Mr. Russell Shih Tzu & Lhasa Apso Mix Fort Montgomery, NY

Russell’s Backstory:

Russell was taken into an overcrowded animal control facility where they euthanize due to lack of space. Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to get him out safely to give him a second chance at life.

Russell arrived with one solid mat from head to toe. It looked as if he had never been groomed in his short life. He’s had humans be kind to him at some point in life, though he experienced some serious neglect to be in such a state. This all changed with us.

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Get to Know Russell:

Age: 1-2 years
Weight: 14.5 pounds
Neutered: yes

Breed and Hair Notes

Russell has hair and not fur. He is a stunning Lhasa Apso and possibly Shih Tzu blend.

PLEASE NOTE: Russell’s hair will grow indefinitely, and he will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost that these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care.


Current Vaccines and Tests:
Rabies vaccine: yes
Distemper vaccine: yes
Bordetella vaccine: yes
Canine coronavirus vaccine: yes
Flea and tick prevention: yes
Heartworm test: yes, negative
Fecal test: negative
De-wormer treatment: yes


Additional Medical Care:
Bloodwork: November, 2024. Overall normal ranges with initial slight anemia due to being underweight. This will change as he gets great nutrition and exercise.
Dental: October, 2024 dental cleaning.
Grooming: Russell was just de-matted and groomed. Considering how matted he was, he was incredibly patient and well behaved through all of it. He even gave the groomer kisses of gratitude during the entire haircut. He wagged his tail and enjoyed all of the attention. It also felt great to get all the wretched mats off his skin!

Potty trained: yes
Russell knows how to use indoor potty pads and has good aim, too! He also loves going outside to play, and he will go potty while outdoors, too. He will adjust to your preferences and schedule. Just give it time.


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Personality:

Russell has a wonderful mix of quietness and gentleness about him. At the same time, he loves being playful and is exuberant about life! He likes to chase his tail, especially now that he can move freely about and is not confined from the tight matting on his skin!

Russell’s joy for life is evident whenever he steps foot out into the sanctuary garden to run back and forth in it.

He is so in want of a person. He seeks out attention and asks for hugs and kisses. He gives them back in abundance.

Russell likes to meet humans, and so far he seems to think everyone is a friend and not a potential foe.

He also gets along with other fosters here in the sanctuary, provided they are gentle and congenial, too. We have seen him try to play with one of the older dogs here. He would enjoy having a playmate or two or three. We can also see him thriving in a home where he is the only dog in the family, provided he has a lot of opportunity to interact with dog friends.

He is very smart and quick to learn. We have been working on his manners, and he has mastered “sit” and the recall word “here” so far. He just caught on to playing fetch, and he thinks bringing the ball back to us is the best thing ever now! He will LOVE training classes and thrive in them.

Foundational skills training sessions with a certified professional trainer are required for Russell’s adoption. It’s just a few courses, and they are a lot of fun. Sammy is SO smart and eager to please. He will thrive in such classes, and they will ensure a successful transition into his lifetime family and home.


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What Russell needs in his lifetime family. Is it you?


Stability and Abundant Love

Russell absolutely adores people. He would love to have his people around most of the time. If you work outside the home, he could handle your absence for a few hours a day. But he wants to be your sidekick. Are you headed out to run an errand? He’d love to come with you. He’s a good traveler in the car, and he likes to meet people.

At night, plan on sharing your sofa with him as you relax. He will want to sleep near you through the night, too. This keeps him calm and happy. Crating is not an option with Russell.

Because of his past experience with neglect and humans being unkind to him, it is best for Russell to be in a home that has adults and older children who have experience around dogs.


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. We place the dogs we save into lifetime families. With this in mind, we seek families 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 ailments. We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family, and they will do whatever it takes to give them what they need. Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application!


Requested adoption donation fee is a minimum of $650. This is to partly cover his medical expenses that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue incurred to give him a second chance at life.