Two Hearts, One Home: Tiger and Angel’s Journey as a Bonded Pair Looking for a Family
Tiger and Angel are a bonded brother-and-sister pair of Shih Tzus with an unbreakable connection. When their owner sadly lost her housing, she made the difficult decision to seek help to ensure her beloved dogs would find a safe and loving home together. Now, this inseparable duo is searching for a forever family who can give them the chance to stay side by side.
Though Tiger and Angel are opposites in many ways, their personalities complement each other perfectly. Angel is the lively one, always eager to play with toys and chase a frisbee, while Tiger is more laid-back, happy to relax close to his human or settle in for a nap. Together, they’re a sweet, playful pair who bring out the best in each other and are ready to bring joy to a family who can welcome both of them. Currently, they’re under the care of a Hart 2 Heart Rescuefoster home in Greensboro, North Carolina, where they’re waiting for a family that will let them grow old together.
Get To Know Tiger & Angel: Bonded Shih Tzu Siblings
Meet Tiger and Angel, a pair of 3-year-old Shih Tzu siblings weighing around 10 pounds each. Tiger, a cream-and-tan male, is the quieter of the two, happiest when snuggled up with his sister or his humans. While Angel loves to zoom around the yard, Tiger prefers a slower pace, often content to smell the flowers and nap the day away.
Tiger has dry eye, a common condition in Shih Tzus, requiring daily eye drops, and Hart 2 Heart Rescue will cover the first four months’ supply. After that, his family should budget about $75 every two months for his treatment.
Angel, with her deep brown coat, is the outgoing sibling. She’s playful without being hyper, loves toys, and enjoys outdoor fun. Angel can be a bit bossy, so she’s best suited to a home with just her brother or a small, sturdy dog.
This bonded duo needs an adult-only home with a securely fenced yard, as they are quick and can slip through small gaps. They’re currently available for adoption in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and east Tennessee.
What Is a Bonded Pair of Dogs?
You can probably imagine what a bonded pair of animals is, but if you’re still wondering “what is a bonded pair of cats or dogs?” you’ve found the right place. Like humans, cats and dogs feel a wide range of emotions and can develop strong bonds with each other, so strong in fact that they can begin showing signs of separation anxiety when they are apart.
Bonded pairs of animals aren’t just friends, they’re reliant on each other and struggle when separated. Adopting one of a bonded pair of animals might be more practical in some ways, but bonded animals that have been separated from their pair often exhibit destructive behavior, distress, signs of depression and anxiety, and other behavioral and psychological issues. Some people who have adopted one of a bonded pair find that their pet even refuses to eat in the absence of their partner.
Bonded pairs often eat together, sleep together, groom each other, play together, go to each other in stressful situations, use the same litter box (in the case of a bonded pair of cats), and generally rely on the other for comfort. Don’t be surprised if, after adopting a bonded pair of dogs or cats, they spend more time with each other than you—at least at first!
Once your bonded pair becomes more comfortable, you’ll need to find time and space for both pups to be loved on individually and as a pair.
What happens when one dog in a bonded pair dies?
Cats and dogs experience grief after the death or loss of a loved one, including fellow animals. Adopting bonded cats or dogs can be immensely rewarding, and part of the task of owning a pair includes preparing to help your cat or dog grieve once one of the pair inevitably crosses the rainbow bridge.
Without proper support, a grieving dog may stop eating, become lethargic, struggle in circumstances that would not normally be considered stressful situations, etc. There is no set amount of time a dog needs to grieve, but with your help, they can do so safely and without compromising their health.
Some simple ways to support a grieving dog include:
- Sticking to routine. Your dog has just lost a big part of their routine, so it’s important to keep the rest of it solid. While you might feel like you should give your dog extra walks or spend more time going to fun places, these changes can cause extra anxiety for a dog in grief.
- Create a quiet, cozy spot for your dog to grieve. Perhaps your dog and their pair always slept in the same bed—try filling the bed with extra blankets, putting on soothing music or a white noise machine, and turning down the lights so your dog can truly relax in their spot.
- Offer soothing love and affection like gentle pets, quiet talking, or cuddling on the couch.
If you notice serious behavioral changes (like uncharacteristic reactivity or refusals to eat) contact your veterinarian for more advice and support.
Read This Next
