Ryder’s elderly owner passed away suddenly and her family urgently needed help finding a new home for him. He had been loved but was not living in the best conditions at the time. We were able to jump into action and in one marathon day, Ryder was brought up-to-date on his core vaccines, tested for heartworm and tickborne diseases, tested for fecal parasites, microchipped, met several other dogs, both big and small, met children, and got a much needed bath. He handled everything like the awesome Collie that he is.

Two days later he met and then moved in with his foster family, who had checked all of the right boxes for experience, references, environment, etc. but sadly, only 3 days later decided that they weren’t cut out for fostering. We had no other immediate options than to place him in a boarding facility. Several weeks later he was able to move into his current foster home where he will live and continue to learn while he waits for his forever home.

Ryder just turned 6-yrs old on May 20th. He is in the prime of his life! Ryder was neutered on Monday the 22nd and is available for adoption.

Ryder is house-trained and generally well-behaved. He loves to play with the other dogs in his foster home and will do best with other compatible dogs for size, energy level, and temperament. His former owner reported that he is good with cats but the rescue has not had an opportunity to directly evaluate him for cats. Ryder becomes anxious when placed in a crate, and has not yet learned how to navigate a full flight of stairs. We are working to help him learn these skills.

Ryder will need help learning not to pull on-leash or jump onto friends when he is excited. Ryder rides well in the car. He got along with every dog and person that he met during several hours of evaluation and this has not changed since. He does alert-bark when he sees something new that he doesn’t understand, and at some strangers. He would bark at the window when people would come to the door at his former home, and his greetings could be exuberant, but he quickly calmed down. In general he is exactly what we would expect from a normal Collie with all of the potential for a wonderful life, who just needs some help understanding what is expected for a dog living in a world of humans.

If you are interested in being the person who gives him the awesome life that he deserves and craves, please download, complete, and submit an application below.

Meet Max the 7-yr old collie, and Milo the 5-yr old sheltie.

Max and Milo are a bonded pair who have been taking care of each other since June when their owner went into the hospital. He arranged for a neighbor to stop in to feed them and provide basic care, hoping that he would be able to rejoin them after a short stay. Sadly, this will not be possible, as he has recently entered hospice care.

Max and Milo rely on each other and would really like to be able to stay with each other, and an experienced home that can adopt them both would be ideal. We will consider rehoming them individually only if we are unable to find a home where they can be together.

Max, the collie, is the more confident leader of the two. Because he hasn’t always been good with some other dogs, Max cannot be rehomed with another dog, other than Milo.

Milo, the sheltie, is timid and fearful and will take time to warm up to any new person. He showed no reactivity, nor aggression resulting from his fearfulness, preferring rather to run and hide in his safe spot. We think Milo would do fine with or without another dog.

Max is protective of Milo, but not reactive nor aggressive. He may also prefer to have most of the attention to himself. Showing his true collie herding instinct, he will simply insert himself between the perceived threat and his brother to skillfully separate the two.

• Both are house trained and have been using an electronic doggy door to access their own yard for potty and other breaks as needed.
• Both were OK on leash but will need some patient training to truly understand the concept.
• A physically fenced yard will be required.
• They do not have experience with stairs.
• They do not have experience with cats.
• They have been groomed regularly throughout their lives and have had regular veterinary care. But, living in farm country, they have otherwise had limited exposure to the wider world.
• Older children who can be calm and understand not to chase nor expect a dog to immediately cuddle up to them will be acceptable.
• Patient, experienced adults who also understand the same concepts will be required.

These beautiful dogs are diamonds in the rough and have not yet found their full potential. If you think you can help them find their full beauty and potential please download, complete, and submit an application below.

They have only a limited amount of time in their current location, so please don’t dawdle if you plan to apply.