Enzo’s New Home

I found Zula’s in July of 2023. I had just lost my beloved Shih Tzu, Chance, at the age of 15y 5m and 1 day. He was my first Shih Tzu and was the absolute perfect dog for me. I told myself, and believed it when I said it, that once my two boys were gone, I would not be getting any other dogs. That all went out the window when Chance died. I was devastated and knew that I wanted to bring another Shih Tzu boy into my life. I still had another senior dog at home, and his health was failing, so I wasn’t ready to bring a new dog into my home at that time, but I was looking around, considering options, and preparing myself for when the time came. I didn’t know how long it would be, but I wanted to have my research done when it was time.

I reached out to Zula’s with a number of questions as it had been so many years since I had been looking for a puppy. Aminah was compassionate and answered all my questions knowing and understanding that I wasn’t ready to bring home a puppy at that time – even though she currently had a litter of pups with two boys available. She knew I wanted to give all my attention to my senior dog and let him be an only dog for as long as he had left…which I thought would be at least 6 months.

We exchanged several emails, and I enjoyed learning more about Aminah’s dogs and watching her puppies grow as she posted new updates regularly. I found myself falling in love with a specific little boy pup. He had a white patch on his chin and his forehead and was absolutely adorable. His mama looked so much like my Chance, and the way Aminah described his daddy sounded just like my Chancey, too. AND these pups were born on 6/28. That is the day that I had brought Chancey home…in 2008…when he was 4.5 months old.

As I told her all of what made my Chancey so dear to me and all the traits and qualities that I loved so much about him, Aminah was great to answer all my questions without ever suggesting that I might want to take one of her available puppies. She was so compassionate and respectful as I worked my way through the stage that I found myself in. In one of my last emails to her, I asked Aminah when she thought she might be breeding this pair again, as I had made up my mind that when the time came, I would be waiting for a pup from Nagisa and Sampson.

In a sorrowful turn that still hurts my heart, I lost my other senior dog, Dudley, just 19 days after losing Chance. He had congestive heart failure, so I knew his time was short, but I was stunned and heart-broken by the sudden downward turn that he suffered. I could not believe it. Losing both of my boys back to back….I can’t put into words the pit of sadness that I was in. It was the first time in more than 15 years that I did not have a dog waiting for me when I got home, and that made coming home extremely tearful.

I reached out to Aminah, explained to her what happened, and asked if I could set up a visit to see that little pup with the white patch on his chin and forehead. Again, Aminah responded with compassion, and we planned to meet that weekend.

I brought my mom and sister with me, and when we visited, we were greeted by all kinds of wagging tails and left that day KNOWING it was meant to be for Enzo to be mine!! I’ll tell you, Aminah’s home is filled with darling babies!!! So sweet and friendly. Aminah had told me that I couldn’t go wrong with any of her pairings, and after meeting her crew, I believed that whole-heartedly. It was clear to see that these dogs are much loved and extremely well-cared for. I LOVED being able to not only see mom and dad, but all the aunties, too. These puppies are given the absolute best from day one, and by the time they come home, they are well adjusted, confident, joyful pups ready for anything! Enzo was just over 6 weeks old when I got to call him my own. He had just over two more weeks with his family and Aminah was so awesome to send me photos, videos, and personality updates of “my little snausage” just about daily! It was WONDERFUL to be able to watch him grow and thrive as I waited to be able to bring him home.

Aminah dotes on these babies, and they are raised in her home with her own babies!! This is such a treasure! Enzo knew his name before he even came home, and thanks to having routines and being able to follow mom, dad, and his aunties around, he already had a handle on going outside to do his business. Additionally, Enzo came home with a goodie bag filled with treats and toys and blankies with familiar scents to help him adjust to his new home, and I was given as much info about his personality and his favorite things as possible. He truly came home with a head start that is invaluable! He just LOVED life because he had had so much love poured into him already! All of Aminah’s efforts really made his adjustment to my home so much easier, because he was already a confident little man who had benefited not only from the ability to learn from and interact with his 4-legged family so freely, but also from having such positive experiences with people.

I am so grateful to have found Zula’s. I truly believe God led me there and had Enzo chosen for me before I even dared choose him for myself. I am so grateful for all the love, time, and care that Aminah sows into these precious pups before they go on to their forever homes! She really gives them a most excellent start, and I can’t thank her enough!