Winning Duncan Over

Interim Post

2010-07-06T18:40:00.001-05:00

I plan on adding a post here shortly with more of the details of what caused Duncan's passing. However, in the meantime I thought I would post something a little more uplifting. This is Hannah, my "Sissy." She's my parents' dog. Hannah is also a rescue and was dumped in the "overnight pen" when my parents lived in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Who knows why, because she is the sweetest, loving little girl. She was kind enough to humor my Mom the day before my wedding and pose for some pictures in a veil. Cookies for the banana!

"Sweet Duncan Hines"

2010-06-20T09:48:00.003-05:00

Duncan's song. I've been known to belt this song out with the radio as I'm driving down the road, replacing the lyrics with "Sweet Duncan Hines!" Of course, I'll think of him every time I hear the song.

Duncan's Legacy

2010-06-18T21:51:00.002-05:00

The time has come. I lost my Sweet Duncan Hines today. Somehow he got a VERY bad maggot infestation around his rear end. It was absolutely horrible. The Vet said we could try keeping him at the Emergency Vet over the weekend to give him IV fluids and observe him, but it was so bad that he wasn't very confident that we could bring him around considering his age and everything else, so we let him go. The Vet Tech that was helping us said it wasn't my fault, but I'm still feeling guilt ridden that I should have noticed the problem sooner or done something different to get him to let me groom him. Then I would have been more likely to have... anyway.

Duncan was suffering so much that he was not even fighting being touched and worked on. He just laid there. No jerking or jumping away or snapping when someone tried to move his body or anything-totally not himself. The upside I guess, is that I was able to shower kisses on his little face and nose as he left, and hug him just like I always wanted to do after he was gone. Well, not just like I wanted, but I got to wrap my arms around him just the same.

While I am very sad, this is tempered with joy as well. I told Duncan when I let him go that I was so proud of him and how much he had grown. He came so very far, and I am so overjoyed that he grew from the cowering trembling Sheltie I met at Petco to the happy dog you've seen in the pictures here. I am so pleased that he went from turning his back on me when I petted him, to seeking it out and asking to be petted. I am so happy that he could learn to enjoy that.

Winning Duncan Over will continue. In time, I would love to begin fostering Shelties who need help like my Duncan did and try and rehabilitate them so they are more likely to find a new home. I will chronicle their stories here just like Duncan Hines' and Little Debbie's.

I'm getting married a week from tomorrow and my new husband and I need to get into a bigger home. Hopefully then I can join the fosters and rescuers of the Kansas City Sheltie Rescue, and Duncan's Legacy will continue.

Snake Saturday 2010

2010-03-13T13:50:00.000-06:00

Here's Duncan in his Kilt ready to march in the Snake Satruday Parade with the Kansas City Sheltie Rescue!

He did great again this year! He was so excited to see all the other Shelties again and marched like a regualr pro!

Avoidance

2010-02-23T22:00:00.002-06:00

To all my friends at Kansas City Sheltie Rescue: I am not avoiding you by not coming to the Adopt-A-Pet days. I really really want to come. But I know if I do that I'm in serious danger of giving in to my Multiple Sheltie Cravings. I want another Sheltie again! Remember, Little Debbie snuggled her way into being adopted by curling up in my lap at Pecto. I can't resist! I'd love to get a Blue Merle. Maybe a puppy. But I just can't right now! I've got to make myself wait until after the wedding and then get into a bigger house! Oh but I want one now!

One Month

2010-01-16T00:52:00.001-06:00

I was thinking about Little Debbie tonight and particularly missing her. I miss her being at my feet. I miss her following me around the house. I miss her when the dogs come in from the back yard and there are only two there, not three. I miss laying on the bed with her and petting her and rubbing her long nose and her little belly. I miss her jumping up and putting her front paws on my lap and quietly pawing at me to pet her when I'm sitting here at the computer.

I hadn't opened the box with her ashes in it yet. I'd really been saving it till this spring when I can spread them in my iris garden. But I decided to open it and sat down with the box and spent a few minutes remembering her.

I opened the envelope with the crematory order and the rainbow bridge poem in it and read through everything again that I had already read. I haven't really been keeping track of the time... When I looked at the cremation certificate, it said December 15th. I guess I was thinking about her so much and missing her so much because I somehow knew that it had been a month.

It seems like longer for some reason. I've never had to let a pet go that had not been with me for many, many years. I had her such a short time-just two. She was so happy and joyful and playful. Such a sweet little girl. And she loved me so much.

BREAKTHROUGH!

2009-12-21T23:35:00.003-06:00

This is so very amazing! I just spent 45 minutes brushing Duncan! Seriously!

If you remember, Duncan absolutely HATES being brushed. He jumps away from the brush, snaps at the brush (air bites) and sometimes snaps at me too. It's a terrible struggle, and he just has not let me do it. The last time he was at the groomers was absolutely horrible. (Sorry Brenda!) His undercoat is getting terrible and he looked like a raggamuffin. So awhile back I asked my Vet about a mild sedative to try and see if that would help with brushing him and for during thunderstorms. I tried it last night and it seemed to have little to no impact on him. He was still up and moving around the house like normal after two hours. I didn't even try brushing him. So I talked to my Vet today when I picked up Debbie's ashes I asked him about this and he told me I could double the dosage and try that.

So I gave him the double dose tonight and it still did not seem to have any more impact. But I decided to try anyway. I leashed Duncan and took him in the bedroom and shut the door so it was nice and quiet for us. I took his brush and a bag of soft dog treats. We sat down on the bed together and I started out just giving him a few treats, which he loved. Then I started brushing.
I kept to his head and ears and under his chin at first because if I ever go straight for his body he flips out. It was horrible as usual at first. He snapped at and bit the brush several times and even jumped at me and snapped the air too. I firmly, but quietly told him No, each time and took a few deep breaths and continued. Once he let me do a few strokes without reacting at all I gave him some small bits of the treats. That got his attention. So I filled my left hand with a bunch of small bits and gave him one for every few strokes that he remained calm. We kept doing this for a few minutes and then I started to move on to his neck, and eventually his back. I kept refilling my left hand and he kept taking the treats as I brushed his back, getting all that nasty undercoat that was peaking through out. He even let me move down to rear-end! He's usually so sensitive about anyone touching him anywhere near his hind-quarters, but as long as I gave him bits of the treats every few strokes or so he remained completely calm and let me brust him. By the time I decided to stop he was half way in my lap licking my left hand for the treats and I had a pile of Sheltie fuzz sitting next to me! He looked so much better already, with his reddish coat showing nicely instead of messy undercoat.

I did not try to work on his skirt at all, or on his belly. I want to make sure he remains calm for the easy part and that he has a good experience before I move on to the hard parts. Those will be more scary and more difficult for him to allow me to do.

I'm not sure how much affect the sedative had or did not have on him. I think I'll go back to just the regular dosage and try this again in a day or two and see how that goes. If that continues to go well, I'll work on weaning him off the sedative at all and see if he can handle it with just the yummy treats. Who knows, maybe I'll be lucky enough to get him to actually enjoy being brushed. But for now, we had a very positive experience that I can hopefully build on. I am so excited!

Debbie's Smile

2009-12-20T23:18:00.005-06:00

I was looking through pictures tonight at found this old one that Barbra must have taken at Petco one Saturday. It was Duncan's "birthday." I'd had Debbie for about 6 months at this point. She's so cute and pretty sitting in my lap with that great big smile. Happy to be close to her Momma.

Vote!

2009-12-17T21:39:00.005-06:00

Ok, everyone vote for Debbie for the Sheltie of the Month Contest! She deserves it!!! http://kcsheltierescue.org/Photo_Gallery/displayimage.php?album=5&pos=21

Thank You!

2009-12-17T20:20:00.004-06:00

Thank you everyone so much for all the cards and posts and comments. It definitely helps me to be able to talk about Debbie with you all and to get your well wishes and thoughts. I really appreciate everyone sharing with me in this.

It's still really strange not having her around here. When I let the dogs in the house from the back yard I look for her, expecting her to be trailing in behind the others. It's strange to leave for work in the morning and not having her bark at me as I go out the front door telling me she wants me to stay. And strange when I come home at night not to have her dance and prance around me until I let her jump up to lean on my leg while I kiss her hello. It's strange to watch TV without her either snuggled down on the couch or putting her front paws on the arm of my chair to get me to pet her. I feel like I'm missing a step when I feed the dogs in the morning and when I put them to bed at night. It still feels very unreal.

I'm expecting the phone call from my Vet any day now to tell me her cremains have come back from Rolling Acres and are ready for me to pick up. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do with her ashes. For Duncan, I would spread his ashes at the park we walk at. He just loves walking at the park and it would be a very appropriate place for me to take him at the end. But I'm not sure that would be right for Debbie. She just loved being with me. (You can only say that about a dog and not sound conceited.) I could spread her ashes here at home in the back yard, but I plan to move into a bigger house within the next few years, so I'm not sure that feels right either. On the other hand, I don't feel like I personally need to have her ashes sitting on the mantle in an urn. I've never had this problem before. I've always known exactly where my pets' final resting places should be.

Anyway, thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. They truly help me.

Letting Debbie Go

2009-12-13T20:06:00.006-06:00

If you are just reading this, make sure you read the next post down before this one. I just couldn't write it out all at one time.

So we took Debbie inside and explained to the Vet what had been going on. She was so weak she didn't even struggle when the Vet examined her. He first said she would need to be hospitalized on fluids for the weekend while they ran blood tests etc. I hated the thought of leaving her there. Then they asked if we wanted to wait while they did the blood test and I of course said I did. While we were waiting for the results Debbie got sick again, vomiting even more blood this time.

At this point I was pretty sure what it was and really would have been surprised if he had come back and said something different than Kidney Failure. But that didn't stop the sting of tears in my eyes or the tightening of my throat. He offered to try getting her on fluids, but had also said that some of her measurements of the toxins in her system were off the charts and that we would of course not cure it. Basically her kidneys were already too damaged to be able to do much at all. I tried to ask him some questions, but really coudln't get much out through my tears. I think I did get something about about what would make this happen in a dog so young? I mean, with my cat Charlotte, he was 19 years old and it was just a matter of time before something gave out in his little body. It wasn't really a surprise when it was his kidneys. But Debbie is only 5! The Vet didn't really have an answer to that for me at all.

I asked him to give us a few minutes and tried to keep the sobbs from escaping my throat before he left the room. Not out of shame. More out of a desire for privacy. He barely got the door closed before I turned to Leighton and started sobbing. Debbie lay weakly on the table without moving. There really wasn't anything to discuss, I just needed a few moments to loose it, and then pull myself back together so I could say goodbye. I leaned over her and wraped my arms around her the best I could and kissed her. I told her I was so sorry, that it wasn't enough time, and that I loved her so much. I snuggled her, petted her, kissed her and held her for a few moments that seemed too short. But she was still hurting and I didn't want that to keep going. So I opened the door and told the Vet we were ready to let her go.

I held her little head in my hands as she went, looking into her eyes, rubbing her little face and nose (she loved to have her nose rubbed) and kissing her. Her head went gently slack in my hand and I lowered it slowly to the table. I waited for the vet to check her pulse without moving from her head. I barely heard him saying the usual "Best thing for you to do for her," and something about staying with her as long as we like, before he left the room. Then I wrapped my arms around her again and sobbed.

I feel so bad because in hind-sight I can see what some of the signs were over the last month, but they happened so gradually I either didn't notice at the time or didn't put the pieces together. I feel like if I had taken her to the Vet even just a week earlier we could have caught it before so much damage had been done to her kidneys that she could have had some more quality time with fluids and stuff. It would have been nice to have that warning and some more time to prepare and say goodbye. I know I couldn't have saved her and would have had to let go eventually anyway, but I feel like I failed her somewhat by not realizing sooner that it was so bad and getting her some help and more time. She just went from sick to deathly ill overnight Friday night.

So there it is. That's what happened to my sweet Little Debbie. Rolling Acres is picking her up and she'll be cremated. My Vet will get the ashes back next week and will call me. I think when I pick them up I'll see if my regular Vet can tell me anything about why this would happen in a dog so young as Debbie.

Sick to Deathly Ill

2009-12-13T18:39:00.004-06:00

As promised, here's what happened with my poor Little Debbie. Last month as previously mentioned, I took Debbie to the Vet because she was limping inexplicably. After weighing her he did mention that she had lost some weight, however he did think it was a healthy amount. He did say she shouldn't loose any more. He also gave her some ear medication as she had another yeast infection in her ears. Poor Debbie hated that stuff. When I would get ready to give it to her she would sit on the bed trembling. Her ears must have been pretty sensitive. But she sat there and let me do it like the good girl that she was, and then enjoyed me rubbing the ointment in after I had squeezed some into each ear. She got some diarrhea after I had given her the medication for a few days, and I figured it might be because of how it upset her or something because when I backed off giving her the medication every day, to every other day it went away.

Then, earlier this week I noticed Debbie was eating less and less of her kibble. I also noticed she seemed to have lost more weight again. On Thursday and Friday she didn't want any of her kibble, so I gave her some canned food and she at that right up. Yumm. I have Monday off this week and since she was still eating I figured I would take her to the Vet on Monday. She was definitely acting like she didn't feel very well. Not her usual peppy, play full and bouncy self. But since she was eating and drinking I was not too worried. Just a little. I should have been more.

On Saturday morning, even when we first got up in the morning she didn't seem too bad. I took the dogs out to potty and she was about the same. But after we came back in Debbie thew up the canned food I had given her the night before. And then she just started getting sick, over and over and over again. She hadn't been vomiting at all before this. She stood in the yard in a daze. Leighton had to carry her back in the house. She went to her kennel and laid down. She slowly rolled over on her side and just lay there, weakened from vomiting. She was obviously not going to wait till Monday and I had to take her to the emergency vet now.

I got her out of the kennel (had to pull her out she was so weak) and wrapped her in a towel because it was still pretty cold outside. As we got in the truck and I held her weak little body in my arms I started to get scared. Up till then I still thought she would be back to her bouncy happy self in a few days wanting me to play with her again. I held her in my arms all the way to the Vet's barely keeping myself from sobbing, wiping the tears on the towel around her.

When we got to the emergency Vet's I realized what time it was. It was only a little after 11:30 in the morning and they didn't open until noon. But my regular Vet is closed on Saturday so there was nothing we could do but wait. While we did, Debbie started getting sick and I got out of the truck with her. What she threw up had blood in it this time. I couldn't understand how she had gotten so bad, so incredibly fast. The Vet finally showed up at 2 after 12:00 and we took her inside.

I'll write some more a little later...

A Parting Prayer

2009-12-12T21:38:00.002-06:00

A friend sent this to me tonight. I didn't think I had any more tears left to cry tonight...

Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.
Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.
Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.
Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.
Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.
Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.
and thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.
Amen.

written & copyrighted: Brandy Duckworth, 1998

Little Debbie Loss

2009-12-12T20:25:00.002-06:00

Sad news to report tonight. I had to put my sweet Little Debbie to sleep this morning. It was Kidney Failure. I think I'm still in a bit of shock. She was only 5 and it all happened so fast. I'll add a post hopefully tomorrow with everything that happened. I just can't get myself to type it all out right now. I just can't believe it. It's not fair. The two and a half years I had her just wasn't long enough.

Lucy Blue

2009-12-07T22:42:00.002-06:00

Just finished reading this book by Janice Mitchell. I wish I had this book when I first got Duncan. I love it because it is just so similar to Duncan and my story. Janice was just as inexperienced in rehabilitating mill dogs as I was (and am) when I got Duncan. She had to learn as she went just like I did with Duncan.

Lucy Blue was much worse than Duncan was when I got him if you can believe that. She actually reminds me of little Micah that we have with Kansas City Sheltie Rescue. Micah was completely shut down when he first came to rescue. He could not handle the world around him and was completely withdrawn into himself to escape from it. Sounds like Lucy was very similar to this. She was so bad that the folks at Second Chance Sheltie Rescue (out of St. Louis Missouri) were afraid they would have to put her down. That resonates with me too since Duncan's breeder took him to the Vet to be put down when they were done breeding him. Fortunately for me that Vet asked if he could give my Dunkie to a rescue group.

So little Lucy Blue was worse off than where Duncan started out at and she went on to do Rally Obedience and became a Certified Therapy Dog! Just amazing! I would love to be able to do that with Duncan, but he is still so touch sensitive that I wouldn't trust him yet.

Anyway, I definitely recommend this book! You can order it at Second Chance Sheltie Rescue's website.

The Diary of Lucy Blue...

2009-12-01T22:48:00.002-06:00

"The Diary of Lucy Blue: A Puppy Mill Survivor's Story"

I can't wait to read this book. But man, I wish I had thought of publishing Duncan's story in a book! Read more about this book on Sheltie Nation!

Gimpy Little Debbie

2009-11-16T18:43:00.002-06:00

I had to take Little Debbie to the Vet today. She started limping really bad yesterday afternoon out of the blue. I tried to check her leg and paw out to see if there were any cuts or anything and there was nothing. She never likes her paws messed with, but she did snap at me when I was checking out her paw. "Yes, that hurts Mom!"

X-rays show no broken bones, but it looks like she has an old injury in her left front elbow. Maybe dislocated or something when she was in the puppy mill. The joint pops in and out when it's flexed. Got a pain killer/anti inflamatory for her for about a week. Hopefully that makes her feel better.

I also got a script for Duncan for a mild sedative that I can give him when a thunderstorm breaks out, and to try giving him before I brush him. I can't wait to try it. If I could brush him myself without him going bonkers it would be great. Maybe I could even get some toothbrushing in. We'll have to see.

Soon as I get my tax return, both kids are going in for dentals!

On Food...

2009-11-15T21:38:00.004-06:00

Who knew it was so complicated? Certainly interesting anyway...

So one of the chapters in this book "Help For Your Fearful Dog" covers food and the impact it can have on your dog's behavior. Supposedly, fearful or nervous dogs can feel and behave even more so (or less so) based on their diet.

I guess dog food manufactures are legally required to list the content of the food in descending order by bulk weight. So the food has more of the ingredients listed first. The author says that the first two ingredients should be meat because dogs are primarily carnivores. But there are three grades to the quality of meat: whole meat, meal (ex. "chicken meal") and by-products, each in order of respective quality. By-products, in chicken for example can contain heads, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines.

With Thanksgiving coming up, I'm sure we all remember hearing that the post-turkey induced coma is caused by the amino acid in turkey called tryptophan (precursor to serotonin.) Ahh the calming and relaxing post-turkey bliss... So it makes sense that dogs, especially fearful dogs, are positively impacted by foods containing tryptophan.

Corn is high in the amino acid tyrosine. I guess this amino acid does just the opposite of the tryptophan in our friend the turkey. It blocks the amino acids required to produce serotonin from passing to the brain. "...it is not conducive to a calm state of mind."

"Other ingredients to avoid include artificial colors or flavors, and any that are not identified by source (for example, 'animal fat'.) Also, read the ingredient line that begins 'preserved with...' The desirable preservatives are vitamins E (sometimes listed as 'mixed tocopherols') and C (often called 'ascorbic acid'.) The unhealtful , potentially cancer-causing preservatives are BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin."

So after reading this chapter, I of course went straight to the label on the newly purchased 40 pound bag of dog food sitting in my kitchen. My dogs are currently fed Pedigree - adult complete nutrition, small crunchy bites.

So what are the first few ingredients in my dog's food? Sigh...

Ground whole corn, meat and bone meal, ground whole wheat, corn gluten meal, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid), wheat mill run, chicken by-product meal...

Not only an I feeding my nervous dogs food of poor qulaity that is not conducive to helping them develop calm and less nervous characters, there's that "potentially cancer-causing" BHA. The first two ingredients are not meat. It's got almost all of the negative ingredients mentioned and none of recommended quality. So it looks like I'll be making a trip to the pet store to review food labels.

I'll check up on some common kibbles and report back. Seems a change in diet may be in order here. Does anyone feed their dog a Science Diet kibble? If so, could you post a comment with the ingredients for me?

Quote of a Quote

2009-11-14T10:44:00.002-06:00

So I forgot in the last post to give you who wrote this book and stuff. Ok, so it's "Help for Your Fearful Dog A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Your Dog Conquer His Fears" by Nicole Wilde CPDT.

I found an interesting quote in how it relates to puppy mill mothers and their pups in the first part of the book (although the author is not directly speaking about mill dogs.) It's actually a quote of a quote.

"As canine behavior consultant and author Steven R. Lindsay states. 'Emotional stressors affecting the mother during gestation, together with excessively stressful postnatal conditions, may exert a lifelong detrimental influence on the way dogs cope with fear and anger-provoking situations' and 'Together, heredity and adverse prenatal and postnatal stressors may destine many young dogs to express reactive traits and tendencies before they open their eyes...' In other words, breeders can have an effect on the pups' temperaments via careful management of the dam's environment and attention to her stress levels."

This makes perfect sense as to why puppy mill dogs, and particularly Shelties who do not usually respond well to such an environment to begin with, can often be so emotionally damaged and affected. In addition, if the pup is retained by the breeder (or transferred to another breeder's mill) to become stock for further breeding instead of sold, his character is further impacted by never receiving the world socialization needed to be come a healthy dog. (Unless rescued later in life once usefulness as a sire has been exhausted.)

As you have read here, the biggest impact to Duncan's recovery after he arrived in my home was socialization. We of course started out slowly so as not to create negative experiences, but we went for walks in my quiet neighborhood, went for car rides, started visiting parks when there were few people and dogs, and visited the homes of my family members. This allowed him to experience and learn how to interact in these different environments. As he became more comfortable we progressed to more difficult things like visiting Petco late in the evening when not too many people were there and moved on to attending the bustling Petco adoption events with the Rescue Group that he came from. Where Duncan once laid down in the middle of the street on our first walk when he saw a person going into their house up ahead of us and would not move until they were inside, he now actually enjoys being at dog events where there are crowds of people. He was so excited when we went to the recent Paws in the Park event. We got there and he was pulling me from the parking lot to get to where the crowds of people and dogs were so he could see what was going on.

It makes me wonder what kind of dog Duncan would have been had he received the socialization he needed when he was a pup.

Help for Your Fearful Dog

2009-11-12T19:01:00.006-06:00

So I got a copy of this in the mail today from Amazon. I'll let you know what I think after reading it!

Agile Little Debbie

2009-10-24T09:03:00.019-05:00

So last weekend Debbie and I went to an Agility Clinic at Dogtoberfest. She did so great! As is to be expected, the first few times she went over this ladder she was a little nervous. But going over a few more times she learned quick quick quick! After that, it really only took her one time on a new obstacle before she was fairly confident. Even going over the raised board she quickly just walked next to me and didn't jump off!

After having gone over jumps and through the weave pols and tunnel at our Sheltie Play Day recently, those were pretty easy for her too! I don't have a picture of the tunnel, but she went through it all the way extended!

Debbie didn't want any treats when we did this (too much activity going on!) But she seemed to soak up the praise from me. She did so well that we may see about taking an agility class later this winter sometime.

This last one is from the Sheltie Play Day. She just wants to please her Momma. She's so cute!

Duncan has discovered...

2009-10-21T08:37:00.003-05:00

...The butt scratch. You will never believe this. Ok, so I haven't written in awhile. It's been a little difficult to write new material because Duncan has plateaued in his improvement mostly. But I have something now! So, remember how I told you that Duncan had started to ask to be petted? He would walk up and look at you intently until you pet his head. And if you stopped, he would follow your hand with his head as if to say, "No, don't stop!" I love that he asks to be petted now, but I think we're on the verge of even more. Now, remember how Duncan did not really care to be touched on the rest of his body? If you went back to far behind his neck or towards his rear end(slow or fast)he would startle and jump away. Well he's starting to get much better about that. I can pet from his head to his tail (not including down the length of his tail) and he very rarely jumps away anymore. The other day I was sitting out on the deck while the dogs were out and Duncan walked by my chair. I reached out and petted him, and when he was still standing there I gave him a few scratches on the rump. I completely expected him to jump away and move out of reach but he didn't. He stood there for a few scratches and then quietly went about his business. I thought maybe that was just a fluke, but there's more. Last night Duncan passed me in one of the doorways in the house here. I reached down to run my hand over him as he went by and he stopped when my hand was over his rump. So I gave him some scratches. And when he didn't shy away I gave him a few more scratches. And then a few more... He let me stand there and scratch him for at least a minute or two! And this is the dog who would turn his back on me when I tried to pet him during his first few weeks with me!

I still can't pick him up without muzzling him, and he doesn't snuggle on my lap or anything, but he sure is getting to be ok about me touching him! And here I was thinking that we had made as much progress as we were going to make, and I was ok with that. But Duncan Hines seems to have more in store for me!

Ms. Josie

2009-06-09T13:21:00.000-05:00

Rodney and Beth, Blue Springs, MO

Ms Josie started life as a puppy mill baby. She was going to breed at 1 year old but at 6 months old she has a skin condition on her nose. She lost fur on her nose. Her littler mate Rex also lost fur on her face. The breeder turn both Josie and Rex into LL Dog Rescue. Glenn Jones Sheltie foster did research on the spots on there nose and found out that they both Had DM (Sheltie Skin). Rex and Josie were treated and both are fine now. Josie came to live with us and she never wanted to leave. She was a failed foster. She was real outgoing and active at my home(playing, being crazy). She would go to a family and she would hide. I had to get her out from under a deck and behind a TV. I would bring her home and she would be normal. So Ms Josie adopted us. We call her the crazy lady. She is a super active lady who has wore out 3 Aussies. She is 18 lbs and took on 35 lbs Aussies. She is super fast and loves to go in her back yard. She is all ways looking out the window when I come home and will herd me to the treats. Ms Josie is daddy's little girl.

Sometimes they pick us Rodney!

Lil Lady

2009-06-08T23:03:00.007-05:00

Diane Greene, Byron, GA
Lil Lady, Female, Approx Age - 3 years

ADOPTABLE!! Lil Lady has been fully vetted and is being "prettied up" before transport to Peach State Sheltie Rescue

Lil Lady is a tri sheltie that has been wondering (surviving) in a South Bibb County neighborhood in Macon, GA for about 9 months. I found out about her through a friend. Her sister lived in the neighborhood and had begun bringing LL in at night so she wouldn't get hurt. Her sister could not afford to provide the care LL needed. From the Vet, we learned that LL was spayed approximately 9-12 months ago and is heartworm "NEGATIVE". They are fully vetting her and providing the spa treatment she needs as she is very matted from being on her own. We assume she ate well as she is overweight and will be put on a smart plan. LL is a very pretty girl but a little timid from being on the street. Probably for lack of anything else to do, LL has a tendency to chase cars. Why wouldn't she? She is bored and needs a job like all shelties!

LL's transport to Atlanta will be this coming Thursday where they will find her a forever home. Updated photos will be provided.

A Great First Week!

2009-06-07T12:50:00.000-05:00

30 Days of Dog is going great so far! We have 7 adorable dogs, but we have zero comments voting for any of these dogs! They're all so cute, we have to have votes for them! (Yes, you can vote for your own fur-kid!) I have added an "Email This Post" link at the bottom of each post to make it easier for you to email to your friends and ask them to come vote for your pal!

I also still need lots and lots more pictures to fill up the 30 days. Rescue/Foster Moms and Dads, if you have dogs available for adoption, send me their pics and what kind of home they are looking for and we'll get them posted so you can get them even more exposure! See the 30 Days of Dog post for the information I'd like to include in the post for you.

Keep the cute coming!

Montana

2009-06-07T11:22:00.001-05:00

Like I said, Barbra adopted more than one of her fosters!

Montana Rain II, 6 year old Bi-black Sheltie

Montana Rain II was born in Montana and found himself in a shelter before he was a year old. Probably too much Sheltie for the person who purchased him from the breeder. He has always been a very high energy Sheltie. Montana was adopted and shipped to Overland Park. Oh, the dear boy didn't have a fenced yard and proved too much for the older couple who adopted him. He was my first foster. Okay, YES, I am a failed foster since I adopted him. His paperwork had his name as Rain II. I figure he was the second one born on a rainy night. Montana is the most amazing Frisbee dog. We completed obedience training and he earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen title. Montana is very athletic so he gave agility a shot. He was never motivated by treats so toys were his reward at the end of a run.
Montana enjoys outings like Dogtoberfest and is a great sport in his Peppe LaPue costume. His Sheltie colors are known as bi-black. He is just black and white, so he was perfect for the costume. Looks real doesn't it? People actually asked if he was marked that way. We had to smile.
Montana loves the lake and to run the water's edge chasing the waves, so he is our "wave runner". He can do this for hours. He is also my Seadoo buddy. We love to tootle around the shore line checking out the scenery and just looking cute.
Montana is small and six now. He does love his toys and carries one where ever he goes. He is living the good life.

Meet Kasey JOOOOOOnes!

2009-06-06T11:08:00.008-05:00

Barbra is also a foster Mom for Kansas City Sheltie Rescue and coudln't help adopting one of her fosters! (Well, more than one as you will see.)

Barbra, Kansas City, Kansas
Kasey JOOOOOOnes 2 year old Male

Kasey came into rescue at 5 months old. He had a deep hole in his abdomen. Apparently his mother must have munched it during birth. After a specialized surgery, he is all fixed. Kasey hops around the yard, earning the nick name of "Jack Rabbit". As he grew and became more confident, he became known as, "Little Man". Well, full grown, he is very small at 12 lbs. and 2 yrs. old. You can see his confidence as he stands at alert, just waiting for the next thing in life to happen. Kasey actually thinks he "rules the roost"! To him "Little Man" means "BIG Man," since he is only as small as the largest dog in the house (usually 32 lbs. or more)-----at least in his own mind!
Nap times are the only times he is not on the go! You can almost say these are the times he is on his best behavior. :) The boy is just too smart for his own good. Kasey frequently creates havoc and mischief. If not for his puppy mill background he would have been the most perfect agility dog. Small, fast, able to "leap tall buildings with a single bound" and "turn on a dime and leave nine cents change"! These are skills he loves to show off in the comfort and safety of his home and yard as he entertains the familiar crowd.

Love the little tongue during his nap Barbra!

Tristan

2009-06-05T08:38:00.002-05:00

Tristan is also an alumni of our rescue group!

Shirlee, St. Joseph, MO.

This is Tristan (aka "T"). He came to rescue in February of 2007 from a shelter in Wichita where he’d overstayed his welcome. He fostered with Rodney & his family. T picked me at a Petco adoption event in March of 2007. T was just barely a year old (still chewing and play biting), weighed a lean 29 pounds and stood 2 inches taller than the "breed standard". Just perfect! He knew that I needed him and not some little dog.

Tristan now weighs about 37 pounds. I should mention that while he was gaining weight I lost 10 pounds due to all of our walking and have pretty much kept it off? You think twice about what you snack on when you know you have to share it with the dog! Shelties are just perfect little fitness programs.

Tristan knows he's big and is a serious dog boy with little patience for excessive petting and snuggling. Don't take that to mean that he isn't affectionate. He follows me everywhere and would spend every waking moment at my side if he had his way. T loves our car rides, is eager to learn new tricks, to hike new trails, and boy does he ever love his cookies. Will Work for Cookies is his motto. Next to doggie day care, his favorite place to visit is the Quick Lane oil & lube place. He’s definitely all boy, even if everyone does call him "Lassie".

In the picture T is enjoying a nap with his favorite squeaky toy. I cannot help but smile whenever he takes off running around the house making squeaky noises. Well, gotta go walk the dog.

Love the squeekey Shirlee!

Cody

2009-06-04T20:20:00.009-05:00

This is Cody, my Niece Julie's dog.

Arlington Heights, IL
Age almost 12 (birthday in July),
Female, possibly terrier/sheltie mix.

We adopted Cody from someone at my husband's work, whose uncle had bought a small puppy in bar but could not take care of it. They were told the puppy was a male purebred German Shepherd, but they were wrong! The vet told us that she was only 3-4 weeks old and would need puppy milk for awhile. Baby Cody licked the milk from my fingers until she got stronger.

Cody has always been a very smart, athletic, sensitive dog. She has become sweeter and more affectionate every year, and gives us many laughs and licks every day.

Beautiful pictures Anna. She definitely looks like she could be part Sheltie. Happy Birthday Cody!

Ernie

2009-06-03T18:12:00.005-05:00

Ernie is an alumni of our rescue group! Rodney and Beth are fosters for Kansas City Sheltie Rescue!

Rodney and Beth, Blue Springs, MO

Ernie is 11 year old 42 lbs Sheltie who was adopted from LL Dog Rescue in 2006.
Ernie came into rescue due to his father going into a nursing home with alltimers. Ernie's litter mate was Bert who was kept by family members. Bert and Ernie grew up on a farm and were working Shelties. They went with their father everyday to work on the farm.
Ernie came into rescue when he was 8 . The first time I saw him I knew he was the dog for me. The first day he came into rescue he was adopted by our family.
Ernie is a very active Sheltie who does agility,flyball and loves the dog park.
Ernie can do 10 tricks and is a great walker. We try to do all the dog walks.
Ernie goes everywhere with me . He loves to ride in my pick-up truck and loves Pizza and Ice cream.

Here's to many years with Ernie, Rodney!

Beau and Coda

2009-06-02T17:50:00.001-05:00

Here are our first contestants! Make sure to email your friends to come vote or to submit thier dogs!

Nicole & Brian Engard, Pennsylvania
Dogs: Beau (sable) male, 2ish (rescued) and Coda (bi-black) female, 4.5 years.

Right after we were married, Brian and I got Coda as a tiny 2 pound bundle of puppy. When she got old enough (and we got a bigger yard) we decided that we still had plenty of love to share and decided that we wanted to rescue a baby who didn't have the luck to grow up like Coda had. We volunteered for several sheltie rescues in the area and kept and eye on their rescue lists. We weren't picky, as long as Coda got along with the dog we picked, we were happy. After months of looking, we found Beau. Beau came from a house where his owner traveled frequently and left him alone in a crate to fend for himself. Then when the owner was home Beau would run around and bark and ask for attention and so the owner opened up his front door and let Beau leave. Thank goodness a friendly neighbor swooped Beau up and gave him to the Northern Chesapeake Sheltie Rescue. In our first months together, we found that Beau was the most loving little Sheltie we had ever met. He slept in our bed the first night (without our invitation) and wanted us to squeeze him between us. We soon leared (from a professional) that Beau has OCD! A little bit of medication, a bit more training and a ton of love and Beau is doing wonderfully in his new home! The reason we included Coda in this picture as well is because we wanted everyone to see how happy Beau is to be in a loving home with a sister of his very own to torture and love - how could life be any better?
Beau loves nothing more than his sister Coda. He loves to romp with her in the back yard and play chase. When Coda hides, he will often walk away from her and feign disinterest - only to barrel into her as soon as she comes out of hiding. No matter how many times we see them play it makes us smile and laugh.

You can see more of Coda & Beau online at flicker(They're my favorite subjects for photos.)

Congratulations on such a happy pair of kids Nicole! Thanks for adopting!

30 Days of Dog

2009-06-01T21:48:00.008-05:00

So a friend of mine does a "30 Days of Blog" challenge every June. I told him I didn't think I'd have enough material to do a post for every day in June. But then I had an idea, and you can help me out with it! We'll do a photo contest. Send me in pictures of your dog or dogs with the following information below and I will post them.

The post with the most comments and the end of the month wins! (Ok, so the posts at the beginning of the month have an unfair advantage that way, so I won't determine the winner until July 5th.) As a special incentive, I will donate $30 to the Kansas City Sheltie Rescue in the name of the winning dog!

So send in your photos with your information, and then send a link to Winning Duncan Over to all your friends to vote for your fuzzy pal! You can also send your friends Duncan's email address so they can enter their fur kids too! (Or just email them this post!)

Photo Requirements:

Adoptable dogs and rescued dogs will be the first priority to be posted. After that it will be first-come first-serve.
Send your cute, funny, amazing, or just plain great pictures of your beloved pooch!
Shelties are always favored, but any breed can be submitted so long as he or she is your own beloved pet.

Please Include:

Your name and location (city, state, country.)
Dog's name, gender, and age if known.
If the dog is adoptable, please include the URL for the website where the dog can be viewed. We want to help get his or her picture out there!
If you have adopted a rescued dog, tell me his or her story if you know it and how you found each other.
Tell me a little about your dog; what he likes or doesn't like, a funny story about him - anything you'd want someone to know about him. If your dog is adoptable, tell me what kind of home he is looking for.
Email your picture to Duncan at rescuedmysheltie@yahoo.com or just click on the link of Duncan at the mailbox above!

So send in those pictures and pass the word around too! I've got 30 days to fill here!

Famous Little Debbie

2009-05-26T17:11:00.003-05:00

Debbie's on Sheltie Nation again!

Introducing...

2009-04-23T20:04:00.004-05:00

I am excited to announce that the Sheltie fosters of LL Dog Rescue have formed a breed-specific rescue group! Check out the new website!

Kansas City Sheltie Rescue

Puppy Mill Capital, USA?

2009-03-28T18:17:00.008-05:00

Check out this story that Nightline did on Puppy Mill's last night. They touched on some of the worse mills that are out there and that is the kind of mill that Duncan Hines and Little Debbie lived in; Duncan for 8 years and Debbie for 3. Debbie lived on chicken wire and her paws were very sensitive for a long time after I got her. She also had never gotten the exercise she needed and her muscles were very weak for awhile too. She could not jump up into my small car (less than a foot off the ground) for at least a month after she came home.

Click on the link to see the news story.
Puppy Mill Capital, USA?

To be honest however, I was dissapointed with this story. Nightline just barely touched on the poor care and conditions in many of the mills across America. They spent more time with a breeder who seemed to give at least decent care to his dogs. They barely scratched the surface on the more serious problems with mills. I'm afraid that many of the people who viewed this story will have been left with the impression that "Puppy Mills aren't that bad. They have clean kennels, clean food and water, exercise..." when in more instances the situation is much much worse.

I have left feedback for ABC on their site saying as much, and invite you to do the same. I'd like to see them do more, dig deeper. You can leave feedback here: http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3052660. Maybe if they get enough feedback to this effect, they'll do another, better story.

Snake Saturday

2009-03-15T18:30:00.000-05:00

Duncan and Debbie did so good walking in the parade! We had a few situations with some upset Shelties when a marching band went by us. But for the most part all went well! Debbie pranced along the whole parade in her green boa. And Duncan cameright along with us. Here are some great pics!

The Rescuer's Final Reward

2009-03-12T18:40:00.006-05:00

This is Sparky and his beloved rescuer and adopter Ron. Ron passed away this past week after a battle with Cancer. He was a devoted member of our rescue group and fostered dogs, worked our adoption days at Petco, and performed Vet references and fence checks for potential adopters. He performed countless other services as well including being Santa for many years for our Christmas pet pictures at Petco and judging the costume contest at our annual alumni picnic. If you remember, Ron even dog sat Duncan and Debbie for me a couple of times. Sparky was his devoted companion to the very end and is being cared for now by faces familiar to him from LL Dog Rescue. Ron will be greatly missed. Thank you to all Rescuers and Fosters!

The Rescuer’s Final Reward
(Caution, tears inevitable.)
Unlike most days at the Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray. All the recent arrivals at the Bridge did not know what to think, as they had never seen such a day. But the animals who had been waiting longer for their beloved people to accompany them across the Bridge knew what was happening, and they began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge.

Soon an elderly dog came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. He approached slowly, and though he showed no sign of injury or illness, he was in great emotional pain. Unlike the animals gathered along the pathway, he had not been restored to youth and vigor upon arriving at the Bridge. He felt out of place, and wanted only to cross over and find happiness.

But as he approached the Bridge, his way was barred by an angel, who apologized and explained that the tired and broken-spirited old dog could not cross over. Only those animals accompanied by their people were allowed to cross the Bridge. Having nobody, and with nowhere else to turn, the dog trudged into the field in front of the Bridge.

There he found others like himself, elderly or infirm, sad and discouraged. Unlike the other animals waiting to cross the Bridge, these animals were not running or playing. They simply were lying in the grass, staring forlornly at the pathway across the Rainbow Bridge. The old dog took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting, yet not knowing for what.

One of the newer dogs at the Bridge asked a cat who had been there longer to explain what was happening. The cat replied, "Those poor animals were abandoned, turned away, or left at rescue places, but never found a home on earth. They all passed on with only the love of a rescuer to comfort them. Because they had no people to love them, they have nobody to escort them across the Rainbow Bridge."

The dog asked the cat, "So what will happen to those animals?" Before the cat could answer, the clouds began to part and the cold turned to bright sunshine. The cat replied, "Watch, and you will see."

In the distance was a single person, and as he approached the Bridge the old, infirm and sad animals in the field were bathed in a golden light. They were at once made young and healthy, and stood to see what their fate would be. The animals who had previously gathered at the pathway bowed their heads as the person approached. At each bowed head, the person offered a scratch or hug. One by one, the now youthful and healthy animals from the field fell into line behind the person. Together, they walked across the Rainbow Bridge to a future of happiness and unquestioned love.

The dog asked the cat, "What just happened?"

The cat responded, "That was a rescuer. The animals gathered along the pathway bowing in respect were those who had found their forever homes because of rescuers. They will cross over when their people arrive at the Bridge. The arrival here of a rescuer is a great and solemn event, and as a tribute they are permitted to perform one final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort all those poor animals they couldn’t place on earth across the Rainbow Bridge."

The dog thought for a moment, then said, "I like rescuers." The cat smiled and replied, "So does heaven, my friend. So does heaven."

~Author Unknown

Snake Saturday Parade

2009-02-05T19:43:00.003-06:00

Guess what! LL Dog Rescue is entering the Snake Saurday Parade in North Kansas City on March 14th. And Duncan and Debbie have been invited to bring me and walk in the parade with the rescue group! Come watch the parade and enjoy a family friendly day of food and entertainment while we support rescue and adoption!

Duncan as a Baby

2009-02-02T07:25:00.001-06:00

Ok, so this is not really a picture of Duncan as a baby. This is Caesar, who's adorable pic was posted on Sheltie Nation yesterday.

Today marks Duncan's "birthday," as he came home to me two years ago on February 2nd. He is 11 years old now! Since Duncan was born in the puppy mill and kept for stud, I have no pictures of him in his younger years. But can't you just imagine that this must have been exactly what he would have looked like? Oh how I wish I could have rescued him at this age and had him to cuddle and snuggle and kept him safe from everything he went through! But I have him now, and he will be safe for the rest of his life.

Oh, all that puppy cuteness! 1, 2, 3...Awww! Happy Birthday Dunkie!

Duncan Early On

2009-01-30T21:47:00.007-06:00

Duncan's "birthday" is coming up fast. I thought I would post a video I took of him during his very first spring with me. As you can see he was still very nervous and I was still having lots of trouble trying to get him to come into the house. He just kept running back and forth barking at me. What an ordeal that used to be! I'll see if I can get a video of him in the back yard later this spring to show you how far he has come!

The Last Survivor!

2008-12-24T19:09:00.001-06:00

It is coming up on two years since I became a Sheltie parent on February 2, 2007, and I have just received some incredible news from one of the fosters at LL Dog Rescue! The puppy mill that Duncan was rescued from HAS CLOSED!!! That's right, they are closing shop and going OUT OF BUSINESS!!! This may be due to the economy. I don't know for sure, but it really doesn't matter. They are closed!

The last Sheltie has been placed with LL (but not before she was dumped at a kill shelter.) Her name is Celie. The last survivor! Isn't she adorable! But alas, Celie is in serious need of medical care. She has a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) a shunt vessel by her heart that didn't close like it was supposed to after she was born. Please visit LL's "Help Celie" page to see more pictures of her, and to make a donation towards the expense of her surgery if you are able. Every little bit counts! Prayers are appreciate if you are unable to contribute financially!

If you remember from previous posts, my Duncan was taken to the Vet to be euthanized when this mill was finished breeding him after 8 years. Fortunately the Vet asked if he could send Dunkie to a rescue group instead! (Bless that Vet, wherever he or she is!) The following are the names of all the Shelties that LL Dog Rescue has rescued from this puppy mill over the years. And Celie is the last! What a great Christmas present!!

Logan
Duncan
Pikea
Dillon
Mackenzie
Madison
Fletcher
Sidney
Bandit
Bennie
Cocoa
Maree
Sheba
Bea
Cher
Andy
Thea
Megan
Darby
Kasey Jones
McKinzy
Cricket
Hailey Ann
Mason Dixon
Cinnamon'nSugar
Flip
Amanda
Seamus
Molly
Waylon
Kensey
Bernie
Gage
Levi II
Molly
Anna
Sami
Mariah
Lady
Sarah
Cozy
Gidget
And the last one! Celie

Levi Found!

2008-12-15T18:34:00.001-06:00

I have failed to keep current lately and I'm sorry. For those of you who do not know, Levi was thankfully found again on October 11, 2008. Here is his story as told by those at LL Dog Rescue.

It all started July 7, 2008. I left the puppymill for someplace they call rescue. My first stop was the vet's office for all the things that will help me and keep me well, I heard. Man, I had a bath. I have to tell you, I was TERRIFIED! Now what was going to happen to me? I have seen some really scary things in my young life. I went for "the long ride" and didn't know where. Turned out, I moved into a home with other Shelties, but people lived there too. I have never lived with people and they have always scared me. I learned they weren't very nice creatures.
Things didn't seem so bad, but I wouldn't let my guard down. I will play with the Shelties, but stay away from the people. I would nap with one eye open in a different room where I felt safer. The people were good to me. I always had good food and fresh water, they would hold me and pet me and work to convince me I am really safe. I would appease them a bit. I learned to walk on a leash and even come by for some attention and petting. So, this is a foster home. I want to stay here FOREVER!

About six weeks later, my life changed again. My foster mom took me to a couple's home. They had installed a fence so I would have a safe place for potty outings and exercise. After a week I had the biggest scare of my life!!!!!!!!!! I was outside dragging a rope. The rope was to get me back in the house, since I was still afraid of these new people, after all, I didn't know them that well. I looked up and ROARING, coming up the yard was a lawnmower. I panicked. The gate was left open and all I could think to do was run for my life! That is what I did. I had to get away from that loud machine. The rope trailing behind me.

I ran and ran until I found the thickest brush I could hide in. I think I heard voices calling my name in the distance, but had to stay very quiet and still to be safe. I didn't know it was my foster mom. It could have been any strange person. I didn't sleep much that night or many nights after that. I woke up starving and thirsty. Water was everywhere so that was easy to find, until I got tangled by the rope I was dragging. Okay, I know what to do here. I'll chew it off. I left a little bit hanging, but I was free and on my search for food. I moved from house to house, out building to out building, sniffing and looking for anything, dog food, cat food, anything.

On Sept. 22nd, I was by the road at 215th Street & Stateline, when a car came by. It was so loud on the gravel road, I didn't know what to do, so just paced for an escape and then disappeared. Another night, then morning here comes a person with a couple of dogs walking. Maybe I can follow them and get something to eat. More nights came and went. Then the big storm! The thunder was so loud, I had to run for my life! It stayed with me all night long. I would try to rest, but it was there again. Finally it stopped. WHEW!

I found a house with little dogs outside. Little dogs were safe and there might be food. I romped and played in the yard with the little weenie dogs that morning. When they went in, I found a shady spot under a pine tree at 185th & Metcalf, napped and watched the cars go by. Then it happened, here came a person talking to me and coming up to me. I decided "I'm outa here!" I took off running for the farm fields full of high weeds to find a place to hide and nap after all that running. After a while, here came another person. When she saw me, she sat down. I stood up and slowly slipped away through the stand of pine trees. Next thing I knew, I was trotting down Metcalf with a car driving slowly beside me. A person got out and was after me. I ran back to the fields AND THEN, there were 5 people surrounding me. Wow, I was able to make it through the fence square and disappear. I was REALLY scared, so I ran and ran some more.

Four more nights passed. I found a lady with a big dog. Man, I think that dog wants to play, but he is too big for me. Time to slip back in the woods to hide some more. Maybe I should keep moving. I zipped across 175th Street just as that lady came driving by. I don't know where I am going, but North was my direction. Behind me there were just too many scary things.

Many days searching for food, shelter and water passed. It was 10 days later before my life was going to change again. On Oct. 11th at about 164th and Stateline a woman came running by with her dogs. One was really BIG. Scared me, so I took off. Gosh, I was so hungry, I found a chicken coop. The smell was interesting, but there was no food. I saw a guy coming my way, I headed back to the woods to hide and look for food. I could smell something. It was food!!!!! I crept up to it. There were soft towels like my long lost bed that was always safe. Oh, food!!! Then BAM! That scared me to death! Someone shut the crate door! No one was there, it was a TRAP and I fell for it. I had been so very smart, but maybe I still was. There was a dog barking and people came and dropped treats and food in for me.
Next thing I know still in the trap I was lifted into a car for another long ride. When we stopped, I was carried in the house, still in the trap. There were more Shelties. I got lots of food and clean water and then I could rest. I knew now that everything would be okay. The next day I moved to a small kennel, went for a short ride and guess who was there waiting for me??????? YES, it was my foster mom! I really am safe. I was so relieved that I didn't care while she combed and brushed out all the seeds and stickers out. She told me I was a mess and kind of skinny. My foster dad had the nasty job of picking 20+ ticks off me. Tonight, I am still tired, but I am safe. I plan to stay close to safety and will get more hugs and kisses after my bath. I heard I smell bad. LIFE IS GOOD!

We are all very relieved to have Levi back safe. We worried for nearly a month about coyotes, bobcats, cars and other worrisome things that could happen to him. Sheltie foster parents drove the streets of Bucyrus and Stilwell distributing posters door to door and attaching them to posts. Each sighting call required more posters in different areas. Over 1,000 went out. Without people caring enough to watch for him and call, we would not have him home safely. Kind folks met us, helping with information and suggestions. They monitored the traps at 3 different locations so if anything got in there that wasn't Levi it would be quickly released. After the big chase day. We knew we could never catch him that way. The folks who allowed us to set the trap on their property were all so kind and developed an attachment to Levi and were there to help get him to safety.
To All the kind folks that were a part of Levi's journey. He says, "THANKS" and so do we. THANK YOU!

Sheltie Tales!

2008-12-01T18:01:00.004-06:00

I am adding a new link to Winning Duncan Over. I've found another great Blog from a Rescue Group in Utah chronicling their activities with the Rescued Shelties! Check them out!

Levi Lost

2008-09-29T18:07:00.003-05:00

One of our Rescues has escaped from his new home's back yard.
Visit Levi Lost for the latest details!

About Shelties!

2008-09-26T21:44:00.003-05:00

Visit the Blue Ridge Shetland Sheepdog Club

Debbie, Go Potty!

2008-09-22T18:19:00.004-05:00

Debbie has developed a bad habit and I'm not sure why. When I first got her in June of 2007 she adjusted to house training very quickly. She had one accident after I got her home and that's been all. But lately, she's developed some sort of affinity to going potty outside. She gets let outside on a regular basis, but seems to insist on going potty just inside the back door.

I've been trying to work with her actively lately to help her, but I don't seem to be succeeding very well. I've taken to kenneling Debbie during the day while I'm at work so she won't go in the house while I'm gone. She likes her kennel and goes in enthusiastically, so it's not being used as punishment. I leave water in the kennel for her so she will need to potty when I get home and I take her outside immediately when I get home - no waiting. I have to go outside with her otherwise she just stands on the deck at the back door. She doesn't bark, she just stands there. So I go out with her, and when she does potty I treat her. I know she's starting to understand she gets a treat when she potties outside because she leaps back to me immediately now for her treat.

Debbie will still often refuse to potty outside when I get home from work though. I can't figure out why, and I'm getting hungry for dinner, so we go back inside and right back in the kennel so she doesn't have a chance to potty in the house. I hate this because she's been in the kennel all day long and I am not a pet owner who believes in constantly caging or leaving their pet in the backyard. But if I don't put her in the kennel and I take my eyes off her for 30 seconds she's immediately squatting by the backdoor.

Tonight when I got home I spent over 30 minutes outside with her. I encourage her to potty and probably sound very silly chirping, "Go potty Debbie!" to any of my neighbors who hear me over the fence. I know she had to go because her water dish was empty, and I would soon be proven right. After more than 30 minutes we headed back inside and to the kennel. But as I let the dogs back inside I realized I'd left my cell phone on a chair and went back to get it. When I opened the door again, there was Debbie squatting. I told her, No! Stop! And took her back outside. But of course she was already done by then.

Maybe I should go back to the tactic I used when I was trying to get Duncan to come inside the house when I first got him. Take Debbie outside, ask her to go potty. If she doesn't with in 5 minutes, we go back inside and into the kennel. Take her out again about 15 minutes later for another 5 minutes and so on. When she does go potty we go back in and she has the run of the house again.

Any ideas anyone? I'm starting to get a little frustrated, especially since she didn't have this problem for the past year and has seemed to relapse now.

"Sweet" Shelties

2008-07-16T22:26:00.000-05:00

Debbie on Sheltie Nation

2008-07-02T09:48:00.000-05:00

Debbie has made another appearance on Sheltie Nation!

Shetland Ponies

2008-06-07T09:30:00.008-05:00

Duncan and Debbie finally gave up the secret of what their costumes were for the costume contest at the LL Dog Rescue Annual Picnic. Shetland Sheep Dogs now become Shetland Ponies. Aren't they so adorable!?

This is a beautiful picture of Duncan too!

These little saddles are actually real leather saddles with real stitching and everything. They are salesman samples, and I found them on EBay for about $17.00 a piece!

Power Struggle

2008-04-27T18:31:00.002-05:00

Duncan and I just had a near break through. I wouldn’t say it was a full breakthrough, but it was definitely a very large step. But let me back up a ways...

If you remember, one of the things I have struggled with most with Duncan is grooming. He hates to be brushed and to have his feet messed with. He darts away and squirms and rather aggressively snaps at me and the brush. I have found many different, varying suggestions on how I should handle this. The “Dog Whisper’s” tactics dictate taking a dominant roll with dogs in training. I did not believe this would fare well with Duncan’s fear and trust issues. Other experts say that you should ignore fearful reactions and should not coddle a dog and comfort him because you are only reinforcing the undesired behavior by doing this. This did not seem right to me either. Duncan needs reassurance, he gains confidence by being reassured and encouraged. The suggestions that I received from the “Shy Dog” group that I am a member of encouraged me to take a more passive approach, to “treat and brush,” gradually building up to brushing him by treating after each stroke. This did not seem to work with Duncan either; he continued to jerk away and snap.

Please understand that I am not saying that any of these sources is not competent or does not know what they are talking about. Throughout my work with Duncan, I have tried to follow the suggestion given by The Monks of New Skeet in their book How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend. They suggest reading and researching information various different sources. Different people have many different opinions on how to approach dog training. They suggest study of these different methods, taking each with a grain of salt, and then take that and make your own decision on what you believe to be the right way to handle things for your situation.

With Duncan’s recent developments in actually enjoying physical contact, I have come to believe that he has developed a certain level of trust and affection for me finally. I believe that even though he may still “spook” occasionally now, he actually on some level knows that he can trust me not to hurt him now. He may indeed have some fear in him when he snaps at me when brushing him. But I believe I have a level of trust to my advantage that I did not have this time last year. I think that when he snaps at me, he is actually exerting some dominance and deciding that he does not want to be brushed. His snaps are to tell me, “I don’t like you doing that, and I’m going to make you stop.” So with that in mind, I believed I needed to have a “power struggle’ with him; to tell him that even though I love him, and I will not hurt him, I am the boss and I am going to brush him. I think I need to “gently force” him to face his fears about being brushed so that he can learn to accept it and so doing, learn that there really is nothing to fear. My approach is a combination of the various different suggestions that I have received. Here is how we started:

I put him on a leash and put his muzzle on him. He can still snap with his muzzle on, but cannot harm me. I took him to a corner in my living room and sat down with him. Some may question my cornering him, but without doing that, he will simply dance and dart way, escaping the brush. This is not facing his fear. I certainly would not recommend this for all dogs . Many dogs will surely panic if cornered, making the situation worse. But Duncan does not seem to panic when I sit down with him in a corner at all. I began brushing him around the neck and ears gently. He does not care for this, but will usually accept it without much issue. When I started moving down his neck and shoulders is when he started to jump a little and snap. I did not hold him down or yell at him at all. I firmly and quietly told him “No” and looked at him sternly. I never raised my voice, and I talked to him quietly and encouragingly, telling him, “You’re ok.” “Mommy’s not going to hurt you.” “Good boy ”

I continued brushing him getting the same response periodically. Each time I would quietly but firmly tell him “No,” and continue brushing. He was a little (but not severely) stressed about the situation, but I never once saw any fear or panic in his eyes. His attitude was more one of defiance, confirming my thoughts of a dominance struggle. We continued on for a few minutes stopping occasionally for some petting and kisses on his head, which he seemed to appreciate even though I was doing something he didn’t like. His snaps decreased over the next few minutes as I continued to brush his back and sides.

We ended on a positive note when he had not snapped at me at all for a few minutes. I set the brush aside and took off his muzzle and switched to simply sitting there with him for a few minutes stroking his head. He even let me lean over and kiss and snuggle his face over and over again. (He will sometimes jerk away if I lean over to kiss him, but did not do this once during our session here.) His demeanor was not fearful or resentful in the slightest this whole time. I gave him several of his favorite treats over the next few moments as I continued kissing and petting him and he seemed completely at ease. That is how we ended the session.

It seemed to go just as well as I expected it to; and even better with him accepting and enjoying my physical affections as a reward afterwards. I plan to continue this several times a week in exactly the same way and hope that I’ll see some improvement in his reaction to being brushed. I’ll keep you posted

The Olive Branch Inn

2008-04-21T18:27:00.000-05:00

This weekend I had one of my training retreats for church. The last time I went, I found out that the hotel we stay at his pet friendly It’s only about a 30 minute drive away, and just over the weekend so I thought I might try taking Duncan with me. Little Debbie stayed with her Foster-Mom Barbara (and missed her Mommy very much I’m told,) and Duncan and I took off. We arrived at the hotel and I checked in and took Duncan to the room first so that I could bring my bags in without having to worry about dropping his leash or anything. He was of course a little nervous being in a new strange place at first and immediately jumped up next to my roommate Brenda (who had agreed to staying with Duncan and I before hand) on her bed. We got settled in, and then Brenda and I had to go to our first meeting. I had brought Duncan’s kennel, but felt that for the most part I’d be able to leave him loose in the hotel room. When we got back later that night Duncan was fine, as I had expected, and I took him out for a nice evening walk around The Temple with Greg, another friend of mine attending the retreat.
That night I did not sleep well at all, though it was through no fault of Duncan’s. As it turned out, it seemed that my bed seemed to have a few broken springs. When I laid down it was immediately apparent because of the slant. I felt like I was sliding out of bed Duncan didn’t seem to be very comfortable either. We’re both used to a fairly firm mattress, and this was decidedly soft I woke numerous times throughout the night, and at one point found myself and Duncan both scrunched up on the far side of the bed where the springs seemed to be the strongest. But it still felt like I was going to roll off the bed, so I rolled on to my back. I found Duncan laying next to me down by my knees and when I reached down to pet him, he lifted his head and actually laid it down on my stomach. I petted him for a few moments and then let my hand rest on his head, resting on my belly. It seemed so precious; Duncan was actually semi-snuggling with me He had never done that before

The next morning- Saturday (not very rested) I left Duncan in his kennel while we went to breakfast so that there would be no issues when housekeeping came in. We came back to the hotel several times during the day for meals and in between seminar sessions and I took Duncan out to potty each time, leaving him free in the room when we left. He actually probably saw me more while we were there for the weekend than he does when I go to work during the week That evening I took him with me down to the common room in the basement where we ate our meals and let him say “hi” to my fellow retreatants. Everyone loved hearing his story and seeing how far he had come since I had adopted him, and it was great socialization for Duncan. We went for another evening walk again that night and then went to bed.

We slept a little better that night (across the bottom of the bed instead this time, although I was tempted to just sleep on the floor,) and I kenneled Duncan again the next morning as I loaded my bags in the car and we attended our last sessions. Duncan said goodbye to everyone as they left for the airport. We jumped in the car and took Greg to the airport ourselves, and then headed over to Barbara’s to pick up Little Debbie (who was exceedingly happy to see me. It seems she thought that I had just left her there forever and was very sad for awhile.)

So Duncan handled yet another new adventure with me like a little angel He continues to surprise and please me with how well he handles new things every day

"Pet me Mom!"

2008-04-17T18:06:00.000-05:00

This is really big everyone... If you remember at the very beginning, Duncan did not seem to like being touched or petted at all. It was one of the things that was hardest on me emotionally during our first weeks together. When I would pet him, he would turn away from me. He seemed to completely dislike being touched and found no enjoyment in it at all. But over the last few months, Duncan has come to actually enjoy being touched He may not be comfortable with being touched all over his body yet, but at one point recently I noticed all of a sudden that he seemed to actually enjoy being petted. He would relax and let me stroke his tiny little sheltie head. (I love the shape of a Sheltie’s head. The lovely structure of the skull, combined with the soft fur and expressive eyes is just elegantly beautiful to me.) He seemed to prefer that I stick mostly to his head at that point, and I complied. But soon I found that he enjoyed other things like being rubbed and scratched gently on his little “cheeks,” which for a Sheltie is almost beneath his ears. One day Duncan actually “asked” me to pet him When he has to go out to potty, he paces between me and the back door stopping to gaze at me intently, “telling” me he has to go out. But this time he was not pacing. He simply walked up to me while I was watching TV one evening and gave me that intent gaze. He stayed there for a moment or two, just looking at me expectantly-requestingly. I knew he didn’t want to go outside, so I reached out my hand to him. To my joy, instead of jumping away or ducking in panic, he simply dipped his head slightly and stood there for a few moments while I petted him. When I stopped he went over and laid down by the sofa. This happened more and more often. Sometimes when I would stop (after he had relaxed completely into my caresses) is little head would raise and follow my hand as if to say, “Hey, don’t stop Please?” I tried other things as well and he seemed to love them all: just scratching the top of his little head, or brushing my entire hand forwards on his head and face, more like rubbing it instead of just petting it. It’s been almost a year and a half since I adopted Duncan, and I’d come to accept that he mostly likely would never truly enjoy being touched. And now he is initiating and requesting that physical contact nearly every single day He has grown so much

Duncan's Calling Card!

2008-04-07T00:20:00.000-05:00

I have created a business card for Duncan so that I can easily share his website with people I meet and I am proud to be able to present it here! If you have made it to the site because of one of Duncan's cards: Welcome! Once you have bookmarked the site, please share the card with another friend to spread the news! Then come back and visit us often for updates!

Duncan's Missing Teeth

2008-04-06T12:36:00.009-05:00

I was able to get some pictures this morning of Duncan's mouth. They aren't as good of pictures as the ones in my last post, but they will give you an idea of how many teeth are no longer there.

I was also able to get a couple shots of his "bald spot" where his growth was removed. The Vet Tech did an excellent job of shaving him so that his fur would fall over the spot. When his fur is laying flat you don't notice the spot unless you're looking for it. So hopefully he won't get any sunburns while his fur is growing back in!

Toothless Sheltie

2008-04-05T23:04:00.007-05:00

Duncan went to the Vet a few weeks ago for a teeth cleaning. I've known he's needed it and got him scheduled for what was sure to be an ordeal for him. Boy was I right! Another effect of a lifetime of poor care for puppy mill dogs...

In addition to having his teeth cleaned, Duncan also needed to have a small growth removed from his right side, so we did that at the same time. He ended up with a small shaved patch on his side, and four or so stitches. I also had a Vet Tech brush out his undercoat and clip his toenails while he was under anesthesia - something I'm sure he appreciated, even if he didn't realize it.

But worst of all was his teeth. This picture is NOT of Duncan's teeth, but his were pretty close to being this bad! Visit Sheltie Nation for a post on Sheltie dental health.

Duncan's teeth were so bad in fact from never having had any dental care from his puppy mill owners that my Vet had no choice but to extract eighteen teeth! That's right, 18! My Vet said that some of his teeth were so bad that he could insert a probe under the tooth from the outside of his mouth and come out on the inside. My poor Duncan!! He was able to keep SOME teeth including 3 of his canines, so his little tongue does not hang out like many dogs who loose teeth. This picture is not of Duncan's teeth either, but the teeth he does have remaining are clean and pretty like these now!
Many of the back teeth you see in this picture are now missing in Duncan's mouth. I wanted to get a picture of Duncan's teeth (or lack thereof) to post here, but he didn't want me pulling on his lip to get the pic. In retrospect I wish I had asked the Vet to take before and after pictures for me, but I didn't expect him to loose so many teeth!

Duncan received a nice pain injection before we left the Vet to help him get through the next several hours. My Vet said that Dunc would probably not eat for the next day or so, but that if he wasn't eating again by Monday (this was a Friday) to give him a call. He also gave me antibiotics and pain pills for him. To my surprise later that evening I offered Duncan a small amount of soft canned food and he ate immediately. Maybe his mouth was blessedly still numb from the pain injection, or maybe the fact that he'd not eaten since the night before in preparation for the anesthesia caused his hunger to overcome his pain. In any case, I was surprised that he ate so quickly. A little later I could tell that the injection was starting to wear off so I gave him his first pain pill - which he ate without issue. Thankfully he takes his heart worm and any other pills willingly. It would be a serious strain on his progress if I had to force a pill down his throat every month!

We had no bleeding issues, no eating issues, no stitches issues (he didn't mess with the stitches from where his growth was removed once!) About a week and a half later I noticed that he was eating some of Little Debbie's hard food, so I started mixing his soft food with some hard food. I gradually switched to only hard food which I sprayed down with a little water to soften it a little for him. Now, 4 weeks later he is back to eating hard food again - something I thought may never happen considering the number of teeth he lost! As usual, Duncan has impressed me with how amazingly well he overcame this ordeal. It could have been much worse. (Although I think he's developed the normal fear of the Vet's office. I promised him that if he stayed healthy, we wouldn't have to go back for 12 months!)

Happy Shamrock Day!

2008-03-17T16:00:00.004-05:00

Duncan wishes you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!
"Ok Mom. Take the picture and get this little hat off my head!
(I'd better get a lot of cookies for putting up with this!)"

Duncan's URL

2008-03-01T09:39:00.002-06:00

Dot Com!

We have a new address!

http://winningduncanover.com

Don't worry, you can still get here with the old address too.

Birthday Boy!

2008-02-02T08:52:00.002-06:00

Hi all! I apologize for not having written in so long! I'm going to backdate a few posts here.

February 2nd was Duncan's 1 Year Adoption Anniversary, and therefore default Birthday! It's hard to believe that it's been a full year since I met that terrified little Sheltie trembling severely and cowering in the back of his kennel. He has come so far, and grown so much! He's now a happy and confident dog (for a Sheltie.) How old is he you ask? Duncan is now 10 years old!

The day of his Birthday happened to fall on a Saturday. And even better, it was an Adopt-a-Pet day at Petco. So I put his little birthday hat on him (he's such a good sport) and we celebrated with the rescue group. Happy Birthday Duncan!!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-13T18:54:00.004-06:00

Duncan and Debbie and Gracie wish you all a Happy New Year!

Charlotte's Anniversary

2008-01-02T18:09:00.000-06:00

January 2nd is my sweet Charlotte's one year anniversary. I can't believe it has been a whole year since I had to let him go. I miss you lots and lots every day Baby Fuzz! I have no idea how I am managing to do it with out you. It's taken Duncan and Debbie and Gracie to fill the space in my heart for you! I miss you so much my Sweet Boy!

Holiday Debbie

2007-12-30T18:50:00.000-06:00

Debbie has another place on
Sheltie Nation again!

Duncan's Trust

2007-12-11T16:57:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I still wonder whatever happened to my poor Duncan. The trust he has for me is still limited after almost a year. He almost always looks at me suspiciously when I reach out to pet him. Always ducks his head and closes his eyes as if I'm about to strike him. But, once I'm petting him, he seems to love it. But if I lean forward or bend over to get closer or snuggle or kiss him, he panics and often jumps up quickly to move to the other end of the bed.

Last night was a good night though. We had an ice storm blowing around outside and the kids and I were all cozied up in bed. Duncan laid next to me (almost arms length away.) I petted him for awhile and he had laid his head down on the mattress and closed his eyes. He looked pretty content. He was partially covered by the comforter from when I had pulled it up over me and his head was butted up to the pillow next to mine. I stroked and stroked and stroked his head, and he seemed very comfortable - so comfortable in fact that he let out a great big sigh and rolled from laying on his belly with his head on is paws onto his side, stretching out next to me. I continued to pet his beautiful little head and said good night to him.

Snow Bunnies...er Shelties

2007-12-07T09:23:00.000-06:00

Our first snow accumulation of the year occurred yesterday. Just a few inches-not enough for a Sheltie to go "snow burrowing." As far as I know this is Debbie's first snow that she's actually able to enjoy, though I could be wrong. It's certainly the first since she was rescued from the puppy mill. She didn't seem either particularly excited or daunted by it. Just another day it seemed and she ran and played in the yard with Duncan as usual.

Duncan, if you remember, showed me his first signs of joy last year when we encountered his first snow together. (Probably not his first ever, but his first with me.) When I took him out on that cold morning he stepped off the deck and was immediately hip deep in the stuff, and his first order of business was to burry his entire head in a snow dive. He came up with white all over his furry little face and looked at me with that 'Sheltie smile' of his. There's not enough snow to do that yet this year.

This morning when I took them out, Debbie seemed to be concerned about her cold tootsies and just sat down on the snow covered deck. But Debbie doesn't sit like most dogs. She was living on wires when she was in the puppy mill instead of a solid floor - a cruel way to make life easier for the keepers in cleaning up after the dogs. Very hard and painful on a poor Sheltie's feet. As a result, she doesn't sit on her hind legs, but clear back on her rear with her hind legs out in front of her. It's a little funny looking until you consider the reason she does this. But this morning, not only did she sit on her rear, she also lifted her hind feet up off the cold snow so that she was balanced just on her back side and her front two feet. She's such a silly little girl!

I'll have pictures soon. It was too dark to take any good ones when I got home last night.

Play with me Duncan!

2007-11-27T14:09:00.000-06:00

Poor Duncan. I think Debbie is becoming a bit too enthusiastic about playing for his taste. She bounces around him and ON him so much in the yard sometimes that I think he's had enough. But she keeps chasing after him and leaping at him and around him and on him and over him... He hasn't lost his patience with her yet... But boy she sure is learning to love to play!

Happy Duncan

2007-11-20T13:04:00.000-06:00

Duncan is on Sheltie Nation again showing off his "Sheltie Smile!" This pic was on our trip to Michigan last year. Shortly after this pic was taken I had laid down in the grass with Duncan to enjoy the sunshine. After a couple minutes I noticed that Duncan was rolling around happily in the soft turf on his back, all four legs in the air. He really enjoyed himself on this trip and turned out to be a great traveler!

On another note, Debbie has started to play with Duncan! Duncan has always like to play with other Shelties. But when Debbie first came home, she wasn't much interested in playing with him. So he kindly let her be. Debbie progressed quickly to enjoying playing with me, but I had begun to think she would never really want to play with Duncan. But the other night I was sitting on the deck while the dogs were out, and Debbie all of a sudden launched herself off the deck and raced up the hill towards Duncan. They bounced at each other and played tag and wrestled around for about 10 minutes. I was laughing really hard to myself, but tried to stay quiet so I wouldn't distract the kids from each other. Debbie has initiated playing with him a couple other times since then too. I'm so happy for them!

Featured Adoptable - Rosa(And Faith Too!)

2007-11-07T10:51:00.000-06:00

Meet Rosa! She is a four year old Sheltie also rescued from a puppy mill. She is an incredibly sweet girl, just like my Debbie! Rosa is also very timid, but I can already see a great improvment in her confidence. The first week that I saw her at Petco she was nearly paralysed with apprehension. She did not look around at all, but sat in her kennel looking right in front of her. She seemed to be hiding and withdrawing into her own little world. The one around her was too much for her to deal with. However, she had come out of her little shell a great deal since then. This Saturday she was altert with a great positive attidude. She seems to have bonded with Glen her foster dad nicely and likes him very much. She will make whoever adopts her the focus of her life and will be a very adoring and devoted little Sheltie - again, just like my Debbie!

Also, don't forget about Faith! This sweet sweet Collie still needs a home too. She's an older dog, but is so full of love that she deserves to have a great home and family for the rest of her days.

Won't you consider adopting one of these special deserving animals?

Sit Pretty!

2007-11-05T15:34:00.000-06:00

Here is Debbie at obedience class on Saturday "sitting pretty." Isn't she so cute!? I've been splitting the time in class half way between Duncan and Debbie. We take our kennel and Debbie will wait in it for the first half while Duncan strutts his stuff, and then it's Debbie's turn.

Ok, so "Sit Pretty" wasn't part of the class, but she was having trouble with "Down" and wanted to show off what she did know!

Thanks to Barbra for catching this shot of Debbie and I!

Pals

2007-10-30T10:43:00.001-05:00

I know this site is for Shelties. But my Shelties have a pet cat. (A more accurate statement would probably be that my cat has two pet Shelties.) So here are a couple pics of my Gracie Girl. Gracie and the Shelties get along nicely, although she can be a little snotty indignant thing at times. That's a cat for you though. They've never been great pals or anything, but they get along just fine. We've never had any issues. Recently, I have noticed that Gracie has started "head butting" Debbie. Any cat people will understand that term. For those who are not cat people, Gracie will walk by Debbie, sniff her, and then lower he head, and push her forhead up against Debbie, rubbing against her. The cat "head butt" is ususally a sign of affection, and when I saw Gracie do it to Debbie (several times now) it was so cute! Debbie of course is not quite sure what this is all about and doesn't understand that Gracie is saying "Hello! I like you!" Too funny.

Happy Howl o'ween!

2007-10-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

Here are Duncan and Debbie in thier oh-so adorable costumes. They're such good sports!

Debbie My Protector

2007-10-18T12:46:00.000-05:00

Debbie is really coming along very nicely and blossoming beautifully! She bounds up the hill in front of me when I take her outside to potty, leaping at me in excitement, happy that I've come home at the end of the day. She gets pretty high sometimes! Her muscles have strengthened wonderfully. When she first came home, she could not even jump up into the car by herself, her back legs were so weak. She was soon able to at least do that and get in the car, although she often didn't raise her back legs enough and bumped them on the door jam. Such is the result of living in a kennel most of your life and not getting much exercise. Sad. My bed is set fairly high as well. I have a small stool by the bed that had been for my dear old departed Charlotte, who in his old age needed a little boost to make it up to the bed. I had not had the heart to remove the stool since he passed. As it turns out Debbie has been in need of it too. At first she could not even jump up on the bed even with the added lift of the stool. She would stand on her hind legs, trying to pull herself up onto the bed with me. I would let her try for a few minutes, knowing that the struggle itself, though futile, would strengthen her muscles enough to be able to make the accomplishment eventually. Then I would reach down and pull her onto the bed with me. Soon she progressed enough to be able use the stool as a sort of spring board to give her a boost up to the bed. And then, the other day I saw her run into the room and jump straight from the floor to the bed. Oh celebration! She still uses the stool quite a bit, and I'm considering removing it to force her to use her muscles more to acquire the bed.

The other night Debbie did something very unexpected. I took her out to potty before going to sleep and I sat down in one of the chairs on my deck to wait for her. She soon came over and laid down next to my seat. All of a sudden I heard this low rumble and recognized it as growling. My first reaction was to look towards the fortunately locked gate to the front yard. I was afraid that the local free-running pit bull mix that had attacked Duncan and I was standing at the other side of the fence. But then I looked down and realized that it was my tiny Little Debbie that was doing the growling! She continued her low tone as I reached down to pat and comfort her, her gaze fixed to the side of the yard. I saw nothing there. I have no idea what she was growling at initially, and it was making me a little nervous. She new something that I didn't. But then my neighbor came to her back door and let her own dog out into their back yard. Debbie let out a low bark, something she has never done in my presence; she normally only barks a higher pitched bark when I arrive home until I open the front door. Then she began her growl anew. I patted her again, and we went inside. We sat on the bed together and as I stroked her little head I asked her, "Were you protecting Momma, Little Debbie?" She smiled and wagged her tail in response.

Ta-da!

2007-10-08T15:37:00.000-05:00

Surprise! How do you like Duncan's new Site? I decided that I have largely "won Duncan over" now and that the old black lay out with just the picture of him looking sad and uncertain was no longer representative. I wanted to show a sort of before-and-after concept of him (and Debbie) and how they have, and are blossoming into happy dogs. Thanks so much to Pattie at In His Image for creating the graphics and layout for me. I just love the work that she does! Be sure to check out the "E-mail Duncan" graphic in the left nav, and the "Baggage" graphic at the bottom of the page. I think those are my favorite parts as Pattie incorporated Duncan and Debbie's pictures into the graphics. They're so cute! Enjoy!

New Featured Adoptable - Faith

2007-10-02T16:47:00.000-05:00

Ok, so she's not a Sheltie, she's a Collie. But the folks at LL Dog Rescue have done a wonderful job with her. I met Faith at the last Adopt-A-Pet days and let me tell you, she is wonderful! Faith was found by a creek, grossly infested with maggots and ticks, that were eating her alive. She was rushed to the vet where she was treated for heat stroke and flushed of the maggots and treated for ticks. The heat stroke caused her to loose the use of her front legs for a couple of days. She was treated and is recovering and undergoing physical therapy. You can read her full story Here as well as see videos of her during her therapy.

Faith does not know a stranger. When I met her at Petco she was the sweetest thing. She has to walk around and say 'Hi' to everyone, but she's very quiet and calm. She will come up to you for a pat or a hug, whatever you're willing to give. Faith had to be shaved in order to be treated for all her medical problems, but her coat is starting to grow in nicely, and before long she will be a beautiful Collie again!

Won't someone open thier hearts and home to this wonderful, deserving dog in need? If you're interedsted in Faith check her out further at Petfinder.com or email LLDogrescue at lldogrescue@yahoo.com.

Pretty Duncan!

2007-09-10T10:52:00.000-05:00

Duncan has been coming along very nicely lately with letting me brush him! If you remember, he had a scaring experience with being groomed after he was surrendered from the puppy mill. When he was surrendered his coat - especially his collar area was caked with urine, feces and mats. Most rescues are groomed when they are anaesthetized for their teeth cleaning. But for Duncan there just happened to be no time for this. So his initial grooming was done while he was awake. I’m sure the person that did his grooming was as gentle as possible, however with as bad as his coat was the situation could probably be nothing but traumatizing.

As a result, Duncan definitely does not like to be brushed. Even the slightest snag scares him and he snaps at the brush. I had to use a muzzle with him when I first got him to keep myself safe, but this wasn’t helping with making brushing a positive experience that he would actually look forward too. We’ve moved very slowly, brushing a few strokes and giving him a treat. And whenever he seems like he’s had too much and is about to snap at me, we pause for a minute and give him a treat, praising him quietly. The last couple of times that I have brushed him he has been a near angel! You can still see by his body language that he’s a little nervous and still not sure about this brushing thing, but he has started to relax a little and his snaps are becoming much less frequent. He even seems to enjoy being brushed at moments. Yes Duncan! This can actually feel good! He lets me lift his chin and brush his neck and chest fairly well. He let’s me brush behind his head and the front half of his back without much problem at all. He does not like to have the feathering on the back of his front legs brushed at all though and seems to be very sensitive there. He doesn’t snap, but he will pull his legs under him to keep me from brushing them. When I move to his rear and his tail he gets a little nervous and we go very slowly, with lots of treats! This last time though, I was able to get his “skirt” and his tail detangled nicely! I have a detangler spray that helps a great deal, however my spraying it on him makes him nervous, so I have to be very quiet and slow about that too. I’m still not able to lift his tail and brush under it or around his little bottom very much, but we are progressing very well! In addition, I also got a new slicker brush that he does not seem to mind much at all. It doesn’t get any mats or any of his undercoat out, but it definitely makes him look beautiful!

Duncan has also started his obedience classes! We joined and the end of a 6 week session so we’ve been behind, but he’s handled being in the class with lots of other people and their dogs very well and responds beautifully when I am taught how to teach him correctly! Another session will be staring on the 6th of October and we’ll be going to that to start at the beginning. I expect him to do very well, and that the two of us spending the time together will build his confidence, both in himself and in me! I can’t wait!

Debbie Dog

2007-09-08T11:22:00.000-05:00

Debbie has been making some great strides lately. When I got back from Michigan I took the dogs over to see my parents. Since it had been quite a while since they had seen them, they could see the noticeable differences that you don’t notice when you see them every day as I do. My Dad seemed to remind Debbie of some person who had previously been frightening to her, because she had previously been terrified of him. She would panic whenever he came close or walked by, even when she was in my arms. She simply had to get away from him. But her trips to Petco and the park where she has positive encounters with new people regularly have reinforced that not all people are mean. She didn’t panic when he walked by or came close on this visit, and even reluctantly let both my Mom and Dad pet her - as long as I was close by that is.

Debbie has also learned to “sit” and is working on “down” too! She just adores laying on my lap and snuggling when I am watching TV, and continues to love “playing”’ with me in the back yard, crouching and darting away for me to chase her, and herding me down the hill when it’s time to come back inside.

She also displays excitement that I’ve come home at the end of my work day too. When I open the door she is sitting right there looking to see who it is. When she realizes it is me, her tail starts wagging immediately, and she begins darting around the house excitedly, trying to entice me to play with her I was telling Barbra the other day when we were at the Adopt-a-Pet days at Petco that I had not heard Debbie bark yet though. Duncan did not bark at me for a couple months after I brought him home either. But when I got home the next day and heard Duncan doing his normal barking when I pull in the driveway, I hear a couple of unfamiliar higher pitched barks mixed in with his. I immediately knew that Little Debbie had found her voice as well! Duncan always stops barking as soon as I open the door and so did Debbie, but I encouraged her saying “I heard you barking” in a playful, positive tone. Shelties are natural barkers, but mill dogs very quickly learn that barking does not get them attention or anything else they may want, and actually will often bring unwanted effects. So it is a joy when they learn that it is ok to bark sometimes!

On another note, Debbie has unfortunately been sliding backwards a little bit with the house training though. When I first got her she was doing very well. I think she only had one accident when I had been gone for a long day. But recently, between being sick and with me traveling she has started having more accidents. I’ve worked to get her more frequent outings, but this doesn’t seem to be helping much. For awhile she was pottying in a couple spots on the living room carpet. I even looked up from watching TV one day to catch her squatting. I immediately say “No!” firmly, and then gently took her outside. I borrowed a friend’s steam vac and got the living room carpet cleaned up (it needed a good shampooing anyway,) and doing so seems to have curbed her from pottying in there. But she will still often potty by the back door (and unfortunately I have carpet in the kitchen as well!) She doesn’t even only do this when it’s been a long time since she’s been out. The other day she and Duncan were out in the back yard together for a few hours as it was a beautiful day to be outside. When I let them back in the house I stepped out onto the patio to pick some things up. When I stepped back inside there was a fresh wet spot right inside the door. She’d had plenty of time to go while she’d been outside!

Debbie likes to have you walk out into the back yard with her before she will go, and I’ve been trying to be vigilant about doing this with her too. But she will often not go at all. When she does, I make sure to make a big fuss about it, telling her “Good potty Debbie!” and then playing with her. Debbie also like to immediately start playing when I walk out into the back yard with her. She’ll do her crouch-and-dart, trying to entice me into chasing her. I’ve tried telling her to go potty and refrain from playing with her until she does, but this does not seem to be helping much either. Sometimes she will play with me for a few minutes and will then stop suddenly to go, but she does not seem to be consistent with this either.

Duncan can tell me when he needs to go out in his own way. He does a little pacing between me and the back door and gives me an intent stare and I know he needs to go out. But with Debbie, she is regularly coming to me for attention. So if she is coming to me and trying to tell me she has to go out, I can’t tell the difference. I heard once that hanging some bells from the door-knob and ringing them each time you take the dogs outside to go potty can train them to ring the bells with their nose when they need to go outside. I told my parents about this a few years ago and they did this with their dogs and it worked nicely. I plan to see if I can find some bells and try this out with both Debbie and Duncan. They’re both very smart dogs and I think it could work with them.

My house is starting to smell now, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to start kenneling Debbie again when I leave the house, which I really do not want to have to do. I’m going to have to do some research to see if I can tell what might be going through that little doggie mind of hers. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome as well!

Attack!

2007-09-06T10:49:00.000-05:00

First off just to save your concern, Duncan and I were amazingly both left completely safe and unharmed after the following events had taken place. I think it is a miracle, but we are...

I started running every other day after I got home from Michigan. I took Debbie with me on my first run and immediately determined she would not be a suitable running partner. We started out slow, but it was apparent that running is not something that she really enjoys. That’s ok though. Since I had taken her by herself for our run, later that evening I took Duncan for a walk around our neighborhood - just the two of us. It was a beautiful evening and we were almost home - just around the corner when I noticed someone’s trash, out for trash pickup the next morning, had been rummaged through by a dog or dogs. “Great,” I thought, “we’ve got a loose dog running around the neighborhood.” I’ve lived here for almost two years now and have never seen any dogs running loose.

We got to the corner where we would turn back on to our own street, about 4 or 5 doors down from home when I saw a dog cross the street from my side to the far side and disappear into the shadows between houses. Duncan and I stopped and waited under the street light on the corner there. I couldn’t see what kind of dog it was from the distance, and you never know... So we waited for a few minutes. After a few minutes when I hadn’t seen anything we went ahead and continued home.

We were about two doors from home when the dog came rushing out of the shadows across the street towards us, growling and snarling. I could hear the “ting, tang” of tags on the collar on his neck as he approached at high speed, his nails clicking on the pavement. It was a Pit-bull, and he was heading straight for my Duncan! Duncan swung away, around me at the end of his leash and I began yelling, “No!” and “Get!” at the top of my lungs; over and over and over. He was so close that I could see that he had a silver pinch collar on. This wasn’t just a stray dog; he was someone’s pet that must have gotten loose. The dog collided with Duncan. I expected to hear a painful yelp, yipe, or cry at any second. But it never came. I tried pulling Duncan away by the leash knowing full well that it wouldn’t do any good if this dog got hold of him but that my stepping in and reaching for either of them would just get me bitten or mauled. The dog lunged for Duncan two or three times growling and snarling the whole time, a I continued to yell “No!” and “Get!” over and over and over. There wasn’t anything else I could do. I knew that if we turned and ran he would pursue, so I stood my ground and battled him with nothing but my voice. He lunged at me once, and I completely expected to feel his teeth sink into my arm. But somehow that didn’t come either. After what seemed like several minutes, but was probably really only several second to one minute, the dog seemed to reluctantly give up and began to back away. I started to turn to lead Duncan back to the house, but I could see that if I turned my back on the dog he would continue his attack. So I held my ground and kept yelling “Get!” at him as he continued to bark and snarl at me, and I began to feel the fear my adrenaline had suppressed so far. The dog began to walk away, but kept looking back at me, growling threateningly, fiercely. I think that threat frightened me more than anything else had so far: that he would turn and resume his attack rather than continue walking away. But he didn’t. I began to back down the street towards home, keeping my face towards the animal. He continued up the street and soon was under the very street light Duncan and I had been standing under when we had initially spotted him crossing the street. He turned the corner and continued up the street in the direction from which we had just come, back towards the strewn trash...

As I turned to get Duncan into the house the rest of the world around me returned, as I realized it had even been gone. I had been so focused on the Pit-bull that I hadn’t noticed that my neighbor had come out and was standing on her front porch, staring at me in bewilderment. I got Duncan inside and went over to talk to her. We call the police who said that Animal Control’s budget had been cut, and they wouldn’t actually come out unless someone had actually been attacked. I certainly felt attacked! But I guess their definition of attacked meant someone actually had to be bitten. This really frightened and frustrated me because there is an elementary school in my neighborhood and school had just started that week. Children would be walking to school the next morning! A police officer did come out however and drove around the neighborhood with his spotlight seeing if he could spot the animal, but they did not find him.

Once I began to calm down a bit I checked Duncan’s body all over. Not a single scratch or bite, but there was slobber all over the fur on his back! I was surprised that he was not trembling in the slightest. But perhaps he had just calmed down himself by then. And then I noticed that there was also slobber all over my elbow and forearm too! I just don’t know how it is that neither of us got bitten!

So now resentfully, I no longer walk my dogs in our own neighborhood. I have no idea if this dog is still loose, or if he could get loose again. Even more resentfully, I look up and down the street before I even step out of my front door to make sure there are no stray dogs about - especially when I am taking the dogs to the car.

For any of you who do not live in the Kansas City area, a spotlight has been on the Pit-bull and those who own them in this area recently, as there have been several attacks by Pit bulls over the past year or so - some of them fatal. Many local municipalities have passed a ban on the breed, and there is much controversy over this. There is argument over whether the breed itself is just too dangerous, or if the owners of the animals that have attacked have just been irresponsible in their pet’s upbringing and socialization, and securing their pet from running loose. I have never, and am still not, one who has felt that a ban on a specific breed is going to definitively protect people from an attack. I feel very strongly that if you own a dog of a breed that has tenancies for aggression that you need to be vigilant in your training and socialization (to people, situations and other animals) of your dog. And you also need to be responsible for securing your dog from getting loose, increasing the possibility of your dog hurting someone or even itself.

Homecomming

2007-09-04T10:22:00.000-05:00

Hello again all! I’m sorry; I’ve been so busy lately I’ve not had time to post. So I’m going to try to back date some entries here.

About a week after I got home from Boston I had to leave for Michigan for the weekend for my Grandmother’s memorial service. I ended up being gone for 4 days. Debbie had gotten the “Snot Nose Syndrome” while she’d been staying at Barbra’s while I was in Boston, so I decided to keep both her and Duncan home while I was in Michigan so they would not pass the upper respiratory infection on to any other dogs. I had a couple different friends of mine stop in several times a day to see them while I was gone to visit and let them outside. I was a little worried about leaving Debbie because she’d been getting sick a bit, but as it turns out I think she was only getting sick from the antibiotics she was on. I think they were just upsetting her stomach because as soon as I stopped giving them to her she stopped getting sick. Poor baby.

From what I understand the kids did very well while I was gone with near strangers coming to take care of them. No “dashing” occurred, and they did fairly well going in and out of the house for their care takers. There were fortunately no instances of them refusing to come back into the house for hours on end as Duncan had when I first got him. I was a little worried that might happen. Although Debbie did have a few accidents, everything went decidedly well.

When I got back, Debbie displayed definite excitement to see me. She dashed around the house crouching and darting away, tail wagging enthusiastically. She sat down and let me pet and snuggle her, pawing me as if she just couldn’t soak up the love fast enough. It felt very good to know that she had missed me so much. I could tell from Duncan’s body language and the look in his eyes that he had missed me as well; but as always he was not outwardly demonstrative of his emotions. Gracie of course was all over me like the crazy tiger kitty that she is, rubbing against me and administering the little love bites she always gives.

The day after I got back I spent some quality time with the dogs. I took them down to the “Three Dog Bakery” on the Plaza here in Kansas City. It’s a cute little boutique type bakery for dogs where they make canine friendly “pastries” and treats. They make a kindly fuss over the dogs, showering them with attention and treat samples. Both the dogs were typically shy, but handled the socialization exercise very well. And they of course ended up with a few tasty pastries to take home. Spoilt puppies. We also went down to English Landing Park in Parkville for a walk. It was the first time I had been down there since Debbie came home to Duncan and me. She stuck close to me as usual while Duncan enjoyed the “smell-fest,” exploring every tuff of grass along the walking path.

I never travel as much as I have had to this summer, and I am hopeful that all this travel is done for the time being! I have no trips in the foreseeable future. It’s good to be home!

Happy and Sad

2007-08-28T16:37:00.000-05:00

Well when I picked Duncan and Debbie up they were both happy to see me. Though Duncan is more reserved in his display of affection, I could definitely see the recognition in his eyes and that he was glad to see me. When I asked him if he wanted to go to the park his ears perked up high immediately.

Debbie on the other hand came rushing for me when she realized who I was. It was so cute to see her running towards me. She seemed very happy to see me and pawed at me and stayed very close.

Gracie of course is happy to be back home with me too, although she likes her grandma and grandpa a great deal, and had allot of fun playing with Hannah. She would provoke Hannah and get her to chase her around the house.

So we're all happy to be together again. Unfortunately, poor Little Debbie has got the full blown Snot Nose. Although her nose isn't really snotty, she has been coughing and vomiting the last two nights. Last night was not as bad, and I hope tonight will be even better. She definitely does not feel herself though. Poor little girl.

On another note, Duncan's Obedience Class has been scheduled! We start on Saturday Sept 8th (cross you're fingers that he's not sick by then too!) I'm very excited to get him working on some of his obedience, and I'm excited to see what it does for his confidence and our relationship!

More Travel

2007-08-25T13:02:00.000-05:00

I have been out of town on business for two weeks. I got in last night at about 10:00 pm. Duncan and Debbie have been staying with their foster parents while I was gone and I go to pick them this afternoon. I can't wait. I have missed them so much!

It sounds like they both did pretty well. Duncan continued to come in the house from the back yard for Glenn very well. He played with Merlin, our recent "Featured Adoptable" and generally just hung out. He didn't get as much attention as he would have if he were home, but he seemed ok with that.

Debbie had a little more excitement. She love to run and play in the back yard after going potty, and one day was being pretty frisky, and lit right into the small garden pond that Barbra has. Barbra said that Debbie got out and looked at her like "What did you do that for?" as if Barbra had thrown her in. I don't know if she's ever seen any form of a body of water, and I don't think she realized you couldn't walk on it. Too funny.

Debbie's also been exposed to what has been deemed "Snot Nose Syndrome" or SNS. It's an upper respiratory infection, but it's not kennel cough. She's showing some initial mild signs of it, sneezing and what not. She'll be on antibiotics and we'll keep an eye on her.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see the kid's reactions to me when I pick them up this afternoon after being gone so long. Especially Duncan who doesn't seek out attention, but gets it from me anyway. Debbie just loves Barbra and shows more excitement when she sees her than she does me! That's normal for a rescue dog though. They often bond very strongly with the first person who keeps them for a time after rescue. But I know she was happy and content while I was away. I'm waiting impatiently for it to be time to pick them up!

Dog Sitting

2007-08-08T11:46:00.000-05:00

Poor Duncan and Debbie! I was out of town all last week and the kids had to stay with our friend Ron again. A whole week! I've got another trip coming up here that is going to be for TWO weeks! They'll each be staying with their foster parents so I know they'll be well taken care of by people who know and understand shy shleties. They have done just fine so far, but I hate being away from them! And I hope they don't think I'm abandoning them and "taking them back."

Scottish Dog...

2007-08-08T11:36:00.000-05:00

Duncan's made it to Sheltie Nation again! Check him out!

Goodbye Marigold

2007-08-04T21:36:00.000-05:00

Marigold passed away on Thursday morning August 2nd. She had not eaten or drank in several days and so was telling her foster parents that it was time. It is a blessing though that she was able to have even a small amount of time away from the puppy mill experiencing some semblance of a normal life.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to adopt two healthy shelties. So many more do not come to as good of an end. Although Mariold was only able to experience a short time outside of the puppy mill life, there are many more mill dogs who are just euthanized or worse when they are no longer useful to their owners.

Thanks to Mariold's foster parents (who were also Duncan's foster parents) for giving Marigold the best to be given, and for keeping her from suffering when it was time to let her go.

New Featured Adoptable - Merlin!

2007-07-24T17:48:00.000-05:00

Meet Merlin! He is another Sheltie up for adoption with LL Dog Rescue! Merlin is a very sweet and playful Blue Merle colored Sheltie. (One of my favorite colors!) Merlin was the first dog to ever make my Duncan jealous by nudging his head under my hand to be petted and seeking out attention. You can read more about Merlin Here and you can also meet him at the Petco in Overland Park at 75th and Metcalf 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the following Saturdays: April 7 & 21. May 5 & 19. June 2 & 16. July 7 & 21. August 4 & 18. September 1 & 15. October 6 & 20. November 3 & 17. December 1 & 15. Or at the Petco at 136th and Blackbob in Olathe on 4th Sunday of every month, 11am-3pm.

I would even encourage my parents to adopt Merlin, I think he's so wonderful! Ha! Someone please adopt this sweet boy!

Stetson the Rocket Dog

2007-07-24T17:14:00.000-05:00

I found a very fun website the other day! This Sheltie is called Stetson the Rocket Dog. You really MUST check out his website! Stetson actually likes to launch model rockets using is P.A.L. (Paw Activated Launch)! Seriously! He loves it. Check out all the videos on his site of all his launches as well as a news story featuring him. Only a Sheltie!

Marigold Update

2007-07-24T16:52:00.000-05:00

I recieved some sad news today about my last Featured Adoptable, Marigold. Glenn sent me an email with the following:

She hadn't been eating very well so we did an Xray Friday and it showed a mass in her abdomen. I took her in for an ultra sound today and her spleen has excess blood in it but the real problem is her liver has some metastized lesions and they are not operable. They said they would recommend she be put down but we brought her home and will let her enjoy life away from the puppy mill until we feel the time is right. We don't expect it to be very long though as her appetite isn't very good.

It's just not fair. The poor girl. Please be thinking of her and pray that she enjoys the time that she does have.

Debbie's Debut

2007-07-13T10:39:00.000-05:00

Debbie has made her debut on Sheltie Nation! She's so cute!

Debbie has started some serious playing with me. She likes to play crouch and chase with me. She'll crouch down and bound away as I chase after her. Then I'll crouch down and run away as she chases after me. It's so cute! Duncan seems to be coming closer to watch us and is definitely interested in what we are doing. Last night when I got home from work I took Debbie out in the back yard and walked up the hill with her. We played chase a little bit, and then as I walked back down the hill, she decided she needed to herd me down the hill - bounding from side to side behind me. It was so wonderful to see! Perhaps we'll have to see about trying her out with some herding. I'll have to check into if there are any local herding clubs. I'm sure there are. Start her out with some ducks maybe. She definitely has a stronger herding instinct than Duncan does. Of course, she is quite a bit younger than he is too. (Although Duncan definitely does not act like he's 9 years old.) Watching Debbie and I definitely seems to be having a good affect on him though. They are both doing so well!

Debbie Affects Duncan

2007-07-09T16:36:00.000-05:00

It's so funny to see how Duncan acts differently because Debbie is around. There's just subtle little things that I've started to see. Like brushing. Duncan certainly is no saint yet, and definitely is not carefree about being brushed. However, the first time I brushed Debbie (who was a complete angel when I did) Duncan watched closely. He saw that Debbie did not jump or snap or react negatively in any way. When it was his turn and she watched him, it was like he didn't want her to see him be a baby about it when she had been so good. He was not happy about it, but he laid down and did not move, jump or snap at all. Can you say ego?

And then there's being in the backyard. Duncan has never really seemed to care for me being out side with him. He seems to prefer to have the yard to himself. However, Debbie wants you to go out with her, and stays close to you when she does. She'll follow me all the way up the hill (and if you haven't seen my yard, it's a big hill) she'll find a spot to potty and then will be right back by my side. Sometimes she likes to play chase. She'll crouch down and dart away. I'll chase after her a bit before we go back inside. Duncan on the other hand stays out of the way and tends to stay on the opposite side of the yard. If I were to chase Duncan at all, the poor little guy would be terrified of me, even though he's seen me playing with both Debbie and Hannah that way. But, this weekend he started to come up to me out in the backyard while I was with Debbie. At one point he even let me pet him, something he rarely let's me do when we're out there.

Both of them are also becoming masters of coming into the house right away. Duncan has been getting better and better, and rarely does anything but come right inside with me holding the door open now! As for Debbie, the fireworks this week seem to have cured her of the nervousness she seemed to have in coming through the back door. At least they were good for something. But now I'm having trouble getting both of them to go outside they're so afraid of the "crack" of bottle rockets still going off in the neighborhood. Debbie had her very first accident the day after the 4th because she didn't want to go outside. Poor kids.

But, progress is being made. Duncan is getting ready to start an obedience class hopefully pretty soon here. There is one on Thursdays starting soon, but I'm going to be out of town part of the time so I'm not sure if we'll start then or not. This will be very good for Duncan!

Sheltie Angel Tribute

2007-07-08T06:52:00.000-05:00

I found out some sad news this morning. Our friend Thumbelena is now a Sheltie Angel. Thumbelena was adopted by Barbra, one of the rescue volunteers with LL Dog Rescue. Barbra fostered my Little Debbie and Debbie became pretty attached to her. She still gets very excited when she sees Barbra.

Thumbelena passed away on Wednesday morning July 4th at 2:30 am. You might think from the picture here that Thumbelena was a puppy, but she was a full grown, purebred Sheltie girl; all 2.5 to 3 pounds of her (depending on the day.) She was also a puppy mill rescue and was surrendered having never been bred because as the breeder said "She's too small." Gee, do ya think? Thumbelena was born with underdeveloped kidneys, a sad effect of puppy mill breeding everywhere. Mill breeders rarely test their breeding stock for hereditary disease, and are generally not concerned about bettering the breed through their program - just making money. Unhealthy dogs like Thumbelena are the unfortunate result of this carelessness.

But, despite her health, Thumbelena was a bright, happy little girl. She was a great cuddler (I can speak from experience as I got to snuggle with her for awhile at the reunion picnic last month) and loved to play. She was an incredibly sweet and loving little girl. That is, unless you brought the comb out, at which point she became a fierce attacker (of the comb.) She lived as if she didn't know how sick she was. We should all have such zest!

I know Barbra is just heart broken right now. I remember sobbing myself to sleep the night that Charlotte died. It's so hard to loose a pet. Thumbelena lived months and months longer than she was expected to because of the great care that Barbra gave her, and Duncan Debbie and I will be thinking of her!

"They Gain Their Wings"

Shelties do not die,
they only gain their wings and fly.
They will play again I pray,
in those green fields far away.
Past the gaits of pearly white,
with other loved ones gone from our sight.
We will see them once again
at a place called Rainbows end,
with a wag of a tail and a jump in the air,
we will once again become a pair.
Don't be sad this day my friend,
just look for the bridge called Rainbows end,
and remember, "Shelties do not die,
they gain their wings and learn to fly".

by L. Marie Crane

Famous Duncan

2007-07-06T14:08:00.000-05:00

Duncan has been honored with a spot on "Sheltie Nation" again. Check him out!

Fourth of July

2007-07-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

The poor kids. Yesterday was a pretty difficult day for Duncan and Debbie. We did not go for our walk just to be safe because both of them are terrified of the fireworks. And as if the fireworks weren't bad enough, a thunderstorm rolled through yesterday afternoon as well. They spent some time in their kennel together, and seemed to be much more comfortable. They are looking forward to going for their walk again this afternoon since they were couped up all day yesterday.

Duncan's Pics

2007-07-05T09:29:00.000-05:00

I've added (finally) Duncan's Picture to Duncan Goes to Scotland. And here another as well.

Debbie the Lawnmower

2007-07-03T14:37:00.000-05:00

I mowed the lawn the other day. It really needed it, but had been raining so much lately that I just haven't been able to get it done!. So Sunday afternoon I put Duncan in the house so I could mow. Debbie did not want to go in so I figured I would start the lawnmower and that would encourage her to go inside. Nope. Didn't work that way. The mower didn't bother her one bit. She followed me up to the top of the hill, and then herded me and the lawnmower back and forth, back and forth all the way down the hill. She stayed a few feet off to the side and a few steps behind me and just made sure I kept on going, back and forth. Silly Little Debbie!

PETCO Foundation Calendar Pet Photo Contest

2007-06-28T09:40:00.001-05:00

Vote for Debbie and Duncan in the PETCO Foundation's Photo Contest! Winners will be included in next year's callendar and all proceeds will go to the PETCO Foundation!

Vote for: Little Debbie

Vote for: Duncan Hines

Duncan Goes to Scotland

2007-06-27T12:09:00.000-05:00

Duncan is home now from his road trip. We drove up to Michigan for my cousin's wedding this weekend and he came with us. He had a little trouble getting used to jumping up into my Mom's big SUV, but eventually got the hang of it. He never made a sound when we were on the road. He slept most of the way on and off actually. Every once-in-awhile he would get up, turn around in his seat and lay back down. It's about a fifteen hour trip, and Duncan was amazing. We stayed at my Dad's house and Duncan seemed just as comfortable there as he would have at home. He spent most of his time on my bed, but did curl up with me on the couch one night while we watched a movie. The town we traveled to is Alma, Michigan; the town where I was born actually. Alma is known as "Scotland, USA"; obviously a great deal of Scottish influence in the original settlement. I'll be loading a picture shortly of Duncan in front of the city sign. We got back to Kansas City on Monday night. I dropped Duncan at home and went to pick up Debbie. Thanks again so much to Ron and Sparky for watching her for me. Sparky evidently fell in love with Debbie.

When I got Debbie home Duncan gave me a great big scare. As I was trying to get Debbie into the house (she's still a little hesitant about going through the front door) Duncan bolted and started trotting down the street in the direction we usually go for our walks. Not to worry. He's home safe now and fine. But boy he scared me to death. I always thought if he got away from me I would never catch him. Debbie and I (still on her leash) took off after him walking briskly-not running so we wouldn't scare Duncan and make him go faster. He wasn't running from me though. He just trotted calmly down the street, looking back at me over his shoulder occasionally. He wasn't running away. It was like he was saying, "Mom, we've been in the car all day long, and I want to go for my walk. So I'm going, whether you like it or not." He got about two blocks down the street before someone came out the front door of their house. He couldn't deal with that and turned right around and walked back to me. I was his confidence I guess. He came right to me and I bent over and switched Debbie's leash to him and picked her up and headed home-completely out of breath from the adrenaline pumping through me. I couldn't believe it. Got to be more careful! So, once I calmed down I went ahead and put them both on their own leashes and took them to the park for a walk. Duncan needed it I guess.

More Love

2007-06-13T21:19:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make. I was a little worried when I got Debbie that, because she seeks out attention while Duncan does not, I would find myself favoring her. I was afraid that she and I might become closer, leaving him out-regardless of how unintentional. However, last night I realized (or remembered rather, I knew this) that love multiplies, not divides. I looked at Duncan last night when the three (four including Gracie) of us got into bed, that I loved him even more than I did before we got Debbie. The beauty that I see in Debbie has only served to distinguish the beauty that I see in Duncan, and my love for each of them magnifies the love I have for the other. Even though Duncan does not really enjoy snuggling and cuddling (although he puts up with my kisses admirably)he still enjoys walking with me. He still sleeps close by, and he still likes to go with me where ever I can take him. I still see that Sheltie smile and that wonderful look of love in his eyes when I glance over at him in the passenger seat in the car.

Summer Picnic

2007-06-12T16:17:00.000-05:00

Saturday was the LL Dog Rescue Reunion Picnic and Duncan, Debbie and I all went. Debbie again did beautifully on her leash, and Duncan did wonderfully among the crowd of people! He handled it like a pro! I was so proud of him. We got there around 11:00 and spread out a blanket in the shade. We ate lunch and visited with a great many other rescued dogs and Shelties. There were so many beautiful Shelties! Duncan was having a great time saying hello to the other dogs, and Debbie was busy trying to get as much attention from her foster mom Barbra as she could. Very cute.

Here's a pic that gives you some idea of all the people and many dogs who were there. And then there's Debbie and I.
They wore their Petco ball caps and looked so cute. Duncan's bandanna says "Adopted With Love." I wish I had known I was going to get Debbie when I bought that at the Kansas City Pet Expo. I would have gotten two. But Debbie looks incredibly cute in her checkered bandanna too.

Debbie slept in her kennel on Friday and Saturday nights. And then on Sunday I put her on the bed with Duncan and I. I turned out the lights and she moved around to settle down and get comfortable...and promptly fell off the bed. Poor baby. But we got her back up and she settled down, nudging her little nose into my belly occasionally. Silly girl.

Duncan Hines and Little Debbie

2007-06-11T16:22:00.001-05:00

We have had a busy weekend! Debbie came home on Friday night. I had put Duncan outside and Gracie in the bathroom so Debbie could check out the house without any pressure. She came into the house a little timidly, but walked in on her own. She did not have to be carried. She spent some time checking out the living room and Barbra and I petted her some. She seemed very attached to Barbra, which is not unusual for a rescue. They often get very attached to those who rescue them.

Then I brought Gracie out of the bathroom to meet her. I could not have asked for that meeting to go any better! Gracie did not hiss or act contrary in any way to Debbie's presence. As a matter of fact she walked past Debbie at one point and rubbed the length of her body under Debbie's chin, the way cats do.

Then we took Debbie out to meet Duncan in the back yard. Duncan was of course very interested in Debbie, but was wary of Barbra being there. And Debbie wanted to stay close to Barbra. We went back inside again after a bit and signed adoption paperwork. Then I took Debbie back outside so she wouldn't see Barbra leave through the front door. As soon as Barbra left Debbie turned on to me like a light switch. She immediately looked to me for attention and comfort and confidence. Where she had clung to Barbra only a minute before, she now clung to me.

Since Debbie's confidence was so much higher than Duncan's had been when I'd gotten him, I felt it would be ok to take the two of them out for a walk that night. We needed to get at least a little practice with the leash since we would be going to the reunion picnic the next day. So we went to our favorite park and walked the path once. Debbie started out a little futzy with the leash, but very soon she had gotten the idea and was trotting alongside Duncan! She does tend to speed up and slow down and doesn't seem to have the concept of a steady pace, but she did so incredibly well for her first walk.

We then stopped by my parents house to meet them and their dog Hannah, another thing I would never have been able to do with Duncan on the first day. Hannah was very interested in playing with Debbie, and while Debbie met everyone with no problem, she understandably was not in a mood to play yet. Hannah usually goes on our walk with Duncan and I, so I felt bad she hadn't gotten to go with us that day. So, I let Duncan stay with my parents for awhile and I took Hannah and Debbie back for another round at the park ... more practice for Debbie. Again, she did beautifully.

Afterwards, we spent the rest of the evening quiet at home. And at bedtime I put Debbie in her kennel for the night and gave her a treat. She laid down and I didn't hear a thing out of her till about 8:30 the next morning!

Featured Adoptable - Marigold

2007-06-07T16:59:00.000-05:00

Meet Marigold! I met her last week at the Adopt-A-Pet days at Petco. Merigold reminds me of my Duncan in many ways. She is also a puppy mill girl and is also a little shy, although she is not as shy as Duncan was the first time I met him. She was out of her kennell for awhile and visited with us. She actually looks a little like my Duncan in the face a little too. She does need come patience and love. You can see her here on Petfinder! Won't someone adopt this sweet girl?

Obedience

2007-06-07T13:37:00.001-05:00

Duncan is doing so well! I guess I could start almost every post with that statement. We continue to work on new commands. He is gaining more confidence with his "sit." He normally backs up a couple steps before sitting, probably to give himself a little distance from me so that if he decides I'm going to hurt him he has more time to jump back up to where he can move again. But he's not backing up as much as he has been. And he definitely, definitely knows what sit means. He is also beginning to understand what "lay down" means. We worked on both for awhile last night as well as "shake." Shake is going to be a little more difficult for him because he's so sensitive about his paws. I'm not sure if he lived on wire in the puppy mill like Debbie did, but he is definitely protective of his little feet. He has yet to willingly give me his paw when I ask him to shake, but he is getting better about not pulling his paw away from me when I take it. We'll keep working on that as it will help in his grooming as well.

Our Little Debbie comes home to us tomorrow afternoon and we are very excited! We are also very excited about the reunion picnic for LL Dog Rescue on Saturday! Duncan really enjoys meeting other dogs at the park, so a whole picnic full of people with their adopted dogs is just going to thrill him! We're going to have so much fun! I'll be sure to take my camera and get lots of pictures!

Duncan of Sunnybrook Farm

2007-06-04T09:53:00.000-05:00

Duncan had a very big day yesterday. We went up to our Pastor's farm north of Smithville for a Priesthood meeting and picnic. There were about 50 people there and Duncan did EXTREMELY well! I was so proud of him! He was of course a little nervous at first, but became comfortable fairly quickly. He walked around with me and visited different people letting them pet him and he even exhibited his curiosity and walked around on his retractable leash saying hi to different people while I sat on the ground and ate my dinner! This is a picture of part of the group that Duncan was socializing with.

The last time we were at the farm, Duncan met Dash the miniature horse. He was very interested in Dash and wanted to walk right up to him and sniff and say hi. I think he thought Dash was just another big dog! They also have some goats, horses, and cows as well, and Duncan seemed perfectly comfortable around the animals. This goat was herded up onto this trailer by our Pastor's Border Collie puppy Buster. In this pic he is keeping an eye on Duncan to make sure he is not coming after him.

Here are some additional pictures of him hanging out with his friends Bud and Nancy. I just could not believe how well he did with such a large group of people. He was certainly cautious, but that is normal for most Shelties. Everyone there was excited to see Duncan too because I had talked about him in my sermon the week before. They couldn't believe that this was the same dog that I had described as I had first met him in all his quivering fright. Mark one up for Duncan Hines! By the time we got in the car to head for home, Duncan was one sleepy boy!

Sheep for the Shelties

2007-06-01T12:14:00.000-05:00

I was at a store last night searching for some fabric to cut into bandannas for Duncan with pinking shears. I found the most adorable fabric. I'll be attaching a picture here shortly, but it is a green fabric with red and white checkered hearts and little sheep! So I am going to cut some of these up and sell them for a donation of like $3 or $5 or something and donate the proceeds to LL Dog Rescue.

Please note: These will not be hemed or sewn, just cut with pinking shears (the cute jagged edge that slows fraying.) I will also use adhesive velcro so you don't have to mess with tying among your Sheltie's fur! If you would like one, I will be at the At Adopt-a-Pet days at the Petco in Overland Park this Saturday with Duncan. Or, if you are not in Kansas City send me an email and we can work something out like mailing me a money order, or paying via PayPal. I may put these up on Ebay as well! I got some other really cute fabrics too!

So! Make a donation to the Shelties and get yours a great bandanna!