Reston Pet of the Week: Beanie

This week’s Pet of the Week is a shelter Shih-Tzu named Beanie, who was proudly adopted two years ago. Here is what owner Emily has to say about how she found her pal, who was formerly named Sherman:

Not often do you find Shih-Tzu’s at the animal shelter, but one morning as I was searching the Loudoun County Animal Shelter website, a scraggly brown Shih-Tzu named Sherman was listed as available after being surrendered.

The poor thing had hair longer than my own and he had total fear and confusion in his eyes. I immediately dragged my parents to the shelter to see what this poor little dog was like and if he could be a playmate to our other Shih-Tzu, Bella. As we were heading back to look at him, another family with several kids came in asking to see Sherman as well. I smiled knowing we had beat them to it! We took Sherman to one of those private viewing rooms and he immediately rolled over to his back and let us pet him all over. He looked exactly like a wookie — and smelled like one too!

After adopting Sherman, we quickly renamed him Beanie because he was a jumping bean. We have had Beanie for two years now, and he has been the best dog we could ask for. Although we have been through many health scares with him, including eye ulcers, eyelid surgery and countless trips to the vet, I know that he is living the best life he can.

I have never had a dog that was so grateful for a new life and has ever loved being cuddled and held like a baby. He is so happy now and receives compliments wherever he goes. We have thankfully cleaned up his wookie hair-do but now looks like an ewok!

I can’t imagine why he was given up but so grateful he was. I can’t picture my life without Beanie and hope that I can spend many more years watching him run around the house chasing our cat.

Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?

Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.