Theodore is a Shih Tzu, a tiny white dog with tons of fluff ! Though he looks sweet and unassuming, he can be quite the troublemaker! Family members tell me, if you leave something out, like a TV remote, a pencil, or anything small enough to fit in Theo’s mouth, he’ll steal it. The only way you can get him to give it back is to give him a treat. Unfortunately, he sees this as ‘If I steal items, they’ll give me a treat in return.” So anytime he wants a treat, he’ll steal something. Once he swallowed a chess piece after stealing it.  The family had to watch and make sure he would pass it. Ever since then the family is wary of putting things on low tables.

 

The Doyle family adopted Theo from the Oklahoma Westie Rescue in 2022. They believe he is about four years old. Initially, they went to see a different dog, but they met Theo and they felt he was a good fit for their family. From the beginning, he felt very comfortable and safe to sit in their laps.  Susan says she believes Theodore really picked them. He has always been friendly, sweet and is very protective of the family. He tends to bark a lot at the mail carrier and visitors and this is a behavior that is improving with training. Theo can be wary of strangers due to possible past trauma. Susan describes him as a “Velcro Dog”, always sticking by the family’s side. It takes time for him to warm up to new people and other animals. Theo gets excited by other dogs and wants to play with them, but can be unsure about how to interact. 

 

Theo loves treats, peanut butter and new toys. He certainly doesn’t take long to get used to new toys. He loves all toys, but he especially enjoys tennis balls and his squeaky doughnut toy. His favorite activities are playing fetch and going on walks around the neighborhood. His favorite surface is his soft blanket and he favorite spot to relax is on the sofa or a sunny spot on the area rug. 

Susan says that her favorite part of having a dog is that he gives unconditional love. She calls him her “baby boy” or “pookie” which is a term of endearment in her family. He needs the Doyle Family to take care of him, and he takes care of them in return with affection and understanding. He’s like a permanent toddler, Susan says, and as the girls get older, it’s nice to have someone less independent. She loves taking care of Theo and being around him, he’s loving and sweet, even though he’s a little bit of a troublemaker.