Shih Tzu puppies and dogs in Gulfport, Florida

Available for adoption at www.VIPRescue.org Dog Name: Harold DOB: 12/12/2017 Breed: Shih tzu/mini poodle mix Weight : 22 lbs current weight – Needs to a lose a few ;-( Gender: Male House trained: Yes Location: Myakka City, FL Gets along with cats: No Gets along with Dogs : Yes NO KIDS Fenced Yard: REQUIRED – Fenced yard attached to your home. Hi friends, my name is Harold! I’m a 5 year old, a shih tzu/mini poodle mix (a Shi-poo) who weighs about 22lbs(needs to lose a few). Do you remember me? I was adopted about a month ago and we tried to adjust to each other, but I learned that I need a home with only one human, I bond with one person and only one person. Life is a journey and we learned this about me. I’m all good now, and, well, I’m baaaaaaaack! And looking for my one and only human. My favorite things are grassy backyards, car rides, going new places, walking the neighborhood on my leash, and of course, companionship and attention. I am a playful, friendly and affectionate guy. Did I mention super handsome too? Even got myself a new haircut, a big thank you to the nice folks at Pampered Paws Grooming Salon who volunteered their time to get me cleaned up! I sure feel better without all that long hot hair!! I will require regularly scheduled grooming appointments, so please consider the extra cost of that prior to submitting your application. If you cannot afford and are not willing to have me professionally groomed on a regular basis, like every 8-10 weeks, I am not the dog for you. Please consider one of my fellow short haired, non grooming required rescue friends instead. I like and get along great with other friendly dogs, although I may bark when we first meet. Don’t take it personally, I’m just saying “hi, new friend.” Foster mom has introduced me to many dogs (and humans) and I love most everyone that respects my space, both in rest and play mode. (that’s a big thing with me) I share beds, toys and water bowls nicely too. Food, not so much – that’s my kibble! Paws of fellow canines!! I would do well in a home with an already established small to medium size (under 35 lbs), friendly and very well socialized dog. I could also be an only dog, so long as I am your primary significant other. I do not want to be at home by myself for extended hours so if you work full time outside of the home, I’m really not the guy for you. I bond with one person and one person only in the home. If you are not a single human home I am not the guy for you. Keep me on regular potty schedule and I’m pretty much housebroken. Like I said above, you need to be home to play with me and let me out to potty, not working all the time. I like routines and schedules, I’ll even let you know if you’re running late on my meal times. How do I do that? Foster mom calls it barking, but I’m really just talking to her about my wants and needs. I also “talk” to the delivery people, the garbage truck, people and things like big birds that appear outside the windows, and the doorbell, for example. I’m kind of like a little security alarm, which foster mom says can be a good thing, but if you or your environment is sensitive to canine talking (barking), I am not the doggie for you. Foster mom says I am excellent on leash. She often walks me with 1-2 of my other dog friends and I don’t mind matching my pace with others. I love playing outside! I will need a single family adult only home with a secured fenced in yard for me to run, play and sniff. Sorry folks, no condos, townhomes, villas or rentals. This is not negotiable, and I sure hope you understand, but it’s what’s best for me. Truth be told, I am not a big fan of those little humans you people call kids. If you have young children in your home or children that visit your home, I am not the dog for you. Please take note of this prior to submitting your Application because foster mom says this is not negotiable. Foster mom does not have cats, but she’s got a little tiny dog that I am very friendly with and do not chase, but I really would prefer a “feline free” home, ok? Now, don’t I sound like the perfect pup? I think I am, but I do have some “quirks” that foster Mom will discuss with only the approved applicants. I will say that I MUST have an experienced dog owner, I’m not a 1st time pet for sure. You MUST be very active to keep up with all my playful energy, so if you’re a young, experienced active human, I might just be for you! Oh, another thingy, a home visit will be required for an approved applicant, and you must live within 1 hour of the St Petersburg/Clearwater area. I am up to date on my vaccinations, neutered, microchipped, a fresh dental and on flea and heartworm prevention. I’m ready to move along to my forever home, but foster mom is happy to have me for as long as it takes to find my perfect match, I’m not the easiest pupper to own due to my “quirks”. After reading and considering all of the above, if you think you might be the person for me, please submit your application for review at VIPRescue.org ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS FOR HAROLD: You must be a permanent resident of FL, and be a very experienced dog owner, and as cute as he is, he’s not the doggie for a first time pet owner due to his “little quirkiness”. Harold does require a 6-foot fenced yard in a single family home. To qualify for adoption, all of the pets in your home must be spayed or neutered, they must be current on vaccines, preventatives, and have received consistent veterinary care. Harold could typically live 12-15 years, so keep his lifespan in mind if you are thinking of adopting him. Your age should be appropriate for his estimated lifespan.

Meet Rory and Roderick - BONDED - Indian Rocks Beach Dog names: Rory and Roderick (Bonded pair, MUST be adopted together) Dob: 1/08/2022 we believe they are litter mates Breed: ShihTzu mix Weight: 10lbs Gender: Males House Trained: No, but we are working hard on it Location: Indian Rocks Beach Good with dogs: Yes Good with kids: Yes, 10+ respectful Color: Black and White Fence: Required, not negotiable, needs to be securely attached to home Please read ENTIRE bio We’d like you to meet our 2 new furry friends, Rory and Roderick. They are 2 year old 10lb. Shih Tzu mixes weighing just 10lbs! When they arrived at VIP Rescue, they were so severely matted and most likely had never been groomed before but all that changed with a lengthy shave down and warm, soothing bath. Boy, we bet that felt so good! These boys are bonded, and need to be adopted together. They always play together, sit together, sleep together, eat together, you get the idea. It’s funny, because sometimes while playing they are so vocal it sounds like they are fighting, but it’s actually all “talk” lol. They do love to play, and are very high energy pups, running through the house at full speed, chasing each other, and playing with their toys together is their favorite things to do. When they finally get tired, (and they do!) their second favorite thing to do is cuddle up together or pile up on your lap! But….be forewarned, they will get up on tables, and Foster Mom has been working on household manners and boundaries, but in the mean time, she has kept her table tops clear from things they can get into or knock over! They can get into mischief, so you’ll need to puppy proof your home like you would do with a toddler especially with any wires on the floor to keep them safe. These 2 think whatever’s left on the floor is fair game, and theirs! The boys are not house trained, and Foster Mom has them in belly bands for the time being and is working with them on their house training. It’s clear they have never been in a home where love was felt and no rules were in place. Their future home must absolutely be committed to continue all training so they can be the best boys we know they can be. Yes, they are adorable, but it’s going to take time and commitment from the right family. Due to their real high energy level, it’s best they go into a young, active family who can keep up with their antics and someone who is home more often than not is a must. They are slowly learning about leash walks, they are just now comfortable in their harnesses. Another clue they’ve simply not had a good start in life, but we will make sure their new “fur”ever home will have and give them everything they need and deserve. A single family home with a secure fenced in yard is a must for them, sorry, no exceptions because it is what’s best for the boys. They are neutered, microchipped, current on vaccines and are on heartworm and flea prevention. If you think these boys might be for you and you can meet all their needs, please visit www.viprescue.org to fill out an adoption application. Application form: https://viprescue.org/application-to-adopt

Available for Adoption VIPRescue.org Dog names: Betty Jo Dob: 5-7-19 Breed: ShihTzu / Chihuahua mix Weight: 15 lbs Gender: Female House Trained: Yes Location: Redington Beach. FL Good with dogs: Yes, similar size Good with kids: unknown, 12+ patient & respectful Color: Black/Grey and small patch of white Fence: Recommended, we want her to have as much freedom as possible. Please read ENTIRE bio before completing an application to adopt. Betti Jo arrived at VIP Rescue with 2 little girls in tow from one of her many litters. Betty Jo is a 5 year old Shih Tzu / Chihuahua mix weighing in at15 lbs! Rescued from a hoarder/breeder, Betti Jo arrived just in time to VIP Rescue with life-threatening Pyometra. Betti Jo was immediately spayed, received a much needed dental and extractions. Due to trying to escape her miserable past life confined in a crate, many of her front teeth are gone. We celebrated with Betti Jo that day! No more babies, no more living in a crate, and it is time to spoil Betti Jo! Betti Jo is learning all about human contact, cuddles, now sleeping with a human, and enjoying a lap of love. While Betti Jo is absorbing all this love, she is still shy, still a little nervous, and we take things at her pace. Each day she is learning to trust more. We are preparing her to be adopted soon to a patient person; she is now healthy, and ready to become someone’s princess. Betti Jo is a patient mother to her pups, Billi Jo and Bobbi Jo. She is their jungle gym, their chew toy, they climb all over her, and sleep with her. She is housetrained and learning to walk on a leash. We have started giving her one on one time, and relieving her of her motherly duties. Each day she makes social progress and is loving all the attention, but this takes time…..and on her terms. Betti Jo’s future home must absolutely be patient, teaching her to trust, and be committed to showing her all the love she deserves so she can be the best girl we know she can be. We would love to see her go to a home where someone is home more often than not. She is learning what toys are. A fenced yard is recommended- we want her to have as much freedom as possible since she has been confined to a crate most of her life. She loves to hang out in the shade with you and she really enjoys the fresh air. A single-family home would be best. Betti Jo has found her voice and likes to bark as neighbors go walking by. She could be your one and only dog, or if you have another small dog that is submissive and mild mannered, that may work. As for kids, 12 plus and respectful of her space and patient would be considered. Betti Jo is spayed, a fresh dental, microchipped, heartworm negative, current on vaccines and is on heartworm and flea prevention. If you think this shy sweet girl might be for you, please visit www.viprescue.org to fill out an adoption application. Adoption Requirements: You must be a Florida resident, and be at least 25 years of age to adopt. To qualify for adoption, all of the pets in your home must be spayed or neutered, be current on all vaccines, preventatives, and have received consistent veterinary care. If you’ve had more than one Vet in the past 3 years, please provide all the names and number for each vet. This breed typically lives 15-18 years, so please keep that lifespan in mind, as your age should be appropriate for the pets estimated lifespan. All of us at VIP Rescue are Volunteers, with families, jobs and pets of our own, so please be kind and patient. We select the most fitting application for the dog, not necessarily the timeliest adoption application. Please make sure to read the entire bio on the pet you’re interested in before applying to adopt to make sure you meet the pets needs. Thank you for thinking rescue. Application form: https://viprescue.org/application-to-adopt

Meet Linus – the sweetest little pup you’ll ever meet! He’s a total cuddle bug and will follow you around everywhere you go. He does have a bit of a yappy side, but we’ve got a shock collar on him. He’s super smart, though, and knows the drill – once it’s on, he quiets right down, so it never even vibrates or shocks him. Inside, I usually keep him in a diaper just to avoid any accidents (he's a bit of a pee-er if not kept in check). Now, Linus isn’t the best fit for a home with small, wild kids – or really, other dogs. He can be a little territorial and gets easily hyped up. Which brings us to why we’re looking for a new home for him. We have young kids, and it’s just not the best environment for Linus right now. We’re also out of the house a lot, and he really deserves a lot of attention and love. It’s a hard decision, but we want what’s best for him. He’s got a brother, Charlie (a 12-year-old Maltipoo). Ideally, we’d love to keep them together. If interested, I’ll waive one fee.

Dansoy will be 2 years old on 02/14/2025 He is a sweet,dosile,loving dog that needs a great deal of continous attention and patients. We accepted him from a couple that could not train him due to what seems to be seperation anxiety disorder. I have experience in training dogs. We have another Shih Tzu that we adopted at 12 months old after being abandoned. He trained easy and adapted well. Dansoy understands his routine; however if you leave him say in the bedroom and close the door just to go to another room for a few mintues or if you leave him to go run a few errands that you can't take him to, he will soil your bed and or carpet. Dansoy needs a retired female or couple that will prioritize him as thier only pet. They need to be able to keep him with them most of the time without fail. I suggest consulting a professional that could analize him and possibly assist in retraining him. He is a beatuiful sweet boy. He loves clinging to Mommy mostly, but also warms up adorably to Daddy.

Adopted from Tampa Humane Society October 2023. He was poorly groomed when we adopted him. Our groomer has worked with him and is able to groom him with slight medication sedation. He unexpectedly had his first seizure in December 2023. He is on medication for seizure disorder now and has very infrequent seizures. We use peanut butter to administer his medications 3 times a day. Medications cost about $50 per month at Walmart. He is not good with our other two dogs. He is toy jealous and will be aggressive with them if they approach his toys. He is best suited as an only pet. Also not tolerant of small active children. Banjo is playful, and will fetch a ball. He loves walks on the leash. He requires toys such as balls and chew toys and uses them to self sooth. Banjo knows and responds to his name. Currently he is an inside dog with free outside access through a doggie door to a fenced yard. He needs more training to be fully housebroken. He will use puppy pee pads indoors.