Mattie - Grey brindle Shih-Tzu

by Mary Weiss
(Florissant, MO, US)

Rehoming a Rescue Dog

Rehoming a Rescue Dog

Mattie is a rescue dog and given to my family through a friend. We brought her home in July 2015.

One morning as we were getting ready to leave for the weekend, we let Mattie outside in the backyard. She got out of our yard and always returned home when called, but this time she didn't.

We hung flyers everywhere and posted on social media, no calls or sightings found. It wasn't until we put flyers on each of our neighbors' doors, we received a call two days later.

Our Mattie 🐕 was found only two doors down from our home. Mattie had been attacked and killed by our neighbors' Pit Bulls.

We were devastated and angry that she just laid in their yard for six days without any knowledge of where she was.

We had Mattie for only three years. It's been extremely hard to let her go, and it will take more time to get over this tragedy.

-----------------------------------------------------
Hi, Janice Here from Miracle Shih Tzu
-----------------------------------------------------

Thank you for sharing your very sad story of Mattie. She sounds like she was a very sweet and devoted member of your family. I know she will be missed.

Maybe someday you'll be ready to open your heart to another rescue dog. They need people like you to love and care for them.

We do feel your pain.

In the meantime, this can be a lesson for all of us, myself included. Shih Tzu dogs are so devoted and loyal that we sometimes forget that they have a mind of their own, just like any other dog.

The unthinkable can happen in just a few seconds, and most people are not able to move quickly enough to prevent tragedies like this. This is especially true when you have a dog that has always remained by your side. But they can do unexpected things. Running off or just exploring is one of those things.

Securely fenced yards are the best protection but when you don't have that luxury, always keep your eyes on your dog when outside and better yet, use a leash to keep them safe.

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Shih Tzu Rainbow Bridge.

I hold an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a Master's in Mental Health Counseling.

I'm a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Though Shih Tzu is my favorite breed, I've also lived with Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Beagles, English Bulldogs, Carin Terriers, and a Cocker Spaniel. Little critters that shared my space included guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters, mice, tropical fish, and birds. (Oh, and one crayfish and hermit crab that my daughter brought home from school)

When not writing, reading, and researching dog-related topics, I love spending time with my 6 Shih Tzu dogs, husband, and family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Small Dog Place and Smart-Knit-Crocheting. Please visit my other two sites or send me a note.