Lucia

Meet Lucia! Lucia is a sweet 7-year-old Shih Tzu whose world changed suddenly when her devoted owner passed away unexpectedly. Lucia and her housemates came into rescue together, and now this gentle girl is starting the next chapter of her life with us. One very special part of Lucia's life is her sister, Gordita, whom she absolutely loves spending time with. The two girls share a sweet bond, and Lucia genuinely enjoys being alongside her sister. Her foster affectionately calls her "Dora the Explorer" because Lucia absolutely loves her walks, sniffing everything along the way and happily helping choose the route. She has a lower energy level overall, but getting outside to explore is one of her favorite things.Lucia is house trained and does well in her crate. She willingly goes into it on her own and is comfortable resting there for a few hours during the day as well as overnight. She also rides well in the car.She is currently living with an elderly small dog and does well with her both in the home and in the car. Lucia is described as submissive and has shown no aggression or concerning behavioral issues in her foster home.Lucia and Gordita are also wonderfully uninterested in chasing wildlife! Squirrels, rabbits, and even chickens don't seem to faze either of them. They simply ignore them and go about their business. While neither has been specifically tested with cats, based on this behavior, we suspect dog-savvy cats would likely be just fine with them, given appropriate introductions.More than anything, Lucia loves being close to her people. She follows her foster family around the house, enjoys cuddling and snuggling, and would thrive in a home where she can have plenty of companionship. She can be a little vocal when someone first comes into the house or occasionally from her crate, but she settles once she knows everything is okay.Lucia isn't particularly interested in toys. Her favorite enrichment is getting out into the world, taking leisurely walks, meeting people and dogs, and having plenty of time to sniff and explore.Lucia is healthy and currently on a weight-loss journey. She'll simply need her new family to continue providing a consistent diet, regular walks, and a healthy routine to help her reach and maintain a healthier weight.An apartment or house could both work well for Lucia as long as she gets regular walks and plenty of time with her people. After having her life turned upside down, Lucia is ready for the comfort and stability of a family to call her own.If you're looking for a gentle companion who will explore by your side and curl up with you afterward, Lucia may be your girl. This dog is up to date on vaccinations and is spayed or neutered. (Please note: Puppies under 3 months old may not be sterilized prior to adoption. If this is the case, your adoption coordinator will provide guidance on the process.) To adopt or learn more about this dog, you must complete an adoption application, which can be found on our website: www.sandypawsrescue.com. PLEASE READ: • If a dog or puppy is listed, they are currently available for adoption. However, they may already be pending an adoption, and their profile may not yet reflect this. • All information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the posting date. • Unless explicitly stated, Sandy Paws Rescue does not guarantee the breed of any dog. Breeds listed are educated guesses made by shelter staff, volunteers, or veterinarians. Many of our dogs are mixed breeds, often with pit bull-type genetics, resulting in a wide variety of physical traits and temperaments. Our dogs come from various situations, such as kill shelters, owner surrenders, or as strays. It is likely both parents were mixed breeds as well. Sandy Paws Rescue does not have a public shelter in Massachusetts. Our dogs reside in private foster homes or boarding kennels in the South until adopted. Many dogs are spoken for prior to transport or release from state-mandated isolation. For information on adoption fees, procedures, or FAQs, visit our website: www.sandypawsrescue.com. The FIRST step in adopting from Sandy Paws Rescue is to submit a completed adoption application.