Hi my name is Harry. I am a 2 year old male Shih-Tzu/Poodle mix with gorgeous hair and beautiful
brown eyes. I have a long body and short legs, weighing in at about 18 pounds. My past is unknown as my previous owner
surrendered me to the shelter because they didn't have enough time for me; at least that is what they said. It could
have been because they found out about my unique heart which I think just makes me extra special. You see, I have
severe degenerative mitral disease which is causing mitral regurgitation. All those big fancy words just mean that
my mitral valve is leaky and this causes a little blood flow to get backed up in my heart. You wouldn't have a clue
just looking at me, and right now it doesn't bother me one bit.
The nice people at SBRET took me to a cardiologist
who looked at my heart with an ultrasound, it was really cool! Thanks to these guys I now know what makes me so
special. They said that one day in the future I will show signs that my heart is getting a little too big (from all
the love I have to give) and I will start to cough, have a harder time taking long walks, and probably sleep more
but that will hopefully be a couple of years. Those nice doctors did make me sad when they told me I may not make
it past my seventh birthday, but then I just realized that means I just have to start cramming a lot of fun things
in the next couple of years like taking walks in the park, smelling flowers, chasing bugs, playing with other dogs,
and my favorite; cuddling! I already have a long list of things I can't wait to experience.
I hope that my special heart doesn't scare you away. If you meet me you will see why my foster mom is always calling
me "Harry with the big heart". I love people and other dogs! I enjoy playing with toys and following my foster mom
around from room to room, I can't miss out on anything! I am learning to take walks on a leash, I'm not a fast mover
but I am catching on fast trying to keep up with the other dogs. I like to be brushed and that is a necessity as my
hair mats really easy. I will sleep in the crate but not for long as I would much rather cuddle up next to you. I do
bark sometimes but usually just when I am really excited like when my foster mom comes home, or if I see another dog
outside. Best of all, I am potty trained. I have not been around young children so an adult home or one with kids
over 12 would be best.
So if you think I am just as special as I must say myself and you want to take on caring for me and my big heart then
contact the folks at SBRET. I will require follow-up visits to the cardiologist every 6 months to make sure I don't
need medication. This is a serious condition that is going to shorten my life expectancy. So that just means whoever
decides to adopt me is going to be just as extra special as I am and will make sure I have a great life!
