08.31.08
VALERIE - I’VE BEEN ADOPTED!!!
Hello! My name is Valerie and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I am a gray and white 1 ½ year old Shih Tzu. I’m a tiny girl at 8-9 pounds, but I was smaller before I came into foster care. With lots of love and attention I have gained two pounds! My foster mom says I look very pretty!
Before the Lone Star volunteers found me I was living in a mobile home all by myself, as I had been abandoned by my owner. That’s when I weighed 6 pounds, had TONS of fleas, and really badly matted hair. I was totally neglected and abused, and very afraid of just about everything, including people. Here’s a “before” picture of me, after my hair was shaved.
When my foster mom first took me home I was even afraid of her. I had no idea that she was trying to help me and every time she would reach for me, or just try to touch me, I would scream. My foster mom was concerned that I might have something physically wrong with me, but when I was taken to the veterinarian for a check-up, he said that everything was fine. I was just screaming because I was terrified of everything. It took me a couple of weeks to realize that my foster family wants nothing more than to help me and love me. I have lived with them for almost a year now and I love them very much. I no longer scream all the time and they say that’s a good thing!!! I do still sometimes whimper when strangers try to hold me.
I am learning to love and trust. It’s taken a bit of time, but I am progressing quite nicely. I will give my foster mom kisses every morning and I really like when my foster dad shares his breakfast with me! I even love to cuddle with them. I especially like it when I get belly rubs! You see, I am learning what good things are all about!!! I’m still very wary of new situations and people, but I know that if I am with my foster family they will protect me. I would love to find a forever family to call my own, but I need a quiet house with loving adults who would be willing to continue to work with me. No children please in my forever home. I don’t think I could stand all that excitement!!
I have some foster brothers and sisters, but I really only trust one of them. I will play with my foster brother and I feel pretty comfortable around him. I have toys that I tend to attack and I particularly like to play with my foster parent’s shoes!! They have learned to hide them from me! When I am playing with my toys (or shoes), I growl and carry-on, and I am quite noisy. All I know is I am having fun and finally feeling like a normal content dog.
I am crate-trained and am quite good when I am in my crate. I am almost house-trained and will howl when I need to go outside. If my foster parents don’t hear me, I sometimes have an accident. But if I do, my favorite indoor spot to go is the bathroom!!! I am getting better and better though. I really don’t like to be groomed, and will let my feelings be known about that also.
Even though I am comfortable in my foster home, I would really like a forever home. I’m a young dog who needs to live the rest of my life with my very own family. I know that I have special needs, but I also know that SOMEONE out there would be willing to work with me and help me be your faithful and loving friend.
You can read more about me on my Petfinder page. Or, please contact my foster mom at sherry352@sbcglobal.net . She will tell you what a special girl I am and how I would fit in your family. Please give me a chance.
I am altered, up to date on all shots and heartworm negative.
