Originally, this was not my plan at all. Although I knew I had a lot of time on my hands, since I was now on permanent social security disability and had recently acquired a lump sum payment from the goverment, I didn't really wish for all the work or cost involved in buying/raising a young puppy. The last time I cared for a puppy was when I was 13-14 years old with Sullivan, my first dog (ie. a beagle from a litter of 10 with a backyard breeder), and now I was 42. Then I had much more physical energy and flexability, as well as daydreams come true about getting my 1st dog! Still, at that age they were but fantasies, and I hadn't yet learned from reading or actual experiences of all the realities of raising & training a puppy, no matter what breed I got. -- If only I could have known then what I know now, Sullivan may have had a much healthier, fun, appreciated and longer life than I (ie. controlled by my parents, primarily my mother), gave her back in those days (ie. 70-81')!!
My most recent experience with a dog was with Cimarron, a beautiful, dark sable sheltie that I took care of for 13 years and put down in May, 1998, close to the age of 17. I had adopted/rescued her when she was surrendered by a young couple to the shelter where I used to work in 1985. Cim was close to 4 years old, according to her AKC papers, (ie. which most adopters wouldn't receive, in case they should have the idea of "breeding a purebred for profit"). I also found out through contacting the dog's breeder that I was her third owner in that less than 4 year period, since the person who purchased Cim from the breeder gave her up after a year "for shedding".
After working for the shelter for a year, it still astounded me when or why so many beautiful and well-mannered dogs & cats were brought to the shelter
because people didn't think about all of the potential situations that can occur with bringing home such a pet. Also, it made me very angry that individuals would often blame the animal for its lack of house or obedience training, etc. Typically we'd hear: "Ohhhh, It ate my sofa, bit the neighbor's kid or crapped in the living room when I was at work!", et. al. Worse yet was when a cat was turned in "because its hair didn't match the carpeting or other furnishings", orrrr... "it kept going into heat every 3 weeks and kept everyone awake crying" and/or "just had too many litters"!!!!!
By this time you see, when I decided to adopt Cimarron, I was in my late 20s and had gone through college, some grad. school and took a course in professional dog grooming. Since having my first dog, Sullivan, I had been voraciously studying biology, animal behavior, pet care and companion animal management, along with my personal reading of many resources for dog care and specific breed characteristics. I knew the next dog/breed I wanted to get would be either a sheltie or golden retriever, because of its reputation of being a breed that's usually easy to train, always wishing to please its handler, as well having a type of coat that I could groom easily. Cimarron and I then had a spiritual connection from the very beginning. From the moment I found out there was this sheltie surrendered and I saw her in the cage, along with when I asked permission from my parents (ie. whose house where I living at that time), I knew she was meant to be my companion for the rest of her life! And INDEED, SHE WAS!!
Now, while my experiences, both successes and failures, with Cimarron certainly influenced my love of shelties as a breed, I wondered if there was the possibility that getting a puppy of that breed wouldn't be the good choice for me. For the last 15 years, I never really had to worry about puppy chewing or housebreakng, because those stages were over with Cim, though she was totally above getting into the garbage if it was available to her. Also, Cim was already surprisingly well conditioned to grooming when I adopted her, and I faced little to no objections by her for being brushed, bathed, dried and/or clipping her nails, trimming hair around her feet or other sensitive areas. Still, despite Cim's mostly calm demeanor in public, Cimarron's former caretakers had helped to foster some intense fear of storms and a strong desire to "chase" moving people, regardless of the reasons.
From those assorted experiences I had, I first inquired about getting an older dog from a sheltie rescue group, (ie. since I no longer worked at that shelter, nor did I think I would get that lucky twice in my lifetime). As a first or 2nd sheltie, I would have loved to rescue a "little" girl, especially because of my experiences with Cim's adoption. When there wasn't any female available less than 9 years old (ie. emotionally, I wasn't ready to have dog that might only live for 4 or 5 yrs.), I inquired with sheltie breeders recommended through the active membership (ie. conformation participants) of AKC and ASSA. To them I asked about adolescent pups/adults that grew too tall for show or had other faults that disqualified them and mostly assured them being sold as pets. I wanted a female no older than 4 or 5 years, but preferred one less than 2, if possible between 6 months & 2 years. This latter age would be ideal for avoiding the puppy messes, but still young, allowing for early age impression training and positive socialization, perhaps with the ultimate goal of competition in obedience or agility. I asked such breeders in the northern IL area to spread the word around that I was looking for such a sheltie, also preferring another sable or possibly blue merle.
Some Sheltie-Sites On The Web
The Primary Source For Sheltie Information,
The American Shetland Sheepdog Association.
Click here If You'd Like To Join, Shelties,
Our Email Discussion Group On Yahoo!
Easy to read Sheltie history and other F.A.Q.s!
Info. On Herding with the sheltie!
Here Are More First Photos Of Nikki & Buddy
Here Are Some Sources
For Sheltie & Other Graphics!
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