Critter Details

Backstory for Marty Animal Saints Rescue Society was asked to Marty when he found himself at an animal control facility that euthanizes due to lack of space. He was an owner surrender and dropped off when his people decided they did not have the time for him. He lived with eight cats, a few dogs, and young children. He coexisted peacefully with them all. He arrived at the facility bewildered.  Animal Saints exists to help Saints like Marty who land in such facilities through no fault of their own. It is our duty as a society to give dignity and respect to the older gems like Marty instead of discarding them. He recently arrived to our sanctuary to get all of the medical care he needs. Now that we have gotten to know his personality, he has shown us what he needs in a family. He is so ready to be placed in his lifetime home and get the undivided attention he deserves!  Get to Know Marty age: 7-10 range breed: Shih Tzu with Poodle  weight: 14-15 pound range Vaccines:  Rabies  DHPP Bordetella  Corona/flu  Lepto Other Tests and Procedures:  Neutered  4DX test (passed and tested negative for heartworm, lyme, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis)   Dental cleaning in September, 2026  Bloodwork September, 2026 – Mostly within normal ranges. Some elevated liver levels, most likely due to him being very much in need of a dental. We are giving him some nutritional supplements to get the levels back to normal.  Additional procedures and treatments:  • Microchipped • Flea/tick preventive treatment, heart worm prevention, and dewormer  • First positive reinforcement training sessions  • Several baths and grooms  • eye exam shows the beginning stages of lenticular sclerosis, which is a normal age-related change in the lens of the eyes. It creates a bluish-gray hue in the center of the pupil. He has sight, and he gets around well. This change in pupil is typical in dogs in the age range of 7-9, which is why our veterinarian expects he is in this age range. He also has great energy and enthusiasm for life, indicative of a healthy adult canine.  A certificate of veterinary inspection to confirm good health is provided with his medical records. Requested adoption donation fee is only $800. This is to partly cover the costs of care that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue has incurred. On average, Animal Saints’ cost to save a life through our nonprofit exceeds $2,000 per Saint. We do our best to keep our adoption requests as reasonable as possible to encourage more people to adopt.   Breed and Hair Notes  Marty has hair and not fur. He is a darling mix of grey and white hair. He has a slight curl in his hair, similar to a Poodle. His hair is so soft a beautiful! PLEASE NOTE: Marty’s hair will grow as it is not fur. He will need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Only apply if you understand the additional maintenance and cost these dear hair-not-fur souls need and are willing to commit to life for such care. Marty is agreeable to bath time and is getting used to being in the bathtub and on the grooming table. He is patient through the entire process and appreciates treats for his job well done.   Personality Marty was shy when we first pulled him to safety from animal control. Now, he greets all of the volunteers in our sanctuary with such sweetness and an eagerness to connect. Since coming into our care, Mario has met every Animal Saint with a kind hello. He has made friends with two other fosters in our sanctuary named Milo and Mira. He gets a kick out of their energy, and he likes to play along with them.   Don’t let Marty’s gentlemanliness make you think he’s only a laidback bloke, ready to cuddle on the couch. Yes, he will give his lifetime family this in spades. In addition to his delightful demeanor, this dear Saint knows how to have fun and seeks it out! During our training sessions with him, he can enthusiastically jump for a treat! We are currently working on “sit,” recall word “here,” and “look.” We expect his new family to continue his training sessions.  Basic foundational skills training sessions with a certified professional positive reinforcement trainer are required for Marty’s adoption. Just a few classes are needed, and they are fun. It’s an excellent way to connect with your newly adopted Saint, too.  Here is a short film, featuring Marty’s handsomeness in one of his training sessions: https://vimeo.com/1246432059 Ideal Home It is ideal for Marty to be in a home with people who are around most of the time. He will especially thrive in a home that can give him companionship day and night.  Older children are case by case — only those who have experience living with dogs, understand dog behavior, and have great respect and love for them will be considered.  Marty loves having canine friends and would transition well into a home with another agreeable Animal Saint(s). He would be quite lonely on his own. If he was in a home as an only dog, he would very much need canine friends around the neighborhood. He gets a kick out them, even though his primary focus is to love humans. Plan on sharing your sofa and bedroom with Marty. He will want to be by your side, no matter where you are and what you are doing. Also, no crates for Marty. If they are a must for your lifestyle, then he is not for you.  If you have a very secure fenced-in backyard or outdoor space where he can bound about safely outside, this would be ideal. Marty is excelling in his loose leash training sessions. He is ready to head out for a walk or a romp in his backyard! He’s also ready to curl up on the sofa next his people, savoring the safe and loving home they’ve given him. He’s so full of life and love. It’s so easy to fall in love with Marty!  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. Our goal is to place the dogs we save into lifetime families.  With this in mind, we seek adopters 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 needs.  We are looking for the empathetic, kind, and patient humans in this world who view these Animal Saints as family. They don't believe animals are subordinates or view them as mere possessions; they are partners in life. They are committed to giving them the safety and love they need to flourish.  Will that family be you? We look forward to finding out and receiving your application!