Bellamy Norfolk Terrier & Shih Tzu Mix Fort Montgomery, NY

Meet Little Blue-eyes Bellamy

Bellamy's Backstory:

Blue-eyes Bellamy was a stray at animal control with two cherry eyes in need of surgery. Animal Saints pulled him to safety last autumn and gave him all of the surgeries and medical care he needed.

Bellamy was then adopted by one of our wonderful adopters who has adopted from us in the past. Unfortunately, she died very suddenly this winter. She was an ardent animal advocate and supporter of Animal Saints Rescue Society. We miss her very much! Bellamy is now back in our care, waiting to find his person who can be there for him.


Breed and Hair Notes:

Bellamy has hair and a hint of an undercoating, but we aren’t certain from which breed. He is a darling blend of what appears to be Shih Tzu and Norfolk Terrier. A hint of... what do you see? Perhaps another breed is represented as well. Whatever the blend, he is charming, incredibly handsome, gentle, and so ready to love.

PLEASE NOTE: Bellamy’s hair will grow, and he will need grooming every several weeks. It grows out much more slowly than standard Shih Tzu hair, but it does grow a bit.


Get to Know Bellamy:
Age: 5-8
Weight: 10-11 pounds
Neutered: yes

Current Vaccines and Tests:
Rabies vaccine: yes
Distemper vaccine: yes
Bordetella vaccine: yes
Flea and tick prevention: yes
Heartworm test: yes, negative
De-wormer treatment: yes
Fecal test: yes, negative
Microchipped? yes


Additional Medical Care and Care:
Cherry eye surgery: September, 2024
Bloodwork: September, 2024. Some elevated numbers due to infection when he first arrived.
Dental: September, 2024, dental cleaning with tooth extractions.
Grooming: Bellamy has been to a professional groomer and has been given several baths here in our sanctuary. He is terrific for all of it!
Training: Bellamy has already been given several training sessions while here in our sanctuary, so he’s already on his way to mastering foundational skills! We expect his adopter to pick up where we started.

Eyesight: Bellamy can see shadows with limited sight. In bright light, he sees much less. This does not stop him from loving to go outside and frolic in the garden! He’s wonderful about walking on a leash and will go for walks with you if you lead the way.

Updated bloodwork, as of 3/2025: It is confirmed that Bellamy's kidneys find it challenging to process protein. This means he needs to be on a lower protein kidney diet for the rest of his life. A simple change in his diet will give him quality of life and longevity.

Potty trained: yes
Bellamy uses the potty pads in our sanctuary. He also likes to go potty outside after he has his meals. In time, he will learn your preferences and schedule.


Personality:

Bellamy is SO sweet and loving. He is very, very much in want of a person again. He’s in want of a lap all the time like he had before.

All of our volunteers, as well as the staff at the partnering animal hospital, all love Bellamy. His little trot out in the back garden brings joy to everyone who sees it.

Because of Bellamy’s limited sight, he is hesitant to meet new people. He needs to be adopted by someone who has experience with dogs and dog behavior. They need to be able to introduce him to new people without fear or stress. Once he knows he can trust you, he will asked to be picked up for a hug. He will then insist on giving you kisses on the cheek if you are obliging. And how could you not be obliging with all of his sweetness?


What Little Bellamy needs in his lifetime family. Is it you?


Routine and Training

Bellamy needs a person again, as soon as possible. The sooner he has a lap again, the better!

At night, plan on sharing your sofa with him as you relax. He will want to sleep near you through the night, too. This keeps him calm and happy. Crating is not an option with Bellamy, though he does love a sleeping alcove that we have here in the sanctuary. It is like a playroom with a door wide open. It is a quiet and calm safe space that he loves to curl up in for his naps.

During the day, expect him to stand right by you while you’re working in the kitchen. If you work from home, he’ll want to be in a bed by your side. He will also be okay if you have to be away at work for a few hours every day. Set him up with some puzzles and a Kong before you head out, and he's a happy boy!

If you’re not able to view the video in the Petfinder app, you can view it on a laptop in the listing. Alternatively, copy and paste this link:

https://vimeo.com/1077075071

Given his past and limited sight, he needs to be in a calm and consistent environment in order to feel safe and secure. A home without young children is ideal.

Bellamy content as an only dog in a home. However, we think most dogs are happier to have a canine friend or friends. We have seen him play with other dogs here in our sanctuary, and he even gets into big cuddle beds and sleeps near them. But they must be gentle and more laidback in order to be a good match for him.

Due to a donation given to Bellamy, we are able to lower his adoption donation fee to only $400 instead of our standard $650 adoption donation/fee. The donor hopes this helps him find his lifetime home sooner than later, given all he endured last year.