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Description
Shelby, my 3+1/2 year old bi-black Sheltie. She was rescued through the Okanagan Collie Rescue 2 years ago. She had been kept outside in Alberta all year long in a kennel with other dogs at a "breeders" -- can't have been too reputable if they wouldn't let the rescue foundation actually onto their property but delivered the dog to a gas station parking lot for the exchange. At least they have the decency to contact the OCR when they no longer want a dog or can't sell it for profit -- it does show they would like the dog to find a loving and very-thoroughly checked-out-for-approval home.

Since she had been outside 24-7 at the kennel her black coat had been sunburnt into a horrible orange color. She was very shy and timid -- as a lot of rescues are since they're usually mistreated She didn't know how to walk up or down stairs. She didn't know how to play (and still doesn't always bring the ball back to us now that she does know how to play). When she arrived, the OCR had given her a yellow stuffed duck that she was very attached to. We named it Duckie and it's pretty much her baby. We figured she was a "kennel Mom" to puppies even though she never had puppies of her own...we think this because she has several stuffed duckies now and she seems to treat them like babies by carrying them around, and when they get misplaced (by us on purpose) she will gradually put them all back in place in her bed in the living room.

Now that we've had her for 2 years, she has really come into her own. We took several obedience classes, did some one-on-one personal trainer stuff, and did group dog walks (this helped immensely to get her socialized with other dogs because she was afraid and unsure of other dogs and people). We still work on her behavior issues (she is a Sheltie "with the tail up" -- meaning she is aggressive and charges the fence at one of our neighbors that she hates). But she is otherwise excellent with commands and obedience.

Just had to add a happy photo after submitting a memorial picture of my beloved cat who I had to put down this past weekend.

Thanks for taking the time to view the pic. Hope you get a chuckle out of Shelby's smirking, toothy grin! I know I do!!

Description
Shelby, my 3+1/2 year old bi-black Sheltie. She was rescued through the Okanagan Collie Rescue 2 years ago. She had been kept outside in Alberta all year long in a kennel with other dogs at a "breeders" -- can't have been too reputable if they wouldn't let the rescue foundation actually onto their property but delivered the dog to a gas station parking lot for the exchange. At least they have the decency to contact the OCR when they no longer want a dog or can't sell it for profit -- it does show they would like the dog to find a loving and very-thoroughly checked-out-for-approval home.

Since she had been outside 24-7 at the kennel her black coat had been sunburnt into a horrible orange color. She was very shy and timid -- as a lot of rescues are since they're usually mistreated She didn't know how to walk up or down stairs. She didn't know how to play (and still doesn't always bring the ball back to us now that she does know how to play). When she arrived, the OCR had given her a yellow stuffed duck that she was very attached to. We named it Duckie and it's pretty much her baby. We figured she was a "kennel Mom" to puppies even though she never had puppies of her own...we think this because she has several stuffed duckies now and she seems to treat them like babies by carrying them around, and when they get misplaced (by us on purpose) she will gradually put them all back in place in her bed in the living room.

Now that we've had her for 2 years, she has really come into her own. We took several obedience classes, did some one-on-one personal trainer stuff, and did group dog walks (this helped immensely to get her socialized with other dogs because she was afraid and unsure of other dogs and people). We still work on her behavior issues (she is a Sheltie "with the tail up" -- meaning she is aggressive and charges the fence at one of our neighbors that she hates). But she is otherwise excellent with commands and obedience.

Just had to add a happy photo after submitting a memorial picture of my beloved cat who I had to put down this past weekend.

Thanks for taking the time to view the pic. Hope you get a chuckle out of Shelby's smirking, toothy grin! I know I do!!