"Second Chance"

A Complimentary

Monthly Newsletter

July 2024 / V8

Why Shop When You Can Adopt!

- A Second Chance for the Innocent

Featured Monthly Articles:

--Canine Community:

"Christmas In July"

The Hallmark Chanel has made it official - it's Christmas in July!

According to legend Christmas in July was first celebrated in 1933 at Keystone girls' camp in North Carolina as an occasion to exchange gifts, sing carols and celebrate the end of the summer season in an unconventional way. The day is usually recognized on July 25th, but is also sometimes celebrated on July 12th. In the Northern Hemisphere a Christmas in July celebration is deliberately ironic, the July climate is usually hot & either sunny or rainy with thunderstorms as opposed to cold and snowy conditions traditionally associated with Christmas. The seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere with winter falling in the months of June - August. Hallmark picked up the idea of Christmas in July as a marketing ploy to align with their popular Keepsake ornaments selling in July. The channel started showing Christmas in July movies in 2015.

Dogs typically do not recognize the Christmas season other than a change in their human's behavior. While the season does not usually lend itself to putting up Christmas decorations, we can still celebrate with summer parties, holiday cookies, wearing funny hats and doing arts & crafts. We here at the rescue think an "Ugly Sweater Contest" would be fun. Pull out your pup's "Ugly Christmas Sweater", dress him/her in it and send us a photo. Next month we will feature all photos and let you be the judge, who do you think get's the "Ugly Sweater Trophy"?

Contestant Photo Upload Form

--Safety Tip of the Month:

Forth of July Fireworks Safety

July is not only the season to celebrate Christmas in July, it is also the season we celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on 7/4/1776. Our celebrations include fireworks, picnics, BBQ's etc. Pets need special attention on July 4th to keep them safe. Many pets go missing on this day suffering from anxiety & trying to get away from the loud noises. Some basic tips to keep pets safe are:

Keep pets inside and put on soft music in your home
Use anxiety vests
Consult with you vet for anti-anxiety medications
Keep fireworks, sparklers and other flammables out of any possible place where pets could reach them

Keep your pets safe by planning ahead. Click on the button below for additional information on 4th of July pet safety.

Pet 4th of July Safety Tips

--Dog of the Month: Meet Edward

Whether It's July Or December Christmas Is All About Love!

Edward is a sweet 12-13 year old Shih Tzu that really needs a miracle this Christmas in July. This boy was dealt a tough sentence when he was left to roam the city streets alone and justifiably afraid of the many dangers that await a little dog alone "out there". Amazingly, he survived but is left with some pretty big challenges ahead. If your heart opens up, he will be a warm, cuddly and sweet companion, but one who has special needs. Edward is on meds for heart and lung issues, and he has limited vision and hearing. You can be Edward's Christmas in July miracle if you have the capabilities to care for this little guy. The rewards of adopting a senior special needs dog are countless, and I speak from experience. My husband and I adopted our Fluff Daddy (formerly Romeo) two years ago at age 13. He only had one eye, but had so much personality and love to give. I saw him on the video posted by Shih Tzu Rescue and knew his chances for being chosen were slim. He, together with our other two seniors, all have their individual health issues, but they know they are loved and give back so much love in return.

Edward needs a forever home where he can thrive and live the best life possible for the remainder of his years. Maybe there is someone out there that needs him as much as he needs them. Wouldn't it be nice to give the gift of love to a special dog this Christmas in July?

~~~Article by: Peggy Doepper

Adopt Edward

Testimonials

We have had several followers e-mail us since the newsletter began telling us about their gratitude and love for their shelter adopted dogs. We wanted to share those testimonials with you below.

Please send us your testimonials. We'd love to hear from you!

--We adopted our beloved Tiger Lily back in 2014. She immediately bonded with her big brother Gringo, and now that he turned blind from his diabetes she became his most dedicated nurse. Their mutual love melts our hearts every day!

--Florencia Verde

--We adopted Bear back in 2021. He was very agressive at first and not happy with most people, but he is like a different dog now. He is the sweetest, most loyal and most playful pup around. We think he is around 10 years old now; he still loves playing with his toys and "squeaking" his toys every day. We play ball every morning with his favorite tennis balls, he loves to run after the balls and keep them from us which is fun and very cute.

We love him SO much and we are grateful and thankful to have him. We are the "lucky ones" to have him join our lives. Thank you Shih Tzu Rescue for giving us our precious Bear!

--Nancy Bauer

--Why Donate?

It's Christmas (in July)!:

Please consider giving a Christmas gift to our pups:

$20 - Christmas Elf Level
$50 - Christmas Tree Level
$100 - Christmas Reindeer Level
Anything over $100 - Secret Santa Level

It is so rewarding to see the change in each dog once fed, treated and loved! Won't you help us be a part of their success....

Christmas in July Donation

Monthly Trivia Question:

What is the name of the 1940 movie that coined the term "Christmas In July"?

--NO CHEATING!!

We did not have a trivia winner last month. The correct answer to the question "Which US President declared Father's Day as an official US holiday" is Richard Nixon.

Thanks to all who participated in the trivia quiz - hopefully you all enjoy the challenge!

E-mail all trivia answers & birthdays to: loyalk9@icloud.com

Birthday Shout-Outs:

Does your fur baby have a birthday in the month of July? If so let us know and we will give a birthday shout-out in our next monthly newsletter.

Birthday Shout-outs: No additional June birthdays received.

Shih Tzu Rescue - About Us

Shih Tzu Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity devoted to rescuing and finding quality lifetime homes for Shih Tzu's and other small, medium and large companion dogs in South Florida. We are a "no kill" shelter and sanctuary housing dogs with special needs and who have not yet been adopted. The shelter and sanctuary was established in 1995 by Eric and Harriet Rickenback, a couple passionate about giving a second chance for the innocent!

Won't you become a part of our family by adopting a senior and/or special needs dog. If you cannot adopt please consider sponsoring a dog by sending in a recurring donation. You will be rewarded with licks & wags!

Learn More

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