California Transport Request

Folks, the pygmy goat rescue people helped us with the Montana collies and now they need our help with a serious rescue that is going on right now. Immediate transport by car is needed for up to 3 pygmy goats from California to Oregon or Washington. They travel in large dog crates on a bed of straw or hay, and wear collars and leashes for toileting exercise. If you are traveling in that area immediately, please contact Michael Anderson, sgervais@eburg.com.

Montana Collie Play Dates

I thought you would be pleased to know some of the Montana collies are having a play date today. One of the boys I worried about because he always had to be walked separately and not put in the exercise runs with the other males because they picked on him is living like a king now. He has other collie housemates with whom he gets along just fine. He has his own personal throne, too, the couch. His person reports, “At least 5 times a day he dumps all of the pillows on the floor, stretches out, and takes a nap.” She told me he runs and plays constantly, cools off in the creek, and looks forward to these play dates with his other Montana collie friends. His new name is Montana Jean—I am honored.

You will love this article about BC! We are all so happy for him.

My BC

The day had finally arrived. It was a day I had tried hard not to dream of but nevertheless it was always in the back of my mind. Through all the emotional ups and downs of the last eight months, through two trials, and constantly thinking and worrying about the Camp Collie animals, today I was signing the adoption papers for BC and taking him to his forever home. And I was terrified! I didn’t have a clue how I was going to get this fragile, damaged dog to trust me and feel safe in his new home. I was so afraid of doing something to put back that terrified look in his eyes.

He had made such improvements at Camp Collie. When I was near his kennel he would jump up and down and wag his tail to show how happy he was to see me. And as I worked near his pen I would catch him watching me with those soft brown eyes that seemed to say, “Please come over and talk to me, I would like to be your friend.” He was also getting pretty good on a leash, and I didn’t want to ruin his progress. I knew that the only way I could get him to ever feel safe and happy in his new home was with the help of my three furry, four-legged friends. I was counting on my three cocker spaniel crosses to help me convince BC that he was in a good place and could relax. Sophie met him first and wanted to play. Libby Loo looked at him, sniffed and said, “ Mom did it again! She brought home another critter. Well as long as he doesn’t eat my food, maybe we can be friends.” And Dylan, my young cocker/border collie just looked scared as this very large dog poked him with his nose. BC was a total gentleman with them all and was just interested in being friends. After lots of sniffing, BC settled down in his new kennel and seemed to realize this was an o.k. place to live.

I spent time with him after work each day trying to entice him with bits of steak and chicken to come to me. He would take the food out of my hand, but was still very wary. One night not long after I brought him home I was throwing the ball for Dylan. BC started jumping up and down and throwing his toys in the air. He saw another dog having fun and wanted some too!! So I let him out of his kennel and he chased after Dylan and the ball, not really understanding the game but loving it nonetheless.

And then came the zoomies!! BC and Dylan would start to run around my yard as fast as possible and zoom in and out of trees, the garden and my other two dogs. BC’s legs are twice as long as Dylan’s and sometimes he would just run right over the top of his little friend. BC thought this was great fun and Dylan seemed to forgive the big dog for his clumsiness. It was wonderful to see BC experiencing and liking his new world. He ran and played like a young puppy and smiled that wonderful collie smile that I’ve seen so often with the Camp Collie dogs.

Every day I see progress. He comes in the house now, but stairs are still a mystery to him. He is getting used to the TV, but the other household noises like the phone still scare him. He understands the cookie jar is filled with doggie treats and will take one from my hand. BC learned about the toy basket I keep in the living room. He likes to rummage around till he finds the toy he wants and then he prances around the house with it in his mouth. When he lets me, I will stroke his nose with one finger, but petting him is out of the question. He is just not ready for that yet. It will take time, but I have time and patience. And my other dogs are the tools I will use to teach him that his new world is safe and forever. I look forward to the time that I will wake in the night to fight a collie for a corner of the blanket and my half of the pillow. I don’t know if my bed is big enough for three cocker spaniels and a collie, but that is a problem I won’t mind having.

I feel so blessed that this fragile dog that has been through things I don’t ever want to know about is giving me his trust. I will never forget the first day I saw him, filthy and terrified, cowering in his stall at the barn in Shelby. That mental picture is always in the back of my mind. So it was really a surprise to me when one night as I watched him zoom around my yard with the sun turning his coat to shades of red and gold, it stuck me that BC really is a Beautiful Collie!

Calmly,

Jean Levitt, President AWCA

and the Officers and Members of AWCA