Before
And After
Lewis came to me as a foster as a 10 year old puppy mill survivor. He was terrified beyond words. He couldn't even function if a person was anywhere around him. It was a long road for us and for Lewis. Trying to push him forward in any way just caused him to shut down and backslide even more. So, we outfitted him with a pair of pants to protect the house, and just let him be. At first, he would hide all the time. But slowly, day by day, I began to see him exploring and learning to trust. We fostered Lewi for a year, hoping that he would come around as he felt comfortable and wondering if we would find anyone for him who would accept him just the way he way. After being with us for a year, Lewi decided that it was time. We had passed his test. He began to hang out in the rooms where we were of his own accord...just because he wanted to be with us. Shortly after, he began to ask for petting, even putting his front feet up on the couch to ask for attention. That was the fateful day that we made Lewi our own.
Lewi continued to grow and to change. Some days he backstepped, but most days brought improvements. At age 11 1/2, he attended his first obedience class, more for socialization than to actually learn the skills. Much to my surprise, he learned to walk on a leash, come when called, sit and stay. He made friends with the quieter dogs and learned to let others pet him. He finally was brave enough to take food treats from my hand. He even learned to step through a hoop as his graduation trick.
Today, Lewi is heading into what will be his third year with us, and heading to age 13. He is happy and has a cute little smile on his face. His eyes says he loves us. He runs in the yard with the other dogs. His favorite thing to do is to run laps in the grass as fast as he can and then to drop down and roll over and over again on his back. I'm sure it feels wonderful to him. That is a pleasure that he has not given up...after spending 10 years in a rabbit hutch, grass is a joy to him. I continue to learn a lot from Lewis everyday, but perhaps the most important thing I've learned is forgiveness. Lewi has put his past behind him. He doesn't hold a grudge against the people who treated him badly in the beginning. He now finds joy in the little things in life...grass, dinner time, smooches on the nose, mom coming home, roast beef pieces from my hand, pillows and dog beds. What Lewis has taught me has helped me to be able to help other mill survivors and those who rescue them. Lewis has found his place!
HAPPY ENDING
#601
Before
And After
If you've ever heard the story of how a piece of sand becomes a Pearl, then you will understand how Pearlie got her name. You see, Pearlie was rescued from a puppy mill after a life of being used as a brood bitch. Her spirit was broken. She had learned not to trust people or their motives. She was, to them, insignificant like that piece of sand from the beach. But Pearlie found her way to rescue, which was to be her oyster...a safe place where she could transform into something beautiful and treasured, just like a pearl. And, so, Pearlie became her name.
Pearlie is still learning about people and how to live among them. She is learning to trust and to enjoy touch. At first it felt so strange to her to have hands on her, but now she is beginning to seek them out. She's only been with me for a couple months, but she's made so much progress. She now has confidence to look me in the eye and is beginning to smile more and more. Pearlie is on the lookout for her forever family. One that will treasure her always, just like the Pearl that she is. Thank you so much to everyone who has been involved in her journey so far!
HAPPY ENDING
#600
Before
And After
Lost and abandoned in rural north Georgia, Pippin was picked up as a stray and held in animal control with November 15, 2007 his date for euthanasia. When I saw his shelter photo, my heart reached out for the forlorn little waif. He was in great need. The kind of Sheltie I wanted to foster for Peach State Sheltie Rescue.
He was practically hairless from lack of decent food and his posture was all hunched over like a little old man. I was surprised when the vet said he was 5-6 years old. His life on the streets caused some general health issues we had to work through. One night a bug hit him, upsetting his system at both ends. I gave him medicine for his diarrhea, wrapped him in a blanket, and put him in bed next to my pillow. In the early morning hours, a tiny paw touched my shoulder to wake me. I took him out and he threw up. We went back to bed. A little later, a tiny paw touched my shoulder to wake me up. I took him out to poop. That tiny paw touch on my shoulder did it for me. Pippin was home with me forever!
Pippin is a loving, friendly little character. He is learning to be a therapy dog at my counseling practice and is a volunteer with his big sister, Tess, at Heartland Hospice. He is enjoying the attention and is great at cuddling. His small stature (12 lbs) allows him to snuggle in laps, so he is finding his own niche.
Pippin is now sleeping on soft fleece blankets, instead of the cold, hard ground. He is eating yummy food, instead of foraging in trash. His hair is growing in thick and soft. His eyes reflect love, instead of emptiness. He is snuggling in his Mama's arms, instead of huddling alone in the dark.
A friend said of Pippin, “he has such a gentle, yet powerful spirit that exudes from him. What a wonderful time of year to be receiving the blessing of Pippin . . . like apple pie at Thanksgiving
. . . but he is the whole Pippin Pie.”
I am so happy that I am a member of the "Failed Foster Home" Club. Pippin is a blessing to my heart and the apple of my eye.
HAPPY ENDING
#545
Before
And After
It was late in the fall, and we were all in the search for a lost sheltie in our area. Shea a sheltie who was being searched for by our local club, sheltie friends and lovers was still missing. I had a phone call from the local H/S. They had a sheltie brought in, but dont think its the "show dog shea" that we are looking for. The owner of Shea didnt care, she drove down to look at him anyways, i told her take him either way, he needs to come into rescue if not Shea.
Well this wee thing was picked up by our club members, and went back to her house as we were alll on a hot lead for shea and didnt meet back up till later.
When i opened the crate and looked in i thought, oh no.......... deaf, old, emaciated, dirty, sick, and just plain ikky little thing was looking back at me. He winced to be touched, and was so thin you could push him over with a feather. The smell of him in my vehicle made me sick but sick for what has happened to this poor little soul. My husband and i took him home, made him a bed in the computer room (who knows what he had) and gave him some food and water. Food? he looked at it like it was foreign, and in a bowl???? he looked confused, but i assume he never had that kinda meal. He was so scared of human touch, even to pick him up from outside he would fall over to his side and wince while you picked him up.
After a quick vet visit, realized he was anemic, and had such horrible teeth it was horrid to be in the same room as him. After alot of cutting and bathing (4times) he started to smell less like a swamp. I couldnt have him fixed till he was healthier, and his teeth would have to stay like that also. If he breathed on you he could knock you over. All the bathing, bathing, cutting of matts, ear cleaning, he never even made a peep, seemed to enjoy the grooming. He did seem so sad and his eyes had no sparkle to them.
But after about 10 days, a tiny little tail started to wag a little at dinner time, his eyes started to look brighter and i finally had some hope this little guy would make it. All now 12 pounds of him!!!! So once he was well enough, he was neutered, got a booster, and his teeth cleaned up and some removed. Once recovered from that, he had a skip in his step and was warming up to me & my husband, even sitting on the couch with us.
I didnt think he would be adoptable, not knowing his age, vets figured between 9 & 12? but knew at least he was healthy and happy in his elderley age.
I was emailing updates to the group who was looking with us for Shea who was found btw, and low and behold one of the sheltie people was interested in letting this senior live out his life in their homes. So after a few visits with their shelties, and her daughter, who is so gentle with the dogs, i knew it was a match. Little Tyke has become Spirit, and lives a wonderul life with his new family Betty & Brittany who couldnt be more patient and gentle with this great old soul.!
HAPPY ENDING
#640
Before
And After
When my little 13 inch Sheltie, Zachary, was 10 months old, he arrived at his third home. Having been kept in a crate and never socialized, he had developed an obsessive behavior and if not in a crate, would run in circles for hours. When he refused to eat, and weighing only 9 pounds, the owners turned him into Middle Tennessee Sheltie Rescue. Ann, the woman who runs the rescue, took him to obedience and agility classes, and he improved to the point he was ready for a new home. He now tipped the scales at 14 pounds and had learned to play with other dogs. But, alas, the dogs he tried to play with were vicious, and after being starved for two months, he was mauled by the other four dogs in the family and critically injured. The owner put him in the corner and promptly forgot about him. After suffering for 24 hours, and close to death, a shocked visitor to the home took him to a vet and called Ann.
His life was saved in surgery and he spent 7 days in intensive care. He had lost 5 pounds and was infested with parasites. Ann put out an appeal on the internet for help for his vet bill, and reading his story, I asked to adopt him.
To get him from Tennessee to Massachsetts a transport of two days and 15 drivers brought him home. Scared, skinny, and shaved, with a crooked front leg caused by another earlier untreated injury, he had a long road ahead to become a dog. Helped by my other two Shelties, he began to regain confidence and learn to play. It took months of patience and love to get him to act somewhere near normal.
He now has just turned 8 and even though still afraid of strangers, he is a lovable, sweet, happy boy.
HAPPY ENDING
#Exhibition Only
Before
And After
Her favorite place under the tree.
Granny Bisquit came to us in October 2005, saved from a kill shelter in Nashville,TN by Joni Willoughby of Middle Tn Collie rescue. I was supposed to be a transporter shuttling her to Heart of Kentucky Sheltie rescue, but once we met I just couldn't let her go. She had been on the street for weeks and had pneumonia in both lungs, was hearworm positive and at the age of 11 had never been spayed. Fortunately I work for a great veterinary hospital, but we had our work cut out for us. We worked our way slowly through each problem until we thought we were in the clear. The pneumonia gone, successful heartworm treatment and surgery and we were ready to settle down. That Christmas, Granny let us know that under the tree was her favorite spot and we smiled every time she settled under it for her nap. But in May of 2006, we found a cancerous tumor that was inoperable because of type and location. We were devastated,but determined to make it a happy ending for her. I am happy to report that we just had another Christmas with Granny under the tree and though she has slowed down a bit, her spirit is as strong as ever, the naps are just a little longer. She rules our roost of 8 shelties and 1 collie and is the vocal cheerleader for each game of chase, preferring to stand on the sideline and "coach". She has that "wisdom of the ages" look in her warm brown eyes, and appreciates every soft pillow bed she meets. We cherish every day with this sweet little soul and hope for another Christmas with Granny under the tree. To anyone who will listen we not only encourage adoption through the rescue program, but ask that they not forget our precious seniors out there. They have so much to offer and ask so little in return.
HAPPY ENDING
#98
After
Shelties that land under the care of a rescue group are often the victims of the misconception that there is something "wrong" with them when more often than not they are a victim of circumstance. Such is the story of Damon & Camille. When we met them they were at Precious Secrets Sheltie Rescue for the second time! The first time they landed there due to a divorce. They were adopted and had a few happy years, but sadly their owner's health forced her to a nursing home and they went back to rescue. Damon was 14 years old and Camille was 13 when I "met" them online. Their story just spoke to our hearts - two little old timers who had endured such loss through no fault of their own and wanted so much to have a home together. We drove 4 hours (one way) to meet them and it was worth every mile. The wonderful ladies of PSSR (thank you Pam & Cathy) turn no sheltie away because of age and we were so thankful for that or we never would have found these love ly old souls. Camille is a tiny terror, feisty and fun loving. Damon,with cataracts and 5 teeth to his name, is the epitome of a gentle old soul who enjoys a good nap in between meals, loves to have his face massaged, a fiercely guards his house, even if he's not always sure what everyone is barking about. Camille watches out for him like a doting sister, graciously allowing me to fill in when she's busy supervising the backyard fence patrol, giving a whole new meaning to "homeland security". They are everything you could want in loving companions, and we couldn't love more if we had raised them from babies. Our younger shelties treat them with the same loving deference that you see human children often show to those of the "grandparent" age - it's a beautiful thing to watch. Happily we are celebrating Damon's 15th and Camille's 14th birthdays in February, and our 1 year anniversary together in March. If you ever have the chance, please consider openi ng your home to a senior in need. It will be a blessing you'll never forget, for both of you.
HAPPY ENDING
#282
Before
And After
Coco came to us in Oct 2007. My husband was part of an emergency transporting of nine Shelties that Southern Ontario Sheltie Rescue had rescued from euthanasia in Kingston. We were to hold on to them until the Foster's showed up to take them into their homes. I took one look at her and fell in love as did my husband. Of course we were only going to Foster her. Ya Right! We ended up failing Foster 101 and adopted her. Her original name was Cow Cow which we absolutely hated thus we changed it to a more deserving Coco. She was all matted dirty a little on the odorous side and weighed a WHOPPING 40lbs. She had the saddest eyes. She was unable most times to get on the couch and she certainly could not jump into the back of our Van. She had a definite waddle when she walked. Playing was out of the question as she just got too tired too fast and was uninterested. She has been seeing a Chiropractor for the last six months because of the curve in her spine due to the extra weight and at her last appointment in Feb 08 needed little adjustment at all!! Now almost 6 months later she is a svelte 21 lbs can leap on to and in to most things including our van. And takes great pride in leaping into your lap when your not expecting it. She has developed a very mischievous mind, steals hubby slippers and sleeps with them on the loveseat everynight. Of course if he put them in the closet we could avoid this but she takes too much pleasure in sleeping with her treasures. She makes us laugh with her antics and has begun to engage in play with our other dogs.We have enrolled her in Agility classes and while she may not be the fastest she sure has taken a liking to it, could be she just craves the attention. In any case we indulge in her pleasure of having us fawn over her. Who knows maybe she will eventual find that third gear! One thing we know for certain she has made our family complete and wormed her way into our hearts.If she just wants to be a couch potatoe we don't care.She now lives the life of a queen and deserves it.
HAPPY ENDING
#512
Before
And After
Joey our three legged little Sheltie was adopted from St. Louis Sheltie Rescue (Second Chance Shelties). Joey was driven to our home in Wisconsin by Sheltie rescue. We were so happy they chose us as the new parents for Joey! Joey is a very happy boy, he has his own little minature farm and 6 sheltie brothers and sisters to play with. We call him the "official greeter" Joey is the first to run up and say hello to anyone coming into our house, even a stranger for him, he has no fear. This is a big change from his first days/weeks with us. Any visitors to our home would send Joey running back to the bedroom and under the bed. We worked close with Joey along with his confident sheltie family and now Joey is such a Happy Boy. Here below is Joey's story from Janice at Sheltie Rescue St. Louis. This is from a person who helped in his rescue.
Greg wrote:
A good Samaritan heard him crying in his apartment building's
dumpster. We never did get a name, as he was turned in to the
"Humane" Society in Springfield and was scheduled to be put down because he
wasn't considered adoptable. He "wasn't a whole dog!" As far as I
was concerned, his huge heart and cuddling more than made up for his
missing front leg! He was part of the Springfield Five that we sent
to you at Second Chance and was our official introduction to Sheltie
Rescue.
Our best guess was that he was someone's pampered pet that was
stolen and dumped, possibly in a domestic dispute. He was clean and
brushed, with perfectly trimmed nails and clean teeth.
Above a very Happy and Proud "Pirate Joey"
HAPPY ENDING
#610
Before
And After
Louie has only lived with us for a month now so we are still getting to know him. He also came from Precious Secrets Sheltie Rescue in Ohio. We watched his story for months on the web site, he had gotten very sick after arriving at Precious Secrets and almost died, you can read his story on their website under Special Dogs / Louie. We were taken by his “smile” even when he was very sick. Our vet tells us he is around 10 years old, we expected him to not be very active – w-r-o-n-g ! He is a busy little guy, always on the move, right now he is learning his place in the family. He is a maniac with Frisbees and balls, barks and chases squirrels, birds and anything that moves! Yes, our house is much more active, Maddie is a little nervous but he is learning to keep his distance. He also is very obedient if he isn’t overly excited. He is very loving and likes to sit next to us or on our lap, something we aren’t used to but like very much. He is very thin but has gained two pounds in the month he has been with us. His fur is pretty raggedy and missing in spots, he has a rat tail with fur only on the bottom side of it, his thyroid tested OK so we are hoping it was a flea allergy and will grow back soon although we don’t see any progress yet!
HAPPY ENDING
#624
Before
And After
Our Maddie girl, A year ago we adopted her from Precious Secrets Sheltie Rescue in Ohio. She was at least seven years old and was spayed just before we got her, her back fur was very short but she seemed to be quiet and very loveable so she came home with us. After arriving home we discovered that she walked v-e-r-y s-l-o-w. We laughed and said she walked slower than my mother who uses a walker and hoped we would still be laughing when we were hiking in the woods and getting nowhere fast! We took her to the vet and found that she had arthritis so we started her on medicine which was like a miracle. We were cautioned that it is hard on her body so we only give her enough to make walking easier but not totally pain free. We give her extra doses when we go camping or when she will be walking more than usual. She has had one problem after another, her thyroid is low so she is on medicine for that and she has been on several courses of antibiotics for blood in her urine. Recently she was diagnosed with stones in her bladder so now she is on a special diet too. She can be a little growley at times but it is mostly when she thinks she is going to get stepped on, and we think she may not see very well either. She is extremely obedient and will put her little head down and come when you call even though I know it hurts her to get up. She squeeks when she needs to go out, and has lots of kisses for us. She doesn’t like to be picked up or hugged but loves to sit at our feet and loves to be kissed on her cute little snout. When she looks at those little logs on the path in the woods and obediently gives a little dance to get enough momentum to jump over them we know that in her heart she thinks she is an agility dog. We love her little loving heart and spirit to go on no matter what. She is our best little girl!
HAPPY ENDING
#625
Before
And After
Simon was in a "kill" shelter in the States and was a stray scheduled to be euthanized as they thought he was blind, deaf and had difficulty walking. Southern Ontario Sheltie Rescue opened their hearts, once again, to a needy little one and brought him into our fold.
Simon came in emaciated, anemic and FULL of parasites. His badly scissored hairs made him look like a mutli-coloured brillo pad but his huge smile was enough to melt all our hearts.
It appears that Simon has had little to no people contact before coming here, he was very hand shy only along petting on his head and was ready to take on the world. He was a combination of a Houdini, Wiley Coyote and reminded me of one those crazy little flies that goes around flying at everything with no direction. He also had no dog body language, had no clue about dog food and it was obvious he had to defend himself his whole life.
I am happy to report that Simon can see and hear, although his sense of perception seems a bit off probably due to his lack of previous socialization, and is quite agile as a senior. When he first came here I thought there is no way he's a senior as he was just go-go-go all the time.
After lots of love and vet bills Simon was able to get his neutering and dental done. He has gained weight and developed muscle tone and his coat has grown into a beautiful sable. We are working on voice/hand commands and I gotta tell you he understands "want a cookie?" very well and takes treats ever so gently.
Simon now has a group of doggie friends that he loves to play with and does his nightly roly polys for belly rubs and has a wonderful Shelite Happy Dance routine. He has learned that play/toys/rewards are a good thing and its amazing to see the turn around in him. I cant believe he's the same scrawny, uncivilized little boy that came here 8 months ago!! He's quite the snug a bug now and all my neighbours are awed by his transformation too. Just goes to show you what rescue/patience and love can do........its good for the soul!!
HAPPY ENDING
#792
Before
And After
From Holly's new mom..."Holly is truly the light of my life, and I'm intensely grateful she
was rescued! She is full of love, happiness and joy for life, and
likes to greet everyone. Holly is such an inspiration. Because of
love, prayer and care, she has astounded the veterinary world: even
though she is toothless, has limited hearing, some cataracts, and a
shoulder tumor that causes her to have an occasional "hitch in her
giddyap", she doesn't even know she has these limitations. She acts
like a frisky pup, running and jumping and giving her paw for frequent
petting. I am so proud to have been chosen to be her Forever Mom. She
is beautiful inside and out!"
HAPPY ENDING
#793
Before
And After
Quincy was found as a stray in the Windsor area, the shelter contacted Southern Ontario Sheltie Rescue and arrangements were made to bring him into our care.
He arrived at my house the dirtiest, matted mess I had ever seen. He had a huge wound down his front leg which we not sure how it happened, possibly when he was wandering on his own.
Quincy walked into our house as if he was at home, no reservations, not timid, and definetley not shy. He made himself comfortable to the point of claiming my senior rescue boy Shamus's favourite bed as his own.
Quincy's sweet face won people over right away and he was happy, social, well behaved and very people oriented. His adaptability was amazing and once again, as a rescuer you wonder how this little guy ended up being picked up as a stray. He definetly had been well loved and socialized by someone.
Of course, first thing after he got settled in was a bath, well, I have never seen water so dirty! and he loved the bath. Off to the vet to have his leg checked and bandaged, and his age was figured to be 10 - 11, not 6-9 as the shelter had thought,
It took over 5 hrs over two days with lots of breaks to groom this poor little guy. All the while he layed there and let me cut out huge mats, scabs with flea dirt turned into mats, his skin had not seen the sun or breathed fresh air in a very long time. When it was all over, he bounced around doing his little sheltie jig, telling me how much better he felt and look at me, "I am such a handsome guy"
Quincy had been posted on the shelter's petfinder site and a family in Oakville had seen his picture and fallen in love. When they contacted the shelter regarding adopting him they were told he had been taken in by us. The people contacted us and arrangements were made to do a home visit and do their reference checks. When Quincy was ready for a forever family he already had one waiting for him. It was not long before they were at my house to take Quincy home to start his new life.
His new mom kept in touch with pictures and settling in stories, but, in less than a month after Quincy becoming a new family member his new dad took ill and was hospitalized. Quincy was given permission to visit dad and did so when dad was up to it. Christine told me Quincy was such a comfort and joy to her husband on these visits, and then he passed on.
Christine & daughter Alex have told me that Quincy was a great comfort to them as well at this sad time.
Almost 6 months later Quincy continues to bring them joy and loves having the two women in his life wrapped around his little paw.
HAPPY ENDING
#794
Before
And After
Louie, aka Louise came to Southern Ontario Sheltie Rescue from the Brantford Humane Society. He and a female sheltie Thelma were found in the empty lot next to them when they came to work one day.
When they brought them out to me they were introduced as Thelma & Louise, I was informed that Thelma was blind and Louise was deaf. I knew right away looking at Thelma she was not blind. Turns out she was the one who was deaf and Louise was neither deaf nor blind.
Louise had been completely shaven by them due to the mats and mess of his coat, they were not gentle with the razor and she had razor burns all over her from being shaved to close. Louise also had this large mass protruding from her right side which turned out to be fatty tissue when vet checked. She also had a cyst on the other side which I knew would need tending to.
Thelma was a beautiful full coated dark sable girl who also turned out to be extremely matted and dirty and they both smelt terrible, they had been there for two weeks and other shaving Louise had not done anything to Thelma.
In the car they went coming to my place for assessment. First order of business was to call a groomer friend to help with getting the mats out of Thelma and putting her in the tub. Then it was Louise's turn to go into the bath, well, a yell comes from the bathroom "Rose we have a problem", I go racing in to find out that poor little naked Louise was actually a Louie!!
Poor little guy, not only had he been dumped and in a shelter for two weeks, he was in a gender crisis.
Unfortunately we lost Thelma to cancer, she had a wonderful home waiting for her but it was not to be.
Louie had the cyst removed and he skin taken care of, his hair started to grow back and after 6 weeks he started to interact and come to us for attention. For two weeks he followed me everywhere, that sweet puppy face looking up at me would just make my heart melt.
His wanting to bond was perfect timing, a wonderful woman wanted to adopt Louie. She drove a couple of hours to come and meet him and fell in love instantly.
Louie was my heart dog, we loved him and thought about adopting him ourselves when Ann came along. We felt Louie deserved to all the attention given to him.
The picture with the bandana was the day he went home with his new mom, he looked so cute and was happy.
Off they went to start their new life, Louie barking in the van all the way home, he loved to bark in the car and at the cars that went past. Louie and Ann visited often as Louie had to come for vet visits, he never took his eyes off her when they were here. He was in love. Fate was not on Louie's side however, the cyst came back and when removed and a biopsy done the news was not good. Louie had Grade 3 Sarcoma and it was only a matter of time.
Louie and Ann had 6 wonderful months and then he let her know it was time for him to go to the bridge. Louie was named our SOS Rescue Dog of the Year 2007 at our picnic in the fall. All who met him loved him and he is missed..
HAPPY ENDING
#933
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