Summer

Shih Tzu

3yo-  DOB 09/15/21   

14lbs

Spayed/Microchipped

UTD on vaccinations

Current on flea & heartworm prevention

Adoption Donation: $500 (tax deductible)

Please read the bio in its ENTIRETY. If you feel your family is a perfect match, please send an email to gateway4paws@gmail.com for additional information. Only complete & qualified applications will be considered/contacted. 

We do not allow shipping & do not transport. You must live within 350 miles from Maryville, IL & able to drive there for a meet and greet. We are a 100% foster-based rescue. Applications & FAQ about our adoption process can be found here on our website.

Summer came into our program as a breeder release, still pretty young. Her dad is also in our program & featured for adoption on our website, his name is Hershey! (Check him out, too! Wouldn't it be cool if they found a home together.) 

When Summer came into her foster home, she was a bit spicy. She was confused, she wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not. She was very timid & scared. Boy, has she really changed, she has flourished & bloomed! Once so scared, she willingly goes to her foster mom & seeks companionship & cuddles from her. 

She will do best in a calm, low activity home. A home that is willing to patiently allow her to adjust & get used to her forever environment.  Going into a new home will be another change for Summer, but she is very brave & we know that she will successfully make the transition if given a chance.  

She will do best learning from other 4-legged siblings, we would like to see her find a home with some friends of similar size & energy level. She follows her foster siblings around, she likes to play with them very gently, no rough housing. She also enjoys chewing on bones & will keep herself content while doing so. In her foster home, she has proven to be 100% house trained. We are so proud of her. With that said, her new family must understand she could have a few accidents until she gets her new routine down. Please be prepared to give her ample opportunity for success, praise her when she does it right, & be patient with her. 

Summer does great wearing a harness. But that's it. She will wear the harness like a diamond necklace, but she refuses to walk on leash. We know that eventually she will have a breakthrough, but it is not right now!  Therefore, for her safety (& for her to be able to do her potty business immediately upon adoption), a secure physical fence yard is required.  An aluminum or slat type of fencing will need a gap filler around the bottom half so she can't get through, something like galvanized wire mesh or another sturdy mesh type material.   She isn't an outdoor adventure dog; she doesn't need a big yard.  But she does need a very secure area to do her potty business. Never EVER should she be left in the yard alone. 

If you don't have another dog, please consider adopting Hershey & Summer. They get along famously, they love each other! We look forward to matching Summer with her forever family soon!