Trixie unexpectedly said goodbye

I lucked out with my breeder, and didn't have to wait too long. she was a hobby breeder, and the sire was her champion (his last litter as he was 16...must be in the genes!) and she borrowed the dam. It is kinda like a date/interview because you have to convince them you are worthy of one of their dogs (sheltie breeders usually have lists of people wanting a dog). I was really flexible and even brought a friend and made a day of it. No preference on size,color,sex, etc. All I wanted was the calm one Lucky me, Gavin was a bit oversized even at 5 weeks because his markings were perfect (If he was in size she would have at least grown him out). I think his litter was 4 girls and 2 boys (gavin and one smaller boy). I think I picked him at 2 or 3 weeks; my breeder didn't let you visit or pick until then. I visited again at 5 weeks to drop off a crate and such. I played with all the dogs both times, and Gavin ignored me both times btw, he was more interested in other things. The pickier you are, especially at the outset, the harder it will be. Breeders won't know until after they are born how many, sex, coloring. and even longer for some temperment determination and which ones they want to keep for show (or which one they owe back to the owner of the other dog if that was the agreement). And then there are dogs they grow out for show that develop a fault. I got a 6 month puppy that way once (ears wouldn't tip).

There are places out there that have multiple litters and run a more professional business of breeding (I ran into a few websites) and they are more likely to be able to fit exacting requirements more quickly. Not sure I would call them puppy mills (at least some of them look to be reputable), but it is a different thing than a hobby breeder doing 1-2 litters a year.

 

I agree with Cindy regarding the sex of the dog! Actually I forgot about this but when I was waiting on Piper I was actually expecting a girl. Like you I’d lost my previous girl and told the breeder if possible I’d prefer a girl. The pups were born perhaps a week later and there were 2 girls and 5 boys…perfect I thought! Unfortunately the breeder wanted to keep a girl (and a boy) and she wouldn’t choose until 8 weeks. By 9 weeks she still hadn’t chosen and if I didn’t pick a boy I’d get nothing! I picked a boy and honestly I now prefer boys over girls. Just my preference but my point is that with Shelties there’s really no difference between males and females as there can be with different breeds. It’s more of picking temperament, rather than sex.

 

❤❤❤❤ I still miss my Sandstorm

 

This is a good space to share your feelings of loss and grief, almost all of us have been exactly where you are. And I know the habits of 13 years or so are hard to break. I saw Brooke everywhere out of the corner of my eye for the longest time after she left us. Brings a lump to my throat still.

I have come to believe that getting another dog is simply paying the love forward. I can't imagine my life without Shelties in it. Good luck on your search for a new friend who will, indeed, stretch your heart.

 

Oh, I know this pain. Losing Layla and Beckon so close together was devastating, and I’m still not over it. I’ve found it comforting to grieve in steps, like remembering them at the Sunnybank Memorial last August.

Welcoming puppy Asher will be helpful, too. Yet there is some ambivalence as well. We never replace them. We only honor their amazing lives.

 

l know this is an old thread but reading through it reminds me of why so many of us or at least me love shelties so much. They just integrate themselves into our lives so completely, they look at us with that unwavering look that just penetrates. I don't know maybe some of it is because they are herding dogs and that is inbred in them but when they trust you it is completely and that is a responsibility that we all fail to live up to in the end. We just can't fix everything. I have lived with other breeds of dogs and wouldn't trade a second with them for anything but my time with shelties is a step beyond.... dogs are most often the best people in the world.