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 Roger wanted a big dog and Jeannie had a lead from
a friend on a rescued English Cream Golden Retriever. Like a Golden
Retriever, an English Cream Golden Retriever is intelligent, loving,
and loyal. Both breeds are friendly and good-natured, but the
English Cream Golden Retriever tends to be more laid back making
them attractive to families with young children and elderly. While
this home scenario was not the case for the Bakken’s, Jeannie still
believed an English Cream Golden Retriever would be a great fit and
would fulfill Roger’s desire for a big dog.
Finding a family Shih Tsu breeder in Rend Lake, the Bakken’s decided
they would send a check after the holidays to secure a puppy in the
next litter. With a down payment they were guaranteed first pick.
With the two dogs in their sights, the Bakken’s were ready to adopt
their fur family. However, when Jeannie checked the rescue website
for the English Cream Golden Retriever, a picture of three Shih Tsu
puppies was the first thing listed, the check never got sent to the
Shih Tsu breeder.
Founded by Jean Ann Hert, Ruby’s is an animal shelter and boarding
facility. The non-profit rescue works on saving dogs, getting them
vetted, and finding forever homes. Adoptable dogs can be found on
their Face book page, Petfinder, and website:
www.rubysrescueandretreat.org. An adoption fee includes each dog
being vetted and receiving dentals. To adopt a potential forever
home, one must apply with two personal references and a vet
reference. Over 25,000 people follow Hert and her work with rescue
dogs.
The trio picture with Santa was on Ruby’s Face book page and Jeannie
fell in love at first sight. Hert was desperately trying to find
someone to adopt all three Shih Tzu’s instead of separating the
bonded pups.
All that is known about the former owner is that he went into an
unexpected coma and his mom decided it would be best to surrender
the puppies.
There were many people who requested to adopt one or two of the
dogs, but Hert was having trouble finding someone willing to take
all three. One applicant was approved and then backed out at the
last minute. At this point, there were many followers of Ruby’s
Rescue and Retreat who offered to help with adoption fees in order
to keep the puppies together.
Jeannie applied thinking she would never hear back about her
application. Shockingly, four days later she got an email from Hert
that the references had not responded. Jeannie contacted them
requesting a positive recommendation. It was soon after that she saw
on the Face book page, “Adoption Pending.” She said to Roger, “Do
you think she’s talking about us?”
As soon as Jeannie read, “You’ve been approved” she thought, “What
have I done?” Being super detailed, Jeannie started adding up the
pros and cons of having three dogs living in her house. It was hard
for her to believe that she was about to adopt three Shih Tzu’s.
Roger told her, “Let God decide. If He wants us to have them then
we’ll get them.” Her best friend told her to “stop over thinking
things.”
Truman, Jasmine and
Preston With encouragement from others,
the Bakken’s welcomed Truman, Preston and Jasmine into their home in
December 2019.
The Bakken’s weren’t sure they were going to be able to pick up the
puppies right away because they already had plans for Christmas and
New Year’s Eve. They were worried about getting the trio and leaving
them alone in the house for long periods of time. A dear friend and
neighbor, Bob Duvall, who had been invested in the adoption process,
offered to help with the puppies while the Bakken’s were busy. He
declared himself the “Dogfather” to the puppies and has been
involved since the first day the dogs were rescued.
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 Truman, the oldest, is nine years old. He is a
little overweight at 21 pounds, which is big for a Shih Tzu. He
prefers to play with humans, enjoying wrestling when it is offered
to him. As the Alpha male, he is a little more demanding than his
siblings and is having a little trouble adjusting to Roger, but
after 30 days things between the two are improving. When tired,
Truman sometimes acts like a cranky old man and is better off left
alone.
Preston is deaf. Likes to sleep with
his sister so he knows when it’s time to get up.
Preston is six years old. He is deaf and endeared to
his sister Jasmine. He is the orneriest of the three, allowing his
nose to get him into tight spaces he can’t get out of by himself. He
is a “daddy’s boy” and cries for Roger when he needs attention. The
Bakken’s are working on hand signals to communicate with Preston
since he can’t hear their verbal commands.
Jasmine, the only girl and sweetest of the Trio, is also the
youngest. She is happy to sit in someone’s lap and demand their
affection. She loves to play ball and play with Preston. She is
super-sweet and enjoys taking care of Preston, letting him know when
it is time to get up in the morning, someone is at the door, and it
is time to go outside.
Ruby’s Face book page had over 2,000 people respond to the adoption,
so Jeannie started a page called “Just for ShihTzus & Giggles” so
those interested could keep up with the trio. To date, there are 450
members following the page. The page is updated with puppy antics
and pictures. The Bakken’s will soon be taking the dogs to Petsmart
to help Hert with a fundraiser for Ruby’s Rescue and Retreat. They
want to be ambassadors for Hert and the work she is doing to save
dogs.
It’s only been a month, but the Bakken’s are having a wonderful time
with their family members. Jeannie concludes on her Face book page,
“These 3 have been such a blessing! They have turned our lives
upside down in every possible way, and we are loving every minute of
it!”
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