Adoption Area: East Tennessee

Nick needs:

• Someone home part of the day

• A house only—no apartments or shared-wall living (Nick has a very enthusiastic mealtime voice!)

• A potty routine with leash walks or a small fenced yard with supervision due to his tiny size

• Gentle children 13+

• Professional grooming about every 6 weeks Someone home part of the day

• Daily administration of eye medication for dry eye

Meet Pumpernickel, better known as Nick! 🐾

Nick is an adorable 11-year-old Shih Tzu weighing just 8 pounds. This little guy may be a senior, but he still has plenty of charm and knows exactly how to enjoy the good things in life—good meals, cozy spots, and a warm lap.

Nick’s coat is growing in nicely and will look beautiful with regular grooming. Like most Shih Tzus, he’ll need professional grooming about every six weeks along with brushing at home to keep his coat looking its best.

Nick has dry eye, it’s a condition where his eyes don’t produce enough tears. He is on Cyclosporine ointment that is put in his eyes everyday and he is a good boy for adding the ointment in his eyes. The cost of the medication averages out to $11 to $15 a month. Nick recently had a dental and now has just two teeth—but that doesn’t slow him down at all. He happily eats dry kibble without any trouble and never misses a meal. He does have a grade 4–5 heart murmur, but chest x-rays show his heart is not enlarged and he currently does not require medication.

He does well going outside on a potty schedule and may occasionally wear a belly band. Nick gets along with the dogs and cats in his foster home, though he prefers not to share lap space and is learning good manners about that.

Nick is neutered, microchipped, up-to-date on vaccinations, and on heartworm prevention. Because he’s a senior, his adoption fee is $100.

If you’re looking for a sweet little companion who will happily keep you company—and remind you when it’s dinner time—Nick might be your perfect match. ❤️🐾