Within a reasonably short period period of time, Buddy was allowed in the house to interact with Ron

and Phyllis and their dogs. But he remained very unpredictable, often snarling or growling at the

slightest provocation. But Ron and Phyllis were adamantly committed to helping Buddy. They continued

with the training advice given to them, and if they had to be gone for any length of time, Buddy always

stayed at the trainer’s home so that his training wouldn’t lapse. They showered Buddy with love,

kindness, and understanding, and most of all, patience.

Over a period of a couple years, Buddy made incremental improvements. He was becoming a trusting,

loving, calm boy. He became Ron’s shadow, and the most devoted companion one could hope for. He

could even be trusted with the Ettinger’s two young granddaughters. He would never be an

enthusiastic, outgoing, slobber you with kisses type of dog, but he had found a home where his family

gave him a new life; one of tenderness and love. And he gave Ron and Phyllis so much love in return.

We don’t know if dogs are capable of expressing gratitude, but certainly Buddy never forgot his former

life and was grateful every day for the life that the Ettinger’s had given him.

Several years after Buddy’s rescue, Phyllis kindly called Buddy’s former owner to let her know that

Buddy was doing well. The woman broke down crying, having not known what Buddy’s fate was, and

always fearing the worst. An emotional burden was lifted from her, and thankfully, she was no longer

with her abusive boyfriend.

Buddy had many happy years with Ron and Phyllis, but sadly they had to make the painful decision to

say goodbye to him on July 25, 2022. He was 18 years old and his quality of life was very poor. Their

grief for this very special dog is profound. But Buddy had 11 wonderful years with Ron and Phyllis, and

they treasure every moment of them. Buddy’s story is an inspiration and testament to the devotion and

kindness of humans, and the forgiveness, resilience and fortitude of dogs. Buddy will remain in the

hearts of everyone who knew him.

Ron and Phyllis continue in their commitment to the mission of our rescue, and they are an amazing

example of what can be accomplished. They hope Buddy’s story will spur others to do their part to help

the many dogs - and the other Buddy’s - who need to be rescued.

LOUIE
October 2022

Louie came into our lives in 2012 at the age of 5 after spending time with Sue and Virgil Peterson and the

wonderful crew at the Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota (Debbie, Martha, and Karen). Thank you all. Their

efforts along with Drs. McKeever and Heinrich smoothed out allergies that kept me on my medical toes.

My Aunt Anne had passed and we had love to give. What we received was so much more in return. We

traveled everywhere as a family. Trips and car rides were Louie's favorite along with neighborhood walks

and sitting in his yard. Louie loved my girls and always placed himself between them and the door, only

barking when it was someone he didn't know. Louie smiled a lot and would trot into his former groomer

Tracey at Lucky Dog in Minnetonka. He and I communicated and Louie understood and answered with

different happy smiling barks. As the nest emptied, Louie became my everything. His steadfast

companionship could ease my back pain and that of the heart. His sweet gentle persona remained as

the years passed and I took in his lessons on how to age gracefully. His diminished hearing and sight

didn’t dim his spirit. We still went out and about in his stroller and he warmed more hearts along the

way. Louie had been in play position, eating/drinking, and walking the yard until he became acutely ill on

Saturday,

November 5, 2022. His 15th birthday was one week away. It's true they let you know when it's time. Dr.

Cameron Houk at Gehrman Animal Hospital listened with intent to my wishes for it to be a painfree and

peaceful passing. Louie never left my arms and was a graceful lion in death. He allowed my grief to flow

for hours then he was placed in his final resting spot at our home. A memorial garden and art sculpture

to celebrate his life will follow next spring. The site will be in view as I work, wake, sleep, and take in

sunsets on the patio. A love so pure is one that lasts. Louie was precious and life's best gift that's forever

in my heart.

Lexy adopted us on April 22, 2010. She was a 3 yr. old furball full of energy! I remember when she first

entered our house for her home visit. She was jumping from furniture to furniture as though she was on

a trampoline! I later realized that was our little girl when she was anxious and had stored up energy.

She had just had a 4-hour car ride. Lexy was a little out of sorts that night on where she should sleep,

and she did not want to be up on the bed. My husband ended up sleeping on the floor with her in our

living room. Lexy was very selective when it came to her acceptance of other dogs, but she warmed up

to her new sister Gracie immediately, (a rescued Shih Tzu we had adopted 6 mo. prior). They quickly

became a bonded pair! She always looked out for Gracie and would often let us know when Gracie had

to go out to potty. What a smart girl!

Lexy loved her toys - especially her soft balls. She would always take a toy with her when she had to go

out to potty, and if she forgot to bring it back all you would have to say is “go get your toy” and she would

run and get it and bring it back in. She would often fall asleep at night with her mouth open on top of

one of her balls. She enjoyed her daily walks until the last few years, then she enjoyed her ride in her

stroller. We also would take her to a small park down by the lake for a mini walk, she enjoyed smelling

all the new scents. She loved her time outdoors in the summer, whether it was running, playing, and

exploring in the yard or relaxing on her outdoor couch on the deck. Yes, she had her own couch, it was

people sized but very low to the ground. In her younger days she also loved plowing through the fresh

fallen snow. Most of all, she loved her people, and followed me around like a little shadow.

Lexy’s sister Gracie passed away in May of 2021, I could tell that Lexy really missed her, and I think Lexy

lost some of the sparkle in her eyes after that. Our girl had suffered with some arthritis in her back the

last few years but it seemed to be manageable with medication. She had started having seizures, the

first about 2 years ago. She had two in a year’s time and then the following year came and they started

to become more frequent - about twice a month. She was put on medication for that as well, and a lot

of prayer! It seemed to help for a while, until it did not. They became more severe, and my heart broke.

Our fur babies teach us so much. The obvious is their unconditional love and dedication. That love

sometimes makes it difficult to know when the time has come to say “Good-bye until we meet again.” I

think sometimes the end has come before we recognize it as such. They are so loyal; they hang on for

us. We try to protect them and show our love in whatever way we can, including helping them feel

better and get well. Then that helpless day comes when we know this is it, and they are looking at you

with those big beautiful eyes asking you to let go.

This I know, our sweet Lexy was certainly a blessing to us and she will forever remain in our hearts. I

miss her every single day. We purchased a memorial bench this past fall in her memory. It will have a

special place in our yard this spring.

IN MEMORY OF SWEET LEXY
March 15, 2007 - Sept. 10, 2022