Meet Cocoa Bean — an 8 month old, 8 lb Shih Tzu mix with a whole lot of personality packed into a tiny, adorable body! Quick Facts: Name: Cocoa Bean Breed: Shih Tzu Mix Age: 8 months old Weight: 8 lbs. House-Trained: Working on it! Crate-Trained: Yes Good with Dogs: Yes Good with Cats: Yes, indifferent to cats Good with Kids: Yes, older, respectful school aged kids Energy Level: High (puppy energy) Fence Required: Yes (very secure fence) About Cocoa Bean’s Breed: Our best guess is that Cocoa Bean’s breed is a Shih Tzu mixed breed. Shih Tzus are affectionate, people oriented companion dogs known for their lively, friendly personalities and their long, luxurious coats. They were originally bred to be close human companions, and today they’re happiest when they can spend lots of time with their families. These small, sturdy pups are typically playful, social, and adaptable, making them wonderful pets for many types of households. Their ideal home is one where they receive plenty of attention, gentle handling, and regular grooming to keep their coats healthy. Because of their small size, they’re well suited for apartments or homes without large yards, and they thrive in calm, loving environments where they can be included in daily routines. Families who enjoy a cuddly, cheerful companion and can offer consistent care will find a perfect match in the Shih Tzu. What to Love about Cocoa Bean: Cocoa Bean is a sweet, affectionate pup who loves giving (and receiving) good morning and good night smooches. He is a little weary of new people and will need a little extra patience and proper introductions to truly blossom. He’s playful, energetic, and absolutely lives for zooming around the yard, attacking his toys with enthusiasm, and showing off his cute little sprint! If you know the character Stitch, that’s Cocoa’s vibe — mischievous, loving, curious, and full of life! Cocoa is very food motivated and takes mealtime seriously. He’s still young and learning, so he can get a bit snippy during play, but he calms down with gentle guidance. He enjoys hanging out with his foster dog buddy and would likely do well with other dogs who aren’t too large or overly dominant. He’s indifferent to cats. Cocoa needs time to warm up to new people and environments, but once he feels safe, he blossoms into a loyal, affectionate little shadow. Because of his youthful energy and sensitivity, he’d do best with patient adopters and children over seven who understand how to respectfully handle dogs. He’s good on a leash, loves neighborhood walks, and needs a secure fenced yard since he’s fast, curious, and still figuring out the world. Cocoa is crate trained, can be safely crated when you’re away, and is making great progress with potty training. Cocoa Bean’s Bountiful Highlights: • 8 month old, 8 lb Shih Tzu mix with a big personality in a tiny body • Sweet, affectionate pup who loves giving good morning and good night smooches • Playful, energetic, and full of “Stitch like” mischief and charm • Loves sprinting around the yard, jumping, and attacking toys with enthusiasm • Very food motivated — treats and mealtime are serious business • Needs time to warm up to new people and environments, but becomes a loyal little shadow once he feels safe • Good with other dogs (best with those not too large or dominant); indifferent to cats • Would do best with calmer, respectful children over seven • Still working on potty training and making great progress • Crate trained and can be safely crated when you’re away • Great on leash and enjoys neighborhood walks • Requires a secure fenced yard and supervision outside — he’s fast, curious, and adventurous With patience, structure, and lots of love, Cocoa Bean will grow into the sweetest best friend — the kind who always has your back and fills your home with joy, silliness, and endless affection! Comprehensive details are provided in the dog's description. to ensure a smooth process, please submit a completed application through our website at: http://crisisdogsnc.org/dog-adoption/. Please note that questions via email or social media channels may not receive a response without a completed application. As part of our commitment to responsible adoption practices, we require excellent veterinarian references and conduct virtual home visits. Additionally, your prior or current dog must be on year-round heartworm prevention. We assist with coordinating transportation by both land and air whenever feasible. All assessments regarding breed and age are conducted by licensed veterinarians. We look forward to assisting you in finding your perfect canine companion!