Joan (Joan and Sylvia)

Shih Tzu

5 years, Female, Extra Small

Mama Joan and her babies got off to a rough start. This family was passed through a couple of homes before they were surrendered to Rico with Parvo. They were all treated, and they all recovered!

Joan weighs 18 lbs and her estimated age is about 3 years old. 

Joan is crate-trained, gets along with the foster's resident dogs and seems to have been loved by someone at one time.  She would love her own human to snuggle with on the couch and live her best life! 

Joan is especially fond of women. Joan LOVES her puppies and was the perfect protective Mama as she was passed through homes and treated at vets. Joan has attached herself to her foster mom so we know that she can form meaningful attachments with people. Joan is very friendly and just wants to be near her people.

When Joan was placed on a trial adoption, it became evident that she was extremely attached to her puppies and would not do well separated from all of them. Therefore, Rico would prefer for Joan to be adopted together with her daughter, Sylvia.

Sylvia is tiny (8.5 lbs.), and very agile. She has made progress trusting humans; however, she still has a way to go. Sylvia initially squirmed away from her fosters as far as she could go and would not take food from their hands. Now she checks each finger for a treat, curls up next to her fosters to sleep on the couch, plays with her fosters, and lets her fosters rub her belly or scratch her back. Sylvia is not a fan of being picked up, but she will tolerate it since she knows a treat will follow. Her date of birth is 12.7.24.

Both Joan and Sylvia are making great progress at potty training with scheduled potty times outside and a pocketful of treats. Both dogs make eye contact with their foster mom to make sure she is watching while they do their business and then run to her for a treat after.

A fence is a must for these pups. They are not comfortable going potty while on leash.

These pups would be the perfect addition to the right home. Until then, her foster parents will love them to pieces. 

You can apply to meet Joan and her daughter Sylvia at ricopetrecovery.org.