Mookie - Shih Tzu

STATE: central NY state
AGE: 5 years
DOB: unknown
WEIGHT: about 10 lbs
SEX: F
NEUT/UTD: soon/soon
COAT COLOR: white with brindle spots
CHILDREN under 4: no (no history)
CHILDREN OVER 4: yes
SEPARATION ANXIETY: no
OTHER DOGS: yes (needs another dog)
CATS: YES
CRATE TRAINED: yes
HOUSE TRAINED: somewhat
OBEDIENCE TRAINED: no
LEASH TRAINED: no
MICROCHIPPED: yes
ADOPTION FEE: $475
 
 
10/9/2022-Hi it’s Mookie!  My foster family accidentally calls me Little Dog a lot and I’ve gotten used to having a nickname and run to them when they call me.  I really like my doggie foster brother and want to be with him all the time, he teaches me so much.  I don’t know why he likes stuffed animals or why he squeaks them and throws them to me.  I did sneak one of his bully sticks and wow, it’s awesome to chew on.  I really like my foster mom and get really mad when she goes downstairs.  I started to bark at her a few days ago and its pretty neat that my bark makes her come back upstairs.  They are always up to something so I follow them around everywhere, especially my foster brother.  It’s the best when we go outside.  I love to run around in the grass and get exercise.  They get really happy when I go potty on the grass so whenever we go out there I go potty.  I also like to go potty in the house but when they remind me I don’t mind going outside but I like when they are quiet so I don’t get scared.  I think I’ll try to potty outside a lot more because they really like it.
 My foster family always tells me how cute and fluffy I am (they say it’s very cute when my tongue sticks out a little so I leave it out for them). Then they try to pick me up and I take off as fast as I can.  If they catch me and hold me, I really like it, but at first I’m really scared.  I’m really trying to be brave when they try to pet me, maybe over time I will be able to stop running away.  I really like living in a house and having a comfortable bed.  After about a month I realized that I don’t have to pace all night and they leave the crate door open so I can come out if I want and sleep in my foster brothers bed.  One last thing, I like to wake up at 7:43am and when I smell breakfast I like to dance and hop!  Sometimes I love my food and sometimes I’m still afraid and need it to be very quite to feel safe enough to eat.  There is a lot to figure out and my foster family says I’m trying very hard to learn how to live without the constant state of fear and accept love. Bye for now, love Mookie (AKA Little Dog)
 
 
 
9/17/22-Mookie really should have a home with another small/medium sized dog to help her become the dog she was meant to be. I’d also recommend she go to someone who has a lot of time, patience, and compassion to work with Mookie. She still barely eats and just seems so nervous at meal time. We’ve tried to feed her near our dog, in her crate, and hand feeding but none were very successful. Do you have the desire to love Mookie & help her transition to a life outside the puppy mill?
 
9/16/22-Mookie is doing great in the crate now, we don’t even need to close the door at night anymore and she sleeps in it all night. She is still taking her time to accept affection. She follows us everywhere around the house but doesn’t really want to be pet. We just give her space and are hopeful she will come around. I’m still excited for when we will get the first tail wag. She loves the big boys dog bed! She is still very skittish around meal time and eats very little. We try to feed at the same time in the morning and evening everyday. And give her the option of wet and dry food. She’s a picky little thing.  I think she just has a lot to adjust too but the crate progress has been huge so I know she has it in her.
 
 
9/12/2022-I don’t think Mookie (nickname is LD for Little Dog) could get any cuter.  Her tiny fluffy head is perfect to give kisses on,  which she tolerates.  This mill mama is making very slow but steady progress.  Although we haven’t gotten a tail wag yet, she prances around the yard behind our boxer with the biggest smile on her face.  She is starting to know her name and while she will now take a few steps toward us she will still only approach us from behind and allow us to pet her.  She isn’t a fan of being picked up yet and scurries away (really fast I must say) if she thinks we are going to pick her up.  If we put her on our lap for snuggles she is good with it and is quick to start snoring.  She has had some difficult nights and only sleeps for short periods of time.  The crate has really helped and we found her sleeping in there during the day as we leave the door open.  She also likes to steal our boxers big bed, we aren’t sure how she gets up there but she sits up there like a queen.  Mookie drinks water out of a bowl now without needing to be prompted to take a drink but we are still working on getting her to eat a meal.  She is a very skittish eater and it’s been a challenge to get her to eat. Mookie is a sweet baby and we can’t wait for her to not cower when we try to pet her.  SHe is making very good eye contact now and is extremely curious.
 
9/6/22-Mookie breaks my heart, poor thing doesn’t know how to drink from a bowl, paces in circles all day, and has barely eaten. She’s learning from my boxer but the lil baby is going to need someone dedicated and around all the time to help her work thru her trauma and trust again. She’s terrified right now and doesn’t want to be touched yet. She has no concept of anything inside a house she needs to be introduced to everything. She follows me around the house though, is curious and makes eye contact. This is all a good sign as some puppy mill dogs do not do these things so soon. The soonest we could get a spay appointment is 10/18 & she will be ready to go to her new home soon after that. I’m so glad our rescue is so dedicated to getting these dogs out of the puppy mills. It’s a tough road for them and this foster girl has been very eye opening to the care and love they need.
  
9/4/22-Sweet little Mookie arrived yesterday at her foster home.  She is a little peanut and very shy for now.  She is very curious to her surroundings and alert.  She has taken a liking to our boxer and has been following him around like a shadow.  He has already taught her where to go potty outside and how to drink water from a bowl. She is hesitant to be pet but did fall asleep on grandmas lap which gave her a well needed nap.  She hasn’t made a peep yet but had a good first night.  You can see she was recently shaved down, maybe to be cooler for the summer? I’m sure once her hair grows in she’s going to be even more adorable!  She will need to be spayed before she can be adopted. More to come!!
 
8/31/22-Mookie is a 5 year old female Shih Tzu. She was saved from a puppy mill as they were done breeding her. She arrived safely into rescue tonight thanks to her transport volunteers & temporary foster home. Updates soon from her foster home.