Sada, the senior death-row sheltie

Our senior guy Indy likes to sleep across doorways. Partly this is because its been his habit for most of his life...he wants to jump up and greet anyone coming through the door. He also seems to have serious trouble getting up from soft surfaces, and rises easier from a firm surface. We've tried any number of dog beds hoping to find one that would cushion him a bit without being so soft or slippy that he can't get up. He does like the orthopedic bed we got and will lie on it about 1 day out of a week. The rest of the time he prefers just a bathroom mat placed at "his" doorway (of course, he doesn't remember anymore which doorway is "his" and flops at any doorway when he gets tired now, so there are a lot of bath mats scattered about here)
 
Chins-n-Sheltie said:
I have wanted a sheltie for three years now. I've owned a myriad of different kinds of dogs over my life (goldens, husky-german shepherd, and a border collie), but I've had my heart set on a sheltie since my last golden passed. I loved the size, but the work ethic and intelligence of a herder. What a perfect combination!

A month and a half ago a husky puppy fell into me and my husband's very, very busy laps. When I found him he was tied to a doorknob, weeping and huddled on garbage bags. He'd been abused, neglected and yelled at his entire short little life. I knew he had to come home with me that day and we had him up until last week when he was placed in his forever home. He helped me get through my best friend's death, helped me cry-- and then all of the sudden, he was gone.

And... I found myself on petfinder. I knew "Bolt" had gone to the right home, but my heart felt so empty! I was browsing local rescues and nearly had a heart attack when I saw Sada's face pop up on the Spokane humane society ad. I called immediately! She was advertised as aprox. 5 years old, quiet and calm, but when I got in touch with the shelter they said she was considerably older and that she wouldn't be around more than two days from now. I nearly screamed, "Hold on! I'm COMING!"

Two hour drive later, and ten minute introduction time, I had Sada in my arms and was marching out the door, the proud owner of my very own heart of gold. Little Sada smelled ungodly, was matted so bad she couldn't lift her tail and was limping. I took her home, bathed her as well as I could and called in every favor I knew of a local groomer. The next day she went for an hour (which is all she could stand for) and when I came to get her, the groomer was crying. Sada had been the sweetest, most gentle thing, she'd said, but they found some disturbing damage. For one, her stomach had two large tumors on it, and two, she had two broken ribs, a broken tail and an old, unhealed break in her knee. She was so thin her bones were sticking out.

We went from the groomer straight to the vet and they fell in love with Sada too. They did her entire examination for free and she gave kisses and hugs to everyone she met. She is the most outgoing dog I've ever met! She was scared, but she trusted everyone to take good care of her. The vet sent us home with good news! Sada's tumors are non-cancerous and she is in generally good health. We're testing her thyroid (maybe Cushings/Addisons), and she has arthritis, losing eyesight, and a slight heart murmur, but overall, she's so happy to have a new home! Every morning we wake up, all go outside, play chase and sing songs together, then we go inside and she curls up on the couch with her paw on my arm in case I thought I should stop scratching behind her ears.

We don't know how long we'll be blessed by Sada's presence in our house, but we didn't rescue her, she saved us. We hope that she lives the happiest, best days of her little life with us as our treasure.

Here's our darling Sada and her "boyfriend" Bolt. :) Hope no one minds me showing off my little darling (I tell her she doesn't look a day over 4!).

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs733.ash1/162730_487044002821_45543212821_5858001_3416175_n.jpg
Click to expand...

You are so blessed!!! God sends us love when we least expect it! Aria came to us on September 30, 2010. She was in much the same condition only she was abandoned. Live in every moment with her. She is absolutely beautiful!! We have determined if another Sheltie comes our way, we will welcome them with open arms.

God Bless you, your husband and Sada. I am go grateful to hear stories of heartbreak turn into triumph.

Aria, and her family
 
We bought her a bed off Amazon that she does really like to sleep in. It was called the Midwest Quiet Time Bed... it seems to work well for her.

Here's an updated picture of Sada in her collar I made her last night! She looks so good! Yesterday was a "hard day" and we're hoping today is better for her. She thinks she looks fine in her collar and we do too! It's given her a little boost for the day. Every little bit of interest counts... We're going sledding later and she'll love to come along.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs783.ash1/167363_10150119995097868_602072867_7873376_8312076_n.jpg

Thanks so much everyone for your support! We're so in love with her and are blessed every single extra day she gets to spend on this earth. She is loved so much by us and obviously by the community at large. Thank you again!
 
You and your husband are such lovely people for taking in a pet in so much need. It's so nice to know there are wonderful people like you out there. I hope Sada is pain-free and continues to live the happy life she deserves.
 
Congratulations

Sada sounds and looks like such a wonderful girl. She is so lucky that you came along and were willing to look past her "problems" to the very sweet Sheltie she so obviously is. Thanks for going the rescue route. Robby & Ceilidh send their best to Sada. Yours aye, Will
 
I agree...what kind of person turns an older dog into a shelter. I just posted the same thing under another thread. But for her to be so abused! It's just terrible...it makes my eyes water too....thank God and many blessings to you for bringing her into your home. I wish you happy times, and think it is a wonderful thing you have done.
 
You will never regret doing this for Sada! She sounds like an awesome dog, and a testament to the wonderful forgiveness of dogs towards humans. Truly I am typing this with a lump in my throat. Please continue to update us on Sada's progress.

Congratulations on the new addition to your family!
Sharon
Asta and Ally
 
She's gorgeous! She reminds me of my Lacy who we adopted when she was 9 years old and had many of the same problems. Thank you for taking her in and letting her live out the rest of her life with happiness and contentment :)
 
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