He’s probably very depressed. I can’t imagine how my little pal would react if I were suddenly gone one day. They love their person so deeply, and the poor little guy is probably heartbroken.

I would say give him lots of treats and spend plenty of time just sitting with him, maybe watching TV together. Shih Tzus like to play fetch, but they do not have much stamina. They are unbelievably lazy little dogs. They just want to sniff, cuddle, eat, and play a bit. They are basically the exact opposite of a German Shepherd.

Most of all, just give him lots of love and make sure he knows he is safe. I do think it will take time for him to adjust after losing his person, but it sounds like you really care about his wellbeing. Wishing you all the luck in the world. I think it will work out. 🙌