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]

RESCUING SINCE
2007!

In Memory

STRMN Shih Tzu Rescue of Minnesota

Website Developed and Maintained by Website to the Rescue

"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