I came to Second Chance Sheltie Rescue (SCSR) in October 2007 after a life spent as a stud dog in a backyard puppy mill.  My coat was in horrible shape, sparse and like straw due to poor nutrition.  I was missing part of my right ear - a wide strip, right up the middle.  (You see, some puppy mills tag their dogs like livestock, and the condition of my ear appears to be consistent with a tag that had been ripped out, perhaps in a fight or from getting caught on something.)  Shortly after coming in to rescue, I was neutered and given a dental exam. My teeth were in such bad shape, again from poor nutrition, that 10 of them had to be pulled.  Worst of all, I tested positive for heartworms.  It was going to be an uphill battle, but at 14 lbs, I was tough & tried to act like nothing was wrong with me.  I had such a happy disposition from the moment I met my new owner, who was the SCSR volunteer chosen to foster me until I could find my forever home. My little tail wagged all the time.  I was just so grateful to have someone caring for me.

I underwent treatment for heartworms and they started working with me on house training and manners, preparing me for the day when my treatments would be over and I could be adopted.  Over the next several weeks, I would cough and gag occasionally as the dissolving heartworms worked their way through my system.  But all the while, I kept my little tail wagging. I successfully made it through my treatments and was cleared for adoption.  But as fate would have it, one very promising adoption fell through, followed by another.  It was at that point that my foster care parent realized that I was already home.  I belonged with her!

 

My forever home became official when I was adopted in January 2008.  I am the most joyful little fellow...an adorable little munchkin who is full of tail wags for everyone I meet!  If anyone ever doubts the power of quality food and care, they only need to look at a dog like me. I was a little Sheltie with the coat like straw and now I have a soft shiny coat that is full and thick.  My eyes gleam and I have the energy to bound around the yard, trying desperately to herd the bigger Shelties in my unofficial role as yard monitor.  I have quickly and thoroughly wiggled my way deep into my families' heart.  I really have to tip my hat to fate for stepping in and assuring that I ended up right where I belonged.  I could not imagine not being a part of this family!