Howdy! You may have already seen a couple of my posts on the "Rescue" and "Off Course" forums, but I thought I should officially check in here, too. I'm a new resident of Colfax, Iowa. My family of four people keep company with a 2-1/2 year-old Sable Sheltie (Toby) and three cats (Tinker, Tasha and Tamber). The "T" theme was an accident until we got Tamber, and figured we might as well continue the trend with the new adoption. The cats are all adopted from the street, shelter, and vet (a tech rescued her litter from a dumping), respectively.
Toby came from a crop farmer/breeder in Jewel, Iowa. We suspect it was also a small puppy farm, since they wouldn't let us see the actual kennels in the barn (they brought his litter into their kitchen to run around with us). I suppose we should have insisted, but we were already beginning to love Toby, and wanted to rescue him from whatever. We were lucky: he came with a health guarantee, and he is a jewel himself.
I'm considering training Toby in K9 Search and Rescue, and have asked for opinions on whether Shelties are suited for this job. (See my thread on Off Course.) I'm also thinking about fostering for a Sheltie rescue, since I'm a stay-at-home mom and would be around to give extra furry ones the time they need, but lack of a fence is slowing down that project at the moment. I'll also need a foster who likes young kids and cats, so that might limit my options.
I was thrilled to find this site and enter the forum. Still having trouble trying to figure out how to reduce very large photo files to submit to the site. When I've solved it, I'll post some pictures of Toby. He's no conformation king, but he's won our hearts, which is much more important. He is our first Sheltie, and though I've loved my St. Bernards, Beagles, Dachshund and mutts, I'll never go back to them again. I've wanted a collie since I was a little girl acting out the "Lassie" show with my friends, and was so pleased when I learned about Shelties, since my husband doesn't want a large dog. Our Sheltie lives up to all my "Lassie" expectations, plus. Toby is my true doggy soulmate, something I've never felt so strongly with any other dog.
Better stop, or my eyes will start tearing up. Goofy, I know, but I think you all understand, or you wouldn't be on this forum.
It's good to be here. Feels like home.
Toby came from a crop farmer/breeder in Jewel, Iowa. We suspect it was also a small puppy farm, since they wouldn't let us see the actual kennels in the barn (they brought his litter into their kitchen to run around with us). I suppose we should have insisted, but we were already beginning to love Toby, and wanted to rescue him from whatever. We were lucky: he came with a health guarantee, and he is a jewel himself.
I'm considering training Toby in K9 Search and Rescue, and have asked for opinions on whether Shelties are suited for this job. (See my thread on Off Course.) I'm also thinking about fostering for a Sheltie rescue, since I'm a stay-at-home mom and would be around to give extra furry ones the time they need, but lack of a fence is slowing down that project at the moment. I'll also need a foster who likes young kids and cats, so that might limit my options.
I was thrilled to find this site and enter the forum. Still having trouble trying to figure out how to reduce very large photo files to submit to the site. When I've solved it, I'll post some pictures of Toby. He's no conformation king, but he's won our hearts, which is much more important. He is our first Sheltie, and though I've loved my St. Bernards, Beagles, Dachshund and mutts, I'll never go back to them again. I've wanted a collie since I was a little girl acting out the "Lassie" show with my friends, and was so pleased when I learned about Shelties, since my husband doesn't want a large dog. Our Sheltie lives up to all my "Lassie" expectations, plus. Toby is my true doggy soulmate, something I've never felt so strongly with any other dog.
Better stop, or my eyes will start tearing up. Goofy, I know, but I think you all understand, or you wouldn't be on this forum. It's good to be here. Feels like home.
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don't know that one. not like a need another place to spend time. gotta get some treats for the pups soon- they're giving me the 'eye' 