Graham

Adopted 💙

Graham is believed to be a Shih Tzu / Maltese mix (Malshi). His Shih Tzu heritage is evident the moment you see his face — it truly says it all. Based on coat texture and structure, our groomer, who is highly experienced with coat types, believes he is also part Maltese. He weighs around 11 pounds, is fully grown, and at a very healthy weight. His birthday is celebrated as 11/11/22. While we don’t know his exact birthdate due to his past, that does not mean he didn’t deserve one. Based on the approximate age our veterinarian gave us, we chose a day so that Graham could be celebrated every year for the incredibly sweet boy he is.

Graham’s journey to us is one that stays with you. He was found dumped in the desert and sought refuge in someone’s yard, frightened and injured, with no explanation and no one searching for him. A concerned individual who knew the woman was trying to find help for him reached out and put us in contact with her, allowing Graham to finally make his way to safety.

When Graham arrived, he was fully coated and, on the surface, appeared okay. He was gentle, calm, and so grateful to have a warm bed, food, and water. Yet every time we attempted to pick him up, he would cry out, and at the time we didn’t understand why. We allowed him time to decompress, to settle, and to begin trusting again. As days passed, his tail started wagging more freely, and his sweet personality began to shine through.

Once under anesthesia for his neuter and dental cleaning, our veterinarian performed a thorough examination and discovered a laceration on the top of his back that had gone untreated and developed into an abscess. Something had grabbed hold of him. Whether it was a coyote, hawk, owl, stray dog, or another predator, our veterinarian confirmed that Graham had survived an attack and was incredibly fortunate to escape. Had he not found refuge when he did, he likely would not have survived.

Today, Graham is fully healed — and who he is now is nothing short of remarkable.

He is one of the sweetest, kindest, most gentle little souls you could ever meet. His demeanor is incredible, as if he carries a youthful old soul inside of him — grateful, thankful, and genuinely happy to have been given a second chance at life. His tail is always wagging, and he loves nothing more than being close to his people.

Graham is a total cuddler and absolutely loves being snuggled up on your chest. He gives kisses freely and often, simply because that is how he expresses love. He is crate trained and sleeps peacefully in his crate at night. He is not a barker, but he will “talk” to you when he needs something, making him a total character who keeps you smiling.

He adores other dogs and does beautifully with canine companions. He has done wonderfully with our groomer and handles grooming with ease. Graham also loves road trips and has become a fantastic little travel companion. As he healed and grew stronger, he even discovered a love for walks — something that brings him so much joy now.

Everything Graham is today is the result of patience, proper veterinary care, gentle structure, and consistent socialization following all he endured. He has learned that hands are safe, that love is constant, and that life can be good again.

For Graham, the adoption fee is $2,000. This reflects the veterinary care he received, including his neuter, dental cleaning and polish, treatment and repair of his laceration and abscess, medications, exams, and the extensive care and recovery he required along the way.

Graham is now ready for the home he has always deserved — one that will cherish him, protect him, and continue giving him the love he so freely gives in return. 🤍