Bueller

Backstory for Bueller Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to help with an owner surrender involving several Shih Tzu. Their former person was having emergency medical issues that were life-threatening, and she was not well enough to take care of them. Our nonprofit became the safety net for these incredible Shih Tzu. Animal Saints is here to help so the Saints do not end up in overcrowded government animal control facilities. They recently arrived to our sanctuary to get all of the medical care they need. Now that we have gotten to know their personalities and they have shown us what they need in a family, they are ready to be placed in their lifetime homes. Get to Know Bueller age: 9 (4.10.2017) breed: Shih Tzu weight: 16.5 pounds Vaccines: Rabies DHPP Bordetella Corona/flu Other Tests and Procedures: Neutered 4DX test (passed and tested negative for heartworm, lyme, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis) Dental cleaning and tooth extractions in June, 2026 Bloodwork April, 2026 - Mostly within normal ranges and nothing concerning. Additional procedures and treatments: • Microchipped • Flea/tick preventive treatment, heartworm prevention, and dewormer • First positive reinforcement training sessions • Several baths and grooms A good health certificate will be provided with his medical records. Bueller arrived overweight with stiffness in his joints from not getting exercise. Since being in our care, we have seen an incredible transformation. He has lost over 3 pounds. He can now jump and run in ways he could not when he first arrived. It is so special to see him doing so well! Requested adoption donation fee is only $800. This is to partly cover the costs of care that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue has incurred. On average, Animal Saints’ cost to save a life through our nonprofit exceeds $2,000 per Saint. We do our best to keep our adoption requests as reasonable as possible to encourage more people to adopt. Breed and Hair Notes Bueller has hair and not fur. He is a stunning and rare Brindle Shih Tzu with a blend of brown, tan, and black hair. PLEASE NOTE: Bueller’s hair will grow as it is not fur. He will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Bueller is terrific for grooms now. He was frightened of the water at first, but now he realizes that it feels good and likes to be pampered. He gives kisses while he’s on the grooming table, showing gratitude for the attention he needs. Personality Bueller is a deeply soulful and loving Animal Saint. His eyes speak of the depth of his love and eagerness to connect. He is shy initially and is hesitant around men at first. Once he realizes he is safe, he is exuberant with his affection. He is as gentle as they come. His hugs make us melt. He knows we are helping him, and he shows us his gratitude every day. Bueller seems to have been quite sheltered and has not had a lot of interaction with many humans. Once he gains confidence and follows the lead of his person, we know he will come out of his shell. It will be rewarding for his new person to watch him flourish! Bueller has gladly taken on the “big brother” role with the newcomers. The younger Saints look to him in awe and crave his attention and affection. He is very patient with the rest of the boys and his flat mates. Note: we do NOT have kennels here. Rather, we assign flats, or well-appointed apartments, to every Animal Saint we help. Bueller lets the others cuddle up to him and sleep on him. Bueller takes their attention and admiration in stride. While he loves being around other canines, what he really wants more than anything is his person. He has taken to the director here at the sanctuary, and he dances with joy when he sees her. We know this will easily transition to his new person. When we find the ideal match for him, he’ll be dancing and asking for hugs and kisses in no time. Bueller LOVES to give kisses on the cheek and will reach up from the floor to try and offer them. He is so very affectionate and sweet. Bueller is getting familiar with a harness and leash. We are working on “sit,” recall word “here,” and “look.” We expect his new family to continue his training sessions. Basic foundational skills training sessions with a certified professional positive reinforcement trainer are required for Tollie’s adoption. Just a few classes are needed, and they are fun. It’s an excellent way to connect with your newly adopted Saint, too. You can enjoy meeting Bueller in this short film: https://vimeo.com/ Ideal Home It is ideal for Bueller to be in a home with people who are around most of the time. He will especially thrive in a home that can give him companionship day and night. Older children are case by case — only those who have experience living with dogs, understand dog behavior, and have great respect and love for them will be considered. As mentioned, Bueller enjoys canine companionship. His goal, though, is to have a person in his life 24/7. Plan on sharing your sofa and bedroom with Bueller. He will want to be by your side, no matter where you are and what you are doing. Also, no crates for Bueller. If they are a must for your lifestyle, then Bueller is not for you. If you have a very secure fenced-in backyard or outdoor space where he can bound about safely outside, this would be ideal but not required. Bueller is a quieter gent, and he would prefer the countryside over NYC life. Bueller will enjoy going for walks, once he is comfortable in a harness and leash. He is getting used to it, and he is enjoying his time outside. Love and Commitment At Animal Saints Rescue Society, our goal is to keep dogs out of overcapacity animal control facilities and out of a re-homing cycle. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families. With this in mind, we seek adopters who understand that an adoption is a lifetime commitment. The families who adopt from us believe that love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Some humans still believe it’s okay to try out a dog for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years — then discard when they get bored or don’t want to deal with emotional or physical needs. We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish. Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application!