Ok so last week I came home from wrok and this wonderfully homeless little shih tzu was at my house in the rain. I don't have a dog so I know she wasnt mine. I asked her what her name was, and who her mommy was etc...she wasn't giving up any info on herself. She had no tags on her or anything. She was filthy dirty, she had a huge infestation of fleas, she has a few missing teeth on the right back side, her front top teeth are worn down. However, she is a very well mannered good girl. She is house broken, walks on a leash, doesnt bark at anyone, or any other dogs, etc. I took her to the local vet to have her scanned to see if she had a microchip placement, she didn't. I bought flea dip and started the arduous task of grooming out the mats and the fleas. I have placed ads in our local paper, online pet finder sites, craigs list, fliers in our neighborhoods, inquired at the condos at the end of the streets, as well at the hotels near our home....NADA I have called ARNI, all the local humae shelters as well as the local animal control people, no one is looking for this girl. The vet told me that in this economy people are dumping animals near nice neighborhoods hoping they get taken in. I was told that if noone claims her after 10 days I have 2 options, keep her, or take her to the shelter ans surrender her. I will not be surrenderring her. We have started calling her ROXY. She seem very happy here with us. For the time we have a doggie crate and she is sleeping on the front porch, because we dont know where she stands with shots, parasites etc and we have 2 kids.
So we thought we would introduce ourselves and get some doggie tips, we have not ever owned dogs......and now she found us. oh and she is not a long hair typical looking shih tzu...someone has cut her hair short, she looks more like the puppy cut or maybe a little lasa apso style. How do you determine a dogs age?

ok, so I just read my own post. Sorry for all the type O's. We just got a new laptop, I'm sitting here with it, tyring to figure it out, with Roxy trying to sit as close to me as possible.

Hi and welcome,nice to meet you on i-love-dogs.

Is this board only for people who have bought their dogs? I checked the board for strays and that one hasnt been active for some time, so I thought I would be welcome here.....not so much since I am adopting an abandoned dog? I am just looking for some advice on how to groom this little gal, what to feed a finicky dog that I know nothing about when I have bought and tried just about every thing out there, how to determine how old she is, what do you do with a dog who is afraid of a thunderstorm...other than sit and rub her belly till she falls asleep beside you on the couch? How do you teach a dog to play? she is afraid of squeaky toys...but since she was abandoned, I guess these are things I will have to find out on my own.
Thanks anyway,

[Lara's mom]

Welcome to the forum!

[CorkyMax]

Sounds like this little girl is lucky to have found you to take care of her! You asked about grooming--I have a book that tells about dog breeds. Here is what it says about grooming your baby: Daily combing and brushing of the long, soft, double coat (I know you said she has had a haircut--but you may let it go longer and this is what it says for the Shih Tzu)---Brushing daily with a steel comb and a bristle brush is essential, with extra care during shedding. The long hair on the top of the head is usually tied in a topknot to keep it out of the dog's eyes. Dry shampoo as necessary and bathe once a month. Check the ears regularly for infection and remove food scraps from the beard after meals. Clip out any matting on the feet.
---Few other comments from book about this breed: Be aware: Prone to heatstroke. Don't overfeed or they will quickly become fat. HEALTH PROBLEMS: The prominent eyes are prone to injury and tend to get dry from exposure, causing them to ulcerate. They are also subject to ear infections and inherited kidney problems, and they may suffer breathing difficulties in hot weather. These are naturally active little dogs but, if allowed, like to lounge about in their own particular spot. They should be encouraged to get out and about and will keep fitter with a daily walk.---------As far as how old--I would think your vet would be the one to ask. There is a thread in this forum on thunder and loud noises--good for you to find and read. May come back here later and tell you how to find it. :mrgreen:

About the thunder--There are actually 2 long posts in this forum---Go to top of page --find blue strip across the top of page with all the white words--find Search (toward far right) Put words: thunder/loud noises in search field--find all THREADS---then find thread titled: Dog afraid of thunder and lightning--After you have read those 2 pages---Go <-Back and find 2nd thread titled: Thunder and lightning.(2 pages also) Lot of info there. Enjoy your new puppy!

we have so enjoyed having ROXY in our family. And so far, 10 days later and all this looking for her owner, and no one is calling or looking for her. I just really wish that her "owners" were looking for her half as hard as we were looking for them. But, we will keep on loving her.
I checked out the thunder/loud noises threads, great info. She just really acts like she doesnt know where to go or what to do. We have been getting thunderstorms every evening, 2 days ago, she slipped out when my husband came home and darted across the back yard to the neighbors house. I had to go get her, in the RAIN! She just goes doggy psycho when it thunders. She hates the noises that squeaky toys makes as well. I did try the doorbell and that doesnt bother her at all.

[Lara's mom]

It sounds to me that the poor little thing was dumped off in your neighbourhood in the hope some good person would take him in. That happens a lot due to the recession. It's no excuse for doing that to a faithful friend and companion but some people just don't value their canine children as we do on this forum. He's a lucky little dog to have found his way to your doorstep! He'll bring you years of joy!

[wishbone]

You have a very kind and big heart for her, thank you so much. She might be dumped and took long way because of thunderstorm. You really need to socialize her, can you consider a puppy class for her?

[chevy & karen]

Thank you for taking this precious pup in and welcome to the forum...