Isn't Gramps adorable? He is very friendly and calm. Gramps has a cataract forming in one of his eyes which makes his vison limited. He isn't very active and spends most of his day sleeping on a blacket or enjoying someone's lap. Gramps qualifies for our Seniors for Seniors program so he is only $75 when adopted by a senior.

Foster update 4/19: Gramps came to us from animal control after her was surrendered by his owner for unknown reasons. He had a terrrible cold and basically slept for the first 5 days with us. After some TLC and some medication he has really livin' up! I Just had to take the poor little boy home as he reminded me so much of a female shih i fostered several months ago whom looked and acted just like Gramps. Gramps has truely surprised me with his energy and fistyness! Gramps has been in my home for about 1-2 weeks and has transitioned very easily into a pretty crazy household. He does well with my 2 other larger breed adult dogs (shepard and beagle mixes) and also does well with my other foster dog, a 3 month year old puppy. He also enjoys the company of my two cats! Gramps is truely a sweet heart and loves being with his people. Because of his limited vision and his older age, i would say he is slow but steady. He is always trying to follow me around the house and if he falls behind, get lost or stuck will bark until i come rescue him. His bark is just like his personality, not very loud, slow and a bit muted. His teeth are in good condition but he enjoys eating soft homecooked foods like rice, white fish, chicken, and chicken soup. I usually make him some sort of mix between the above and some heated wet dog food. Because he is so thin i have been feeding him 3 times per day as much as he will eat! I think gramps would do well in a quiet home with someone home often. He really loves being with people and will bark until he is picked up and cuddled! He can not jump up, get on the furniture or go up and downstairs. I carry him up and down the stairs coming into and out of my home as well as left him up on the sofa and bed at night. He sleeps very well right next to my on my bed (along with all the other dogs and cats). Gramps is housetrained but if you don't watch him or don't take him outside and wait for him to go to the bathroom in the morning and at night he will relieve himself in the house.  Otherwise GRAMPs is a great dog!

The perfect home for gramps is with someone whom will love him in his older years, let him out at least 3-4 times per day..he isn't much of a long distance walker so could even go with someone whom had mobility issues..he is so slow when he walks i think he would do well with someone whom also needs to walk slow. He is good with other dogs and cats but i think small children would be a bit much for him. Because of his limited vision he can't truely see you until you get close and then sometimes he is fightened.  He sleeps often and doesn't play much anymore but loves to warm your lap and snooze with you on the sofa!


Are you unfamiliar with the Shih Tzu breed? Pronounced SHEET-sue, they are known as alert, spunky, happy and hardy. They are bred with an underbite which gives them a constant "smile." Traditionally, their coat is kept long, with ears blending into the body, distinct mustache, and a top knot secured with a bow. However, in our Florida climate, many are clipped short to relieve them of the heat. An alert watch dog, Shih Tzus like to bark but are usually quiet in the house. Originally from China, they were a favorite of the Imperial Chinese court and so revered that for many years after the Chinese began trading with the West, they refused to sell, or even give away, any of the little dogs. It was not until 1930 that the first pair was imported to England. The life expectancy of Shih Tzus in 16 years.